If you’re considering taking your vehicle in for auto air conditioning repair, it is helpful to first gain a bit of knowledge about how the AC functions, the possible causes of your car’s air conditioner problems, and general costs of fixing the AC. This way, you’ll be more informed and thus less likely to fall prey to being taken advantage of by mechanics looking to perform unnecessary maintenance or raise the cost. Also, it is possible your auto AC issues can be solved with a quick fix that you can do yourself, saving you the time, money, and inconvenience it would cost you for auto air conditioning repair. There are several main reasons your car’s air conditioner is not functioning properly. If you pay attention to cues from your vehicle, you may be able to pinpoint what the problem may be. Here are some common culprits behind a malfunctioning AC system:
- -Blockage and debris in the condenser
- -Blockage in a filter
- -Refrigerant leak or low refrigerant levels
- -Worn out or broken parts
Some indicators of where the problem lies in your auto AC issues include unusual sounds, short cycling, only hot air blowing, only hot air blowing on one side of the vehicle, cool air blowing weakly, and abnormal smell when the air conditioner is running. Each of these symptoms can help you realize what is wrong with your car’s AC if you know what the symptoms mean.
Troubleshooting Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Firstly, it is important have basic knowledge about the components of your AC before taking it in for auto air conditioning repair. This way, you’ll better understand the cause of the problem and will be capable of making an informed decision about your auto AC repair options; it is common knowledge that the less you know about your vehicle, the more likely auto repair shops are to try to make you spend money you don’t need to.
One major part of your car’s AC is the refrigerant. The refrigerant is a fluid that essentially absorbs the heat from the car’s interior. Scientific studies have proven that refrigerant is damaging to the ozone layer. Because of this, there are environmental regulations associated with auto air conditioning repair. A professional, certified auto mechanic is needed to address any issue with your vehicle’s refrigerant and ensure that the harmful chemicals are handled and contained properly.
Another key component of a vehicle air conditioning system is the AC compressor, which is a pump that serves to compress and transfer the refrigerant. Another part of the air conditioning system is the condenser. The condenser, which is normally in front of the vehicle’s radiator, is responsible for taking in hot compressed gas from the compressor and cooling it down, which condenses into a high pressure liquid. The evaporator absorbs and removes heat from the interior of the vehicle. Pressure regulators, an orifice tube or thermal expansion valve, act as sensors for temperature and pressure and control the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator. Metering devices, which are different types depending on which type of pressure regulator the vehicle uses, essentially keep the refrigerant gas and liquid separate.
Now that you have a basic concept of the parts of your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you may be able to take the symptoms you’ve noticed and figure out what the possible issues are.
If your car blows only hot air, there are a couple reasons this may be happening. One possible reason is that the blend air door in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit might be stuck on the “HEAT” setting. Another possible explanation is that the compressor may be malfunctioning, or it might not be pumping enough refrigerant (or any at all!). If the compressor isn’t getting enough refrigerant, this may be due to a refrigerant leak. In this case, taking your vehicle in for auto air conditioning repair is essential, so that a professional can safely locate the leak for you. The cost of checking for refrigerant leaks and replacing the parts generally runs in the $250-$650 range, not including labor.
If your car blows hot air on one side, the dual zone climate control system may be malfunctioning. The dual zone climate control system is responsible for controlling the temperature in the passenger seats (thus, not every vehicle has this). Problems with the dual climate control system might be due to a blend air door problem or low refrigerant levels. Either case calls for taking your car into a certified shop to perform auto air conditioning repair.
If your vehicle’s AC makes strange sounds or short cycles, this may be an issue with the condenser. Over time, the condenser may gather debris or blockage. Since the condenser requires proper air flow to function properly, it is important to check this. Checking the condition of the condenser may save you from needing auto air conditionng repair at all. If it is dirty, simply clean it with a soft brush or water. Then, if your AC begins to function normally again, you’ve saved yourself a considerable amount of time and money. If the problems persist, however, taking your vehicle into the shop for auto air conditioning repair is likely your only option. If the condenser needs replacing, you can expect to pay a minimum of $800, but the part normally runs over $1000.
If your AC blows the right temperature, but is weak, the air duct system is almost certainly to blame. For repairs on the air duct system, you can check if your vehicle is under warranty, if you bought from a dealer recently enough. If not, taking your vehicle in for auto air conditioning repair to any type of certified repair shop will suffice, but you may want to shop around for the best quote so you can save some cash.
If your AC produces bad or abnormal smells when it’s on, this may be a cause for worry, or it may not. When you turn the air conditioner and the odor only lasts for a couple minutes or so, this is not something to be overly concerned about. The cause of this is most likely a moist evaporator collecting bacteria, spores, dirt, and mildew. To address this issue, simply avoid parking under trees and use the fresh air instead of recirculate setting to allow the evaporator to dry. If the smell persists, you may consider contacting a mechanic to remove the smell. If your vehicle’s air conditioner blows a continuous stream of malodorous air, this may be a sign of a bad heater core or some other larger problem. Such a symptom calls for professional auto air conditioning repair, as this could be a sign of a major problem.