When the summer heat hits, you want to make sure your car air conditioning system is working properly. Fortunately, there are some common signs that it might be time for auto air conditioner repair.
Leaks – You may be surprised at how often a leak is the cause of your air conditioning problem. This can be caused by a number of different problems, including hoses or seals becoming damaged and allowing Freon to escape. This can result in no cool air being delivered to your passengers, and it can also lead to water buildup inside of your air conditioning system.
If you’ve noticed a leak, it is a good idea to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will start to cause permanent damage to your vehicle’s air conditioning system.
Compressor Clutch – If you have an electric clutch in your compressor, you should be able to tell if it is working properly by running a wire from the A/C compressor to the battery’s positive terminal. This will test the clutch and help you determine if the clutch is faulty or just needs to be replaced.
No Air Blowing – If you hear the air blowing but no air comes out, this could be a sign that your refrigerant is low. This can be easily resolved by recharging the refrigerant with a recharge kit available at any automotive parts store.
Alternatively, you can have your mechanic check the charge level to see if there is an issue. They can also run a leak test to find out where the leak is occurring.
Odors – Sometimes strange smells are indicative of a bad AC system. Depending on where the odor originates, it could mean mold has entered your air conditioning unit and is causing foul smelling air or something else that should be dealt with immediately.
The best way to handle this is to contact a professional auto repair shop who can get rid of the offending smells and fix any issues with your AC.
If the odor is caused by the air filter, it’s important to change it as soon as you notice the offending odor. The new filter will help remove the offending odors from the air and prevent them from coming back in.
You can also use an antibacterial air freshener to spray around your car to help eliminate any offending odors. However, this should only be used if the offending odor is very strong and hasn’t been removed by replacing the air filter.
A yearly air conditioning check and refrigerant top-up can keep your AC system working efficiently and avoid high auto AC repair costs.
During the summer months, drivers often forget to do regular maintenance on their cars’ air conditioning systems. This can lead to loose fittings, o-rings and hoses that wear out, and it also means the system has to work harder to keep your vehicle cool.
This can lead to decreased fuel mileage and higher auto air conditioning repair bills. It’s important to take care of your car’s AC system, but it’s also a good idea to schedule a regular service appointment with an expert auto mechanic.
