An AC that blows cold for a while and then turns warm often has an electrical or cycling problem. We find it at your home or work before quoting a price.

Call 817-709-1357 Text us Request a work order

Call hours: Mon to Fri 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM · Sat 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Car AC in Roanoke

Why your AC works for a while and then quits

An AC that starts cold and fades out is harder to pin down than one that is completely dead. By the time you pull over or get it to a mechanic, it may be working again.

A few causes come up again and again. The compressor clutch may let go when it gets hot because its gap has worn too wide. A relay or a pressure switch may be cutting power to the clutch on and off. If the charge is low, the evaporator can ice over until air barely moves, then thaw and cool again. A cooling fan that quits can let pressures climb until the system shuts itself off for protection.

We can come to you in Roanoke and watch the system while it acts up. Intermittent electrical faults are a big part of what we do well.

Quick facts

Where

Your home, work or roadside in Roanoke

Price

Given before any work starts

Call hours

Mon to Fri 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM · Sat 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Reach us

Call or text 817-709-1357

Warning signs

Patterns that point to an intermittent AC fault

Cold for twenty minutes, then warm

Often a worn clutch gap or a heat-sensitive electrical connection.

Warm air that turns cold again after a short stop

The evaporator may be icing and thawing.

AC drops out at stoplights

Weak airflow across the condenser, often from a cooling fan problem.

Clicking under the hood every few seconds

The clutch cycling rapidly, which can point to a low charge.

Works fine some days and not others

A failing relay or a loose connector is worth checking.

How it works

Catching the problem while it happens

Tell us how long the AC stays cold before it quits and what you are doing when it happens. Driving, idling and sitting in the sun each point somewhere different.

We run the system where your car is parked and let it reach the point of failure. A lab scope shows what the clutch circuit is doing, and thermal imaging shows whether the clutch or condenser is overheating. Once we catch the fault, we explain it and quote the repair. Nothing starts until you approve it. Electrical fixes and small repairs are usually done on the spot, and anything larger gets scheduled.

Around Roanoke

When to call about an AC that cuts out

It is generally safe to drive while this is going on. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, though. If the AC cutting out comes with the engine running warm, a cooling fan may be failing, and that affects the engine as well. Call sooner in that case. Otherwise, jot down when it happens so we have a pattern to work from.

We cover all of Roanoke

Your driveway, your work lot or the roadside, anywhere in Roanoke. Call or text with the year, make and model and what the vehicle is doing.

Call 817-709-1357

Engine work in progress under the hood of a truck

Why Day's

Shop-level work, where you park.

We bring dealer-level diagnostic tools, including a lab scope and a thermal camera, to wherever your vehicle is parked.

Fords are our specialty, built on years of maintaining a construction company's fleet, from cars and light trucks to heavy-duty work trucks.

About Day's

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Questions

Car AC questions from Roanoke.

Why does my AC blow cold and then warm while driving?

Common reasons include a worn compressor clutch that slips once it heats up, an evaporator that freezes over, or an electrical part that cuts out now and then. Each one needs a different repair, so a real diagnosis matters. Text us the pattern you are seeing and we will take it from there.

Can you find a problem that only happens sometimes?

Usually, yes. We run the AC long enough to recreate the failure and watch the circuit with a lab scope while it happens. Intermittent electrical problems are one of our strengths. The more detail you give about when it happens, the better. Give us a call and we will plan a time to watch it happen.

Is an AC that keeps cutting out a sign the compressor is failing?

It can be, but the cause is often something smaller, like the clutch gap, a relay or a sensor. Replacing a compressor without testing first can cost a lot and leave the real problem in place. We rule out the simpler possibilities first and tell you what we find. Request a work order to get started.

What should I write down before you come out?

Note how long the AC stays cold, whether it quits while driving or idling, the outside temperature, and any clicking or smells. If the dash shows a warning or the temperature gauge moves, mention that too. Those notes save diagnostic time. Send them by text when you reach out.

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