5 Potential Reasons Your Car’s Air Conditioner is Not Working
May 29, 2020
We bet you didn’t mind your car’s broken air conditioner much this past winter, but summer is just around the corner. In fact, we’ve already had some days that are hot, humid, and sticky — and this is about to become the norm over the next few months. That’s why fixing your car’s air conditioner is a necessity. The time is now!
Before we dive into this article, let’s first take a look at how your car’s air conditioner works.
Low Refrigerant
If your car’s air conditioner is blowing out hot air, it’s probably due to low refrigerant levels. Refrigerant is the chemical that runs throughout the AC system, removing excess heat to create a cool climate in your car’s interior. When there’s not enough refrigerant in circulation, your air conditioner isn’t powerful enough to remove the heat. As a result, the inside of your car is sweltering hot.
Refrigerant levels only drop if there’s a leak in the system. Leaks are most commonly found at the AC unit hose connections, but they can also appear in other places, like the compressor, condenser, or evaporator. However, because refrigerant often changes from a liquid to a gaseous state as it cycles through different parts of the air conditioner, identifying the exact location of the leak can be quite challenging. This task should only be handled by a professional who has access to the right tools and technologies. They can quickly find the leak, patch it up, and recharge the AC system with more refrigerant.
Broken Compressor
The compressor is hailed as the heart of every air conditioner system since it has one of the most important jobs — circulating and compressing the refrigerant. Without a functioning compressor, the refrigerant can’t flow throughout the rest of the system and remove indoor heat. Your cooling fans will just blow out whatever temperature air is available instead.
Little to no use of your car’s air conditioning is actually the most common cause of compressor damage. When the compressor stays dormant for too long, starting it will shock the system, leading to a breakdown or, at the very least, cutting down on its lifespan. How can you avoid this? By running your AC system for 15 minutes at least once a month, even in the winter.
Clogged Condenser
By now, you know that the condenser is responsible for cooling down the liquid refrigerant, so it can continue cycling throughout the AC system. A clog in the condenser will prevent this from happening. When hot refrigerant is what’s running through your air conditioner, hot air is what you’ll get as a result. If you can find the condenser under the hood of your car, you should be able to see whether there’s any debris creating a blockage.
Otherwise, your condenser may be altogether broken. This could happen for a number of reasons, from faulty equipment to a puncture caused by road debris. You’ll need a professional to conduct a thorough inspection.
Faulty Cooling Fans
The cooling fans work alongside the condenser to cool down the hot liquid refrigerant. Any cracks or damage to them will leave the refrigerant hot and unable to cool down your car properly. Since they are not the sturdiest of materials, the cooling fans can be damaged by all types of road debris. Luckily, it’s a quick fix by our automotive repair service professionals in Bristol, PA!
Electrical Issues
As is the case with many car troubles, the hardest problem to diagnose is an electrical problem. Your car has tons of small electrical connections that keep the AC system, among other things, running smoothly. If any wires get damaged or frayed, it could shut down a vital component of the AC system. The challenging part is finding all the obscure or hidden wires so they can be repaired or replaced.
But no matter which part of your AC system is causing you to suffer through the hot weather, one thing is for sure: you need to get that looked at by a professional ASAP. We don’t want you to be uncomfortable while driving or, even worse, start speeding with the windows down to get some relief from the hot air. Just bring your car to Rob’s in Bristol, PA, where we perform automotive and heavy-duty truck repairs.
As one of the few shops certified by over 14 automobile manufacturers, you can rest assured that your vehicle will receive expert care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.