8 Signs Your Car Needs Auto AC Repair
Can you imagine driving on a hot day and you can't turn on your air conditioning? Sure, you can roll down the windows, but we're pretty sure you prefer that cold air from your AC. If you don't want this situation, you must know when to get to the auto repair shop to get your AC checked out.
Determining when you should get your AC repaired can be complicated, especially if you're a first-time car owner. Fortunately, various signs tell you that your air conditioning might fail soon and need to see a mechanic for an inspection.
Outline:
- Early Indicators That Say Your Car Needs Auto AC Repair
- Weaker Airflow
- AC Gets Warm Over Time
- Rattling Noise
- Foul Odor
- Leaks on the Dashboard
- Leaking Refrigerant
- Faulty Compressor Clutch
- Burning Odor
- Tips to Maintain Your Car's AC
- Conclusion
Early Indicators That Say Your Car Needs Auto AC Repair
1. Weaker Airflow
When air is having trouble reaching the car's air vents, it often results in a weak airflow in your car's AC. You can easily spot this issue when the AC isn't reaching the car's passengers.
This issue can be caused by several things, such as a fried ventilation fan, mold or mildew in the car's evaporator, or even a loose blower hose. In some cases, some of the car's components might have been sealed, such as the opened core case.
2. AC Gets Warm Over Time
Your air conditioning system might start cool, but after some time gets warm. If your car starts blowing warm air, the compressor clutch might have been damaged, which keeps it from maintaining the proper pressure to keep your car cool.
A clogged expansion block might also be blocking the refrigerant from entering the evaporator. Leaks or when you blow a fuse are other possible reasons why it's happening.
3. Rattling Noise
Always be on the lookout for unusual sounds in your car, especially rattling noise, whenever you switch on the air conditioning. A broken condenser or fan belt might be causing the rattling noise. Meanwhile, it can also be caused by debris in the AC's fan.
If you hear strange noises while driving, don't just ignore them because they are often a symptom of a more severe car problem.
4. Foul Odor
A dirty or worn cabin air filter in your AC often leads to a nasty odor in your car, like the smell of sweaty clothes. Aside from filth, foul odors may also come from a moldy air vent or evaporator. It would help if you cleaned this up immediately since it can be a health risk for people allergic to mold.
Furthermore, it would help if you regularly changed your air cabin filters to prevent long-term damage to your AC. Meanwhile, regular auto AC repair and maintenance on your evaporator and air vent will prevent mold and dirt buildup.
5. Leaks on the Dashboard
Your dashboard might leak if you notice water stains on the front-row seat mat. This problem is often caused by a clogged hose which prevents it from draining out the water.
Moisture and worn-out parts may cause your air conditioning leaks. If not fixed immediately, the leak can damage other essential components in your car.
6. Leaking Refrigerant
Your AC's refrigerant is responsible for keeping your car cool by absorbing environmental heat and providing chilly air. If it runs low or leaks out from the system, you will immediately notice a hotter temperature in your car.
Leaking refrigerant is usually caused by a punctured hose or a loose rubber seal which allows the refrigerant to escape. A leaking refrigerant needs to be fixed since it can affect some of the most vital components in your AC system.
7. Faulty Compressor Clutch
Be on the lookout if your AC compressor engages air conditioning in your car. If the compressor clutch is not moving, it could indicate that your compressor needs an auto AC repair immediately.
The clutch controls when the compressor turns when needed. When it breaks, the compressor won't receive engine power, or it may seize functioning. Should this ever happen, the compressor or the clutch may need replacement.
8. Burning Odor
When you smell a burning odor after turning your AC, there are wirings in your compressor that are overheating or already burnt. When your car's compressor wirings get damaged, it will disable your air conditioning.
The first thing you should do is immediately turn off your AC to prevent the damage from worsening. Then, you need to get your car to an auto AC repair specialist who can fix the issue.
Tips to Maintain Your Car's AC
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your AC and avoid some of the issues discussed above, here are a few tips on how to properly maintain it:
- Don't forget to recharge the coolant and lubricant of your AC system every two years.
- Use "defrost mode" between five and ten minutes to clean excessive moisture and prevent mildew. Doing so will also decrease the chance of foul odor developing in your AC
- Even if it's winter, don't hesitate to use your air conditioner. Aside from cooling your car, the AC also helps remove the humidity from your cabin. Hence, it also removes fog from your windshield and improves road visibility
- If your car sits in the garage for a long time, run its AC for at least 10 minutes weekly. This simple task will keep the compressor working correctly by maintaining its gas pressure. Moreover, ensure you use the coldest setting and the fan at its highest speed.
- Visit your trusted auto repair shop and get your car inspected if you notice something's off with your AC. It would be best if you also availed of car care maintenance and brake repair services to ensure that every system in your car runs excellent whenever you hit the road.
Conclusion
Your car's AC provides you with a comfortable ride by ensuring the temperature in the car remains cool. It's one of the things in your car that you can't live without, especially during the hot summer months.
Carlax knows how important an air conditioning system is to our clients in Palmdale, CA. That's why we offer comprehensive auto AC repair services at reasonable rates. Let our certified car mechanics fix any issues you have with your vehicle.
