Troubleshooting Three Common Air Conditioning Repair Problems

Troubleshooting Three Common Air Conditioning Repair Problems

When the outside temperature starts climbing, you probably use your air conditioner more often. That increased use also increases the chances of something going wrong. If the a/c in your car is not blowing out cold air, things can get uncomfortable pretty quickly. Before you visit a car air conditioning repair specialist, take a few steps to see if you can fix the problem yourself. Even if you cannot fix it, you will be able to better explain the problem to the professional you eventually hire.

The first step in the troubleshooting process is learning the basics of the a/c system. The system cools air by compressing a refrigerant called R-134a. Older systems use r-12 Freon. The refrigerant carries heat from inside the car to the condenser. The condenser changes the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid, which expels the heat. Essentially, air is blown across a very cold liquid.

Check for Leaks

Leaks are often easy to identify, but they are very difficult to fix. Most automobile supply stores carry a bright dye that can be injected into the a/c system, which will reveal leaks. The can will have instructions for use.

There is also a valve that will reveal the PSI (pounds per square inch) inside the system. If the leak is very bad, the system will have very low pressure or no pressure at all. However, do not check for pressure by inserting anything into the valve nozzle. This is called "venting," and it is illegal.

Check the Compressor

Checking the compressor is simple. Simply start the car and turn on the a/c. Check underneath the hood while the car is on. Compressors come in different shapes and styles, but generally speaking, they are pumps on one side of the engine with large hoses. They usually have valves that resemble valve stems on tires. There is typically a pulley on the front of the device.

You can identify a problem if the air conditioner is running, but the middle of the pulley is not spinning. This means that the clutch of the compressor is disengaged. The problem could be caused by an electrical malfunction, a faulty switch inside the car, or a leak. You should replace the fuses controlling the a/c. Also, try every available a/c setting to determine if an interior switch might just be faulty. Check for leaks to determine if the refrigerant is escaping. If all of this fails, a car air conditioning repair professional can determine why your compressor's clutch is not engaging.

Refill the Refrigerant

If the compressor seems fine and there are no leaks, you might not need car air conditioning repair at all. Turn the a/c on inside the car. If the air coming out is still slightly cool, you might just have low refrigerant levels. You can buy a can of R-134a at any automotive supply store. Just be sure not to overfill your system. There is no benefit from adding more than the recommended amount of refrigerant, and it increases the risk of damaging the system.

These three common steps address the most common problems with automobile air conditioners. If you troubleshoot your a/c and it still won't work, then you probably need a mechanic. At least you'll be able to speak confidently with the mechanic when you take your car to the shop.

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