AC Repair: How to Troubleshoot a Faulty Automotive Air Conditioner

If your car’s air conditioner isn’t working, you’re going to be hot, uncomfortable, and likely frustrated. It’s important to troubleshoot the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to do just that. We’ll walk you through the steps of troubleshooting a faulty car AC system, so you can get relief from the summer heat!

How the Car’s AC System Works

First, it’s important to understand how your car’s air conditioning system works. The system is made up of three main parts: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. The condenser helps to cool the refrigerant, and the evaporator helps to circulate cool air through the car.

When the air conditioner is turned on, the compressor will start to circulate the refrigerant through the system. The refrigerant will first travel to the condenser, where it will be cooled. Once it has been cooled, it will then travel to the evaporator. The evaporator is responsible for circulating cool air through the car.

Causes of Weak Airflow

If you have noticed that the airflow from your car’s AC system is weaker than usual, there are a few potential causes:

• Mold or mildew may have accumulated in the evaporator core from residual moisture that occurs during the cooling process. When this happens, air will have trouble reaching your air vents.
• A hose has come loose. This usually happens with the blower hose that supplies air to the blower unit.
• Ventilation fan is fried. If the fan’s not blowing, air won’t be flowing very well.
• Seals. No, not those seals down by the pier. Core case seals, blower house seals or evaporator core case seals; All can open up and diminish air flow. A/C ventilation systems are very sensitive and must remain sealed. Once they’re opened, the whole system is compromised.

Troubleshooting the Car’s AC System

There are a few different things that can go wrong with the car’s AC system. The most common problem is that the system is not cooling the air properly. This can be caused by a number of different issues, including:

• A leak in the system: If there is a leak in the system, the refrigerant will not be able to circulate properly.
• A problem with the compressor: If the compressor is not working properly, it will not be able to circulate the refrigerant through the system.
• A problem with the condenser: If the condenser is not working properly, it will not be able to cool the refrigerant