If you notice that your Dodge Ram AC is no longer blowing through the vents, you might be in for a hell of a fix. AC problems might happen more often than not depending on how well you take care of your car.
In some cases, a Dodge RAM AC not blowing through vents could be easily be solved by performing a maintenance fix. In other cases, it would require you to change a major component in the AC system to get things fixed.
Read on to learn why your car AC is not blowing through the vents and the right fixes to apply.
Dodge Ram AC Not Blowing Through Vents: Causes
Bad Fuse or Relay
As with other electrical systems in the car, the ventilation system is connected to a fuse to protect the system from getting damaged due to excess current. If the fuse is blown, this will stop the AC system from turning on.
The relay performs just in a similar way. It is a small plastic device used to control the current running through the electrical system of your vehicle. If the relay fails, then the AC would have a problem drawing power from the alternator or battery.
Clogged Air Intake
There is also a possibility that the air intake is clogged and would have to be fixed. The Dodge Ram has two kinds of air intakes – fresh air intake which is drawn from outside the vehicle and re-circulated air from the cabin of the vehicle. Both air intakes are needed for the AC to work properly. If any of them are blocked partially or completely, you would find that that the performance of the AC system would decline.
Faulty Blower Motor
The blower motor drives the air into the cabin through the vents. The blower motor is like a fan that keeps the air circulating in the cabin. The motor could wear down, burn out or get clogged up by foreign matter.
A blower motor problem can be identified by placing your hands near the vents. If you can feel a tiny bit of air with the AC turned up to the max setting, then you’re likely dealing with a blower motor problem. It is different from a blown fuse as you won’t feel any air at all if there is a problem with the fuse.
Bad Air Filter
Right under the hood of your Dodge RAM is an air filter for your engine. You will also find another air filter designed to work for the cabin of your vehicle. It is possible that the cabin air filter is blocked with dust and debris which will limit the air flow coming into the cabin. It could get worse to the point that you won’t receive any airflow in the cabin.
Dodge Ram AC Not Blowing Through Vents: How to Fix
Check for Blown Fuses
If the fuses corresponding to the AC system are blown, the AC won’t be able to work at all. You should start by checking the fuse box for the fuses connecting to the AC. You can check the car manual or you can look for instructions on the fuse box on how to locate the AC fuses.
Check if any of the fuses are blown. If so, replace the blown fuses with new ones of the correct rated amperage.
You can also test the relay by swapping it with another. If the other relay works, then you have solved the problem and can go back to enjoying your AC. You could also do some checkup on the system to pinpoint the actual cause of the current overload so it doesn’t reoccur in the future.
Check the Air Filter Intake
A clogged air filter is not a common problem especially for car owners that know how to maintain their vehicles. If you do check your air filters every time you go for routine maintenance, it is less likely that the air filters are clogged. However, this doesn’t mean you should o0verlook them. Check the air filters to ensure they are free of dust and debris to get the AC system working perfectly.
Clear the Air Intake
The air intake needs to be free for the AC to function properly. If the air intakes are clogged, there will no air passing through so you won’t get any cold air coming out of the vents. You should be able to check the air intake on your own and get rid of any fallen leaves or debris you may find. If not, take the car to your mechanic to have the AC system inspected.
Fix the Blower Motor
If the relay, fuses, air intakes, air filter, and other car components check out, then you’re left with the only likely cause – blower motor failure. There are many reasons why the blower motor would fail and some won’t cost much.
The first would be due to a blown fuse, that is, the fuse connected to the blower motor. You can check the fuse to see if it is blown and replace it.
Next, is to check for broken wiring. If the wiring connection of the blower motor is faulty, the blower might not be receiving enough power or power at all. Check for any frayed or damaged wires and get them fixed.
The final reason why the blower motor is faulty could be that the blower motor simply failed. This should be confirmed by a mechanic. He would inspect the blower motor and tell you if it can be fixed or would have to be replaced.
Final Thoughts
Checking the fuses and relay is a good place to start. You can then switch to checking the air filter and looking through the air intake. It is not really common for the blower motor to fail so this might be the last thing to check. However, if you find that the blower motor is faulty, you should consider getting a mechanic to fix or replace it.
