Have you ever gotten into your car on a hot summer day and found out the air conditioner wasn’t working? Not pleasant. In fact, it can feel downright miserable, especially if you are heading to work or a special event. Read on to find out what might be causing the problem with your car air conditioner and what you should do to get it fixed so your summer driving is a comfortable experience once again.
Similar to the air conditioner in your home, your car’s air conditioner cools the air and reduces the humidity inside the cabin of your vehicle. Your vehicle’s air conditioning system is made up of five key components: 1) compressor, 2) condenser, 3) drier, 4) evaporator, and 5) expansion valve. If there’s an issue with one or more of these parts, the air conditioner won’t work properly to cool down the interior of your car.
Here are the 5 reasons your vehicle’s air conditioning system might not be working:
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- The system is leaking – Refrigerant leaks are probably the most common reason a car air conditioner stops working properly. Unlike older vehicles (pre-1994) that needed to have the refrigerant replaced periodically, the air conditioning system in today’s cars is a closed system. If the refrigerant needs to be replaced in a newer vehicle, it means there is a leak somewhere in the system. To find where it is leaking your Country Road Auto technician will add dye into and inspect the system. Often leaks will be found within the compressor or one of the hoses. Once we find the source of the leak, we can provide you with an estimate to fix your car air conditioner. One thing to note – If your vehicle was manufactured before 1994, the refrigerant (R-12 Freon) will run out over time. You must have R-12 Freon replaced by a professional.
- The air conditioner makes a lot of noise – A noisy air conditioner could indicate a problem with the compressor and it might need to be replaced.
- The temperature of the air coming out of the vents fluctuates – Moisture build-up in one of the hoses or assemblies can cause the temperature of the air to fluctuate. This can be quickly fixed by bring your vehicle to Country Road Auto in Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
- When you turn on the air conditioner it sounds like it’s struggling or it doesn’t work at all – When this happens, it could very well be the result of a problem in the electrical system. (Read about a vehicle’s electrical system by clicking here)
- Smells coming from the air conditioner vents– Odd smells coming from the air conditioner vents typically indicate that there is bacteria in the system. You can correct this issue by having the evaporator flushed.
Don’t drive one more minute with a broken air conditioner. Click here to schedule car air conditioner repair with Country Road Automotive in Lincoln Park, NJ.