Please do not hesitate to contact us through our website, where you can also schedule a service appointment. Call us at 661-947-7370 or stop by our new site at 37839 Sierra Hwy. Palmdale, California 93550
Can you imagine driving on a hot day and you can't turn on your air conditioning? Sure, you can roll down the windows, but we're pretty sure you prefer that cold air from your AC. If you don't want this situation, you must know when to get to the auto repair shop to get your AC checked out.
Determining when you should get your AC repaired can be complicated, especially if you're a first-time car owner. Fortunately, various signs tell you that your air conditioning might fail soon and need to see a mechanic for an inspection.
Outline:
- Early Indicators That Say Your Car Needs Auto AC Repair
- Weaker Airflow
- AC Gets Warm Over Time
- Rattling Noise
- Foul Odor
- Leaks on the Dashboard
- Leaking Refrigerant
- Faulty Compressor Clutch
- Burning Odor
- Tips to Maintain Your Car's AC
- Conclusion
Early Indicators That Say Your Car Needs Auto AC Repair
1. Weaker Airflow
When air is having trouble reaching the car's air vents, it often results in a weak airflow in your car's AC. You can easily spot this issue when the AC isn't reaching the car's passengers.
This issue can be caused by several things, such as a fried ventilation fan, mold or mildew in the car's evaporator, or even a loose blower hose. In some cases, some of the car's components might have been sealed, such as the opened core case.
2. AC Gets Warm Over Time
Your air conditioning system might start cool, but after some time gets warm. If your car starts blowing warm air, the compressor clutch might have been damaged, which keeps it from maintaining the proper pressure to keep your car cool.
A clogged expansion block might also be blocking the refrigerant from entering the evaporator. Leaks or when you blow a fuse are other possible reasons why it's happening.
3. Rattling Noise
Always be on the lookout for unusual sounds in your car, especially rattling noise, whenever you switch on the air conditioning. A broken condenser or fan belt might be causing the rattling noise. Meanwhile, it can also be caused by debris in the AC's fan.
If you hear strange noises while driving, don't just ignore them because they are often a symptom of a more severe car problem.
4. Foul Odor
A dirty or worn cabin air filter in your AC often leads to a nasty odor in your car, like the smell of sweaty clothes. Aside from filth, foul odors may also come from a moldy air vent or evaporator. It would help if you cleaned this up immediately since it can be a health risk for people allergic to mold.
Furthermore, it would help if you regularly changed your air cabin filters to prevent long-term damage to your AC. Meanwhile, regular auto AC repair and maintenance on your evaporator and air vent will prevent mold and dirt buildup.
5. Leaks on the Dashboard
Your dashboard might leak if you notice water stains on the front-row seat mat. This problem is often caused by a clogged hose which prevents it from draining out the water.
Moisture and worn-out parts may cause your air conditioning leaks. If not fixed immediately, the leak can damage other essential components in your car.
6. Leaking Refrigerant
Your AC's refrigerant is responsible for keeping your car cool by absorbing environmental heat and providing chilly air. If it runs low or leaks out from the system, you will immediately notice a hotter temperature in your car.
Leaking refrigerant is usually caused by a punctured hose or a loose rubber seal which allows the refrigerant to escape. A leaking refrigerant needs to be fixed since it can affect some of the most vital components in your AC system.
7. Faulty Compressor Clutch
Be on the lookout if your AC compressor engages air conditioning in your car. If the compressor clutch is not moving, it could indicate that your compressor needs an auto AC repair immediately.
The clutch controls when the compressor turns when needed. When it breaks, the compressor won't receive engine power, or it may seize functioning. Should this ever happen, the compressor or the clutch may need replacement.
8. Burning Odor
When you smell a burning odor after turning your AC, there are wirings in your compressor that are overheating or already burnt. When your car's compressor wirings get damaged, it will disable your air conditioning.
The first thing you should do is immediately turn off your AC to prevent the damage from worsening. Then, you need to get your car to an auto AC repair specialist who can fix the issue.
Tips to Maintain Your Car's AC
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your AC and avoid some of the issues discussed above, here are a few tips on how to properly maintain it:
- Don't forget to recharge the coolant and lubricant of your AC system every two years.
- Use "defrost mode" between five and ten minutes to clean excessive moisture and prevent mildew. Doing so will also decrease the chance of foul odor developing in your AC
- Even if it's winter, don't hesitate to use your air conditioner. Aside from cooling your car, the AC also helps remove the humidity from your cabin. Hence, it also removes fog from your windshield and improves road visibility
- If your car sits in the garage for a long time, run its AC for at least 10 minutes weekly. This simple task will keep the compressor working correctly by maintaining its gas pressure. Moreover, ensure you use the coldest setting and the fan at its highest speed.
- Visit your trusted auto repair shop and get your car inspected if you notice something's off with your AC. It would be best if you also availed of car care maintenance and brake repair services to ensure that every system in your car runs excellent whenever you hit the road.
Conclusion
Your car's AC provides you with a comfortable ride by ensuring the temperature in the car remains cool. It's one of the things in your car that you can't live without, especially during the hot summer months.
Carlax knows how important an air conditioning system is to our clients in Palmdale, CA. That's why we offer comprehensive auto AC repair services at reasonable rates. Let our certified car mechanics fix any issues you have with your vehicle.
Please do not hesitate to contact us through our website, where you can also schedule a service appointment. Call us at 661-947-7370 or stop by our new site at 37839 Sierra Hwy. Palmdale, California 93550
