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TOP 5 REASONS FOR AUTOMOTIVE AC PROBLEMS
American Pride Automotive • Jul 01, 2014
It’s hot. It’s humid. At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is hop into a sweltering car knowing that thanks to a broken AC, there’s no relief in sight! If your vehicle’s air conditioning is “under the weather” or not working at all, there are several possibilities as to the cause(s). These are the five most common sources of automotive AC complaints.
1. INSUFFICIENT REFRIGERANT
Refrigerant, aka coolant or Freon, is the lifeblood of the AC system. When refrigerant is low, all system components must work much harder to cool the air in the cabin. Sometimes the answer to this problem is simply to have an auto mechanic “recharge” the vehicle with more coolant, but usually low coolant is a result of….
2. LEAKS
Whether because of something as simple as a loose or damaged O-Ring, or something as complex and costly as a cracked compressor, AC system leaks are a major source of problem. If an auto technician recommends a simple recharge with coolant, make sure they have thoroughly checked the system for leaks. Otherwise, you’re sure to be coming back for another recharge very soon.
3. MOLD AND MILDEW BUILDUP
Have you ever experienced an unpleasant smell and/or decreased airflow into your car’s cabin? Both of those phenomena are symptomatic of mold and mildew buildup in the AC system’s evaporator. Usually a simple system cleaning by a trained professional does the trick. It’s also important to keep an eye on the air filter, as it can get dirty and blocked as a vehicle gets older.
4. FAN ISSUES
Weak airflow but no gross odor? Consider the possibility that your vehicle’s blower fan is malfunctioning or burnt out.
5. COMPRESSOR PROBLEMS
Though it’s the last point on our list, the compressor is the first AC system component to take into consideration when diagnosing problems. We put it last on the list because compressor problems often implicate the most expensive repairs. The issue might lie with a malfunctioning compressor clutch (many times caused by persistently low refrigerant), or with the compressor unit itself. If you suspect compressor failure, be sure to talk to an honest, experienced auto technician to help pinpoint the cause and recommend a course of action.
Don’t suffer through summer with a disappointing AC system in your vehicle. Call, contact or come into any of our three American Pride Automotive locations. We are ready to diagnose the issue and provide helpful solutions!
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You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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