Some Common Auto Air Conditioning System Issues and Solutions
So you’re all set to go out for your road trip on a nice sunny day, bags packed and snacks stacked, you get into your car, two minutes on the road, and then it hits you—bam! The AC is not working!
You’re left thinking— if only I had checked if everything was alright the night before, or, more importantly, where do I find a car air conditioning repair service right now? Well, as the old adage goes, better safe than sorry. We can’t always control the mechanisms of our car but just by being aware of some common auto air conditioning system issues, we can probably get a car mechanic to counter those before the situation gets any worse.
In this article, we will discuss some problems which are common issues for auto air conditioning systems, so that you can spot and fix them early with regular maintenance, so continue reading to find out about these frequent problem areas and diagnose them all by yourself.
How car air conditioning works
Before we start about the common problem areas, let us take a look at how auto air conditioning actually functions. The Air Conditioning system consists of several components—a compressor that is motored by the engine; an expansion valve that maintains the flow of refrigerant; and two heat exchangers i.e. the condenser and evaporator. The air-conditioning system in a car functions by switching the state of refrigerant between a liquid and a gaseous. As the refrigerant changes between states, it takes in humidity and heat from the car and enables the conditioning system to emanate cooled-off, dry air.
To manipulate the refrigerant between a liquid and a gaseous form, the air-conditioning system functions to regulate temperature and pressure.
Here’s a list of some commonly occurring car AC problems
1. AC system failing to give off cool air
2. Makes strange noises when turned on
3. Moist air inside the car
4. A bad odor inside the car
5. Damp floorboards
Car AC problems and their solutions
1. AC system failing to give off cool air
Reason: Usually, this problem is a result of a refrigerant leak. Your A/C components depend a lot upon the refrigerant to cool down the car. Without adequate refrigerant, the other components of air conditioning will fail to function properly. A leak may happen out of nowhere but generally, it occurs due to a puncture in hoses, connections, condenser, compressor, or a cracked evaporator. Refrigerant leaks are tough to identify because refrigerant tends to evaporate when it is exposed to the environment.
Solution: This problem calls for an experienced car ac mechanic who would have to put a fluorescent leak tracer dye and refrigerant into the conditioning system. After that’s done, the mechanic will turn on the air conditioning and with the help of a backlight, will be able to spot the leak to start with the repairs and ultimately finish by performing evacuation and recharging so that it begins blowing cold air again.
2. Makes strange noises when turned on
Reason: If you hear some unusual noise when you first turn on the AC, typically it is from a deteriorating compressor, but other underlying common reasons can be a contaminated refrigerant or the application of a poor lubricant. Broken parts or holes could also be the origin of the issue.
Solution: When such a problem persists you should probably consider car air conditioning repair because continual usage of your A/C will only worsen the situation. Take your car to a reliable car mechanic for a check-up. A proper examination will determine if a critical part is damaged and if it needs a replacement.
3. Moist air inside the car
Reason: This issue mostly occurs when debris or moisture gets trapped within your AC system.
Solution: Your car should not be humid or hot even after you have turned on the AC. If this happens, a car ac mechanic will have to properly inspect the system’s pressure and check the components for any blockages or malfunctions.
4. A bad odor inside the car
Reason: If you notice a mildew-like smell when you turn on your AC, it may be because of some bacterial growth inside the system. This usually happens when cars hardly ever make use of A/C, are older, or the ones that use the AC on max setting. Chances are mold, bacteria, fungi, or other micro-organisms may germinate behind the dashboard on the evaporator. This germination leads to a bad odor coming out of the vents.
Solution: Air filters can accumulate all sorts of gunk like dust, water, dirt, and many other pollutants causing a bad odor to be exuded. Changing the air filter will help counter this problem. If replacing the filter does not do away with the malodor, you will need to resort to car air conditioning repair. The expert mechanic will then put an anti-bacterial solution into the evaporator part to eradicate mold and other pollutants from the conditioning system.
5. Damp floorboards
Reason: Bacteria may also develop on the evaporator coil of the air conditioner inside the AC’s heater box placed under the dashboard. The bacteria from airflow fuses with the moisture from the coils, forming a viscous layer on the A/C fins and emitting a putrid smell. Eventually, the layer builds up and congests the drain line. Water from all that condensation spreads over, fills up the heater box, and starts oozing out and onto the car’s floorboards, mainly on the passenger side.
Solution: If you find the floor of your vehicle wet, don’t think twice before taking your car to an auto care service provider for quick repair. An expert will diagnose what exactly clogged the drain line in the first place and make the necessary repairs or replacements of the hose.
How to regularly maintain your car’s AC system
Here’s how you can avoid any faulty AC issues in your car with regular maintenance so you can minimize the chances of having an unpleasant ride:
1. Get regular service on conditioning system parts particularly, the condenser, compressor, evaporator, and electrical controls.
2. Look out for any damages or leaks in the AC system
3. Routinely check the functioning of the AC system and other parts
4. Inspect the compressor belt of your AC for any cracks and damage every now and then
5. Perform a vacuum test on your car’s AC system
6. Using the proper refrigerant type and quantity, recharge your car’s AC system
Frequently Asked Question ( FAQs)
Question 1: What are the common troubles for auto air conditioning units?
Answer: Some of the most common car AC issues are:
Refrigerant Leak
Clogged condenser
Damaged condenser
Electrical problems
Faltering cooling fans
Poor compressor
Most of these issues can be easily fixed if they are identified at the initial stage, once you have done the diagnosis visit a good auto care service center to get a repairment solution at the earliest to avoid any further damages.
Question 2: What is the most common air failure on an air conditioning system?
Answer: The most common air failure that gets reported frequently is clogged or dirty air filters, apart from this leaking water outside is yet another commonly occurring air failure in an auto air conditioning system.
Question 3: How long should an air conditioning system last?
Answer: Usually, many cars easily tend to last a good five years before needing a repair or ragas, it’s recommended to get your car routinely serviced to make sure your car’s AC components like the compressor remains in good condition. Evidently, even the most efficiently designed cars are bound to lose about 10% of the refrigerant in their air conditioning systems each year.
Question 4: How do I know if my air conditioner needs to be replaced?
Answer: If your AC fails to cool the car the way it is meant to or if the cooling is inconsistent, even after you got the necessary repairs and re-gassing performed, it may be time to replace the air conditioner in your car.
Prevention is better
The AC system of your car is an integral component that makes your ride nice and comfortable. Scheduling and following up with a car maintenance check-up on a regular basis is indispensable to make sure your A/C system stays in perfect condition and to prevent any serious damage. Maintenance and proper inspection of your A/C system should best be done at least once a year. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. So we hope, after reading this article, now you know everything about some of the problems which are common issues for auto air conditioning systems.
Most auto care centers provide services for AC maintenance and repairs, but ideally, you must only entrust your vehicle to expert mechanics who can offer a quality service.
So, that’s all from this blog. I hope you liked it. If you enjoyed this article on Some Common Auto Air Conditioning System Issues and Solutions then please share it with your friends and social media followers.
