# Car a/c takes long time to start cooling but suddenly very cold **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 9, 2023, 9:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-a-c-takes-long-time-to-start-cooling-but-suddenly-very-cold/190506 "2023-05-09T09:18:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![frank14922\_184146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c6cbf5/32.png) [@frank14922\_184146](https://community.cartalk.com/u/frank14922_184146)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 9:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-a-c-takes-long-time-to-start-cooling-but-suddenly-very-cold/190506/1 "2023-05-09T09:18:08Z")
For a random period of time, there is no a/c (random, 15-30 mins or more.) Then abruptly there is fully cold a/c, not getting gradually colder! Sometimes when cold air starts suddenly possibly a whiff of refrigerant. The system seems to be fully charged when using a home a/c gauge. Any ideas? Thanks so much. This system had pretty much everything new about a year ago. Hyundai Santa Fe 2015. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-a-c-takes-long-time-to-start-cooling-but-suddenly-very-cold/190506/2 "2023-05-09T12:19:52Z")
I’d guess the blend door actuator is failing or the door itself is sticking. Do you hear a faint click-click-click before the rush of cold air? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-a-c-takes-long-time-to-start-cooling-but-suddenly-very-cold/190506/3 "2023-05-09T12:56:55Z")
The expansion valve may be sticking. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/5/e5551b1075140c0ef9e846f91d41beeaef3ecbee.jpeg) The expansion valve regulates the amount of refrigerant that enters the evaporator, and this is what creates the cooling effect. A set of manifold gauges connected to the system will show if this is the problem. Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-a-c-takes-long-time-to-start-cooling-but-suddenly-very-cold/190506/4 "2023-05-09T21:23:49Z")
Another theory, the A/C compressor isn’t running when it should. A/C diagnosis and repair isn’t a very friendly diy’er job. Suggest to take your car to a well-recommended local A/C specialist. If they show you what exactly is broken, and no special A/C equipment needed, then you could decide to effect the repair yourself if you wanted.