The efficiency of most household appliances can never be 100%. As expected, they are prone to develop faults and trip off occasionally.
Even with high maintenance procedures, your home appliances will become defective over time.
One such appliance is the HVAC system. Are you a homeowner with a defective split AC flap?
Are you wondering why your split AC flap is not properly closing? Well, this is the article for you. So, read on for more details.
There are several reasons why your split AC flap will refuse to close properly. These reasons include; poor power supply, power surges, ice buildup, and dirty air filters. Still, there are other reasons why your AC flap is malfunctioning. However, they are more complex and include a defective motor and insufficient current distribution from the PCB to the motors.
In this article, I’ll explain why your split AC flap is not closing properly. I’ll also explain and give you a detailed exposition on properly closing your AC flap.
By the end, you’ll also learn the troubleshooting processes involved in fixing the swing AC flap.
Six Common Reasons Why My Split AC Flap Is Not Closing Properly
Even the most insignificant change in your AC’s normal working condition will affect how efficiently it functions.
Most times, while these abnormalities can result from negligence by the owner, other times, it could be due to internal factors that may arise due to the continual usage of the device.
Without further ado, I will outline the most significant causes of AC flap issues, especially when it is not turning off as expected.
#1. Age of Your HVAC Unit
Here is the first culprit you should look out for when you split the AC flap and develop issues such as refusing to close properly.
As aforementioned, an AC flap will get defective if it gets put into continual use over time. The plastic material used in making the flap is capable of wearing out.
If your HVAC system flap refuses to close properly, it could be its way of telling you it is long overdue for a replacement.
#2. Power Surge
Sometimes, you may experience a power surge in your home unexpectedly. Unfortunately, this will cause your AC to trip, thereby causing your AC flap to be left ajar.
When the power issue gets rectified, you may notice your AC no longer closing properly.
When you encounter this, always contact the services of a known professional to resolve this issue since it is easily fixable.
The power surge causes the AC compressors to trip unnecessarily, thereby making it work harder to control the air it generates.
If there’s too much workload exerted on the AC, it causes it to slow down its working process after some time. The first mechanical fault is in how the split AC flap closes.
#3. Ice Buildup
Ice buildup on the cooling coil often results in cooling issues and AC flap issues. As this happens, the temperature outside drops below the normal level.
Usually, this happens because the refrigerant level needed to run the AC becomes less than the recommended quantity.
However, to rectify this issue, you should call a professional to help determine your refrigerant level and remove the ice buildup in your AC.
Another disadvantage of ice buildup in your AC is that it emits foul smells and odors, polluting the air in your room.
#4. Defective PCB Unit
Another reason your AC split flap is not closing properly is a defective PCB. The PCB unit is one of the most difficult parts of the AC system to diagnose exactly why it fails.
Still, it can trip due to poor electrical supply, a power surge, physical damages, or when you frequently switch your AC on or off.
#5. Dirty Air Filters
As you continuously use your AC, dirt, and dust are bound to accumulate. Usually, the most prominent plACe where dirt, dust, and debris accumulate is on the air filters.
This dirt creates a form of buildup, thereby restricting the free flow of the swing mechanism on your AC.
Clean your air filters with smooth fabric and detergent if you notice dirty air filters.
However, if after cleaning your AC filters, the split flap is still not closing properly; then your motors are probably damaged.
#6. Defective Motors
Here is another reason your AC flap may not swing or close completely.
A defective motor compartment will not supply the energy required for your swing mechanism to operate effectively.
Also, if the PCB is not sending enough current to the AC motors, there will be an issue with the swing mechanism.
Sadly, most people do not consider this a likely cause of swing mechanism issues, which is untrue. It is only a subtle reason for this issue.
How to Make My Split Ac Flap Close Completely After Turning It Off?
If your split AC flap is not closing completely after turning it off, your first call of action may be to reach out and close it with your hand.
While this may seem like the best way to handle the issue, it is the wrong move you can ever make to fix your split AC flap issues.
As outlined earlier, the major reasons why your AC flap refuses to close properly after you switch it off are due to one fault or the other.
You need to check these faults individually. Suppose you suspect the AC flap has refused to close completely because of a power supply or power.
In that case, the best thing you can do is to use an adaptor or a current regulator.
The regulator will go a long way to help you control the amount of current flowing through your AC unit.
Also, consider cleaning out the vents, cooling, and temperature coils. You can remove ice buildup, dirt, and dust that may have accumulated on your swing mechanics.
Immediately you do this, you should have rectified the issue completely.
However, another reason why the split AC flap does not close completely after turning it off is the age or how long you have been using that particular HVAC system.
As expected, your AC unit will wear out completely as you use it over time. Consider installing a new AC unit if this is the case with your AC flap.
However, if you notice any of the issues mentioned above on your split AC flap, do not hesitate to contact a professional to help you rectify the issue if you cannot fix it yourself.
On the other hand, consider doing a regular maintenance check on your AC unit rather than waiting till it develops a fault.
Ultimately, this will go a long way in ensuring its longevity and efficiency.
How to Troubleshoot the Swing on a Split AC?
We all know that for a split AC to work properly, there has to be an efficient delivery from the functioning swing.
The main reason your AC is not swinging properly is due to issues with the components.
These issues include poor delivery of current from the PCB to the motors, a possible mechanical issue with the motor, defective louvers, and a damaged remote.
Before attempting to troubleshoot the swing on your split AC, you must first understand the various parts of the AC unit that influence the swing’s efficiency by reducing it.
Fixing underlying issues with these various parts helps to fix the swing issue on your split AC automatically.
The table below is a detailed step-by-step guide on troubleshooting some of these compartments on your split AC.
| AC Part | Troubleshooting Procedure |
|---|---|
| Condenser | Clean out every form of dirt or dust blocking the condenser. |
| Circuit breaker | Replace old and defective fuses as soon as possible. |
| Compressor | Inspect, replace, and clean the outdoor compressor when necessary |
| Air filter | Routine change and replace the old air filter. |
| Dampers | All dampers must get installed on vents and set in open positions at once |
| Thermostat | Ensure to set your thermostat on cool mode at all times |
Once you fix the issues with these AC parts, your swing mechanism should start functioning properly. However, if the issue persists, consider replacing your AC system.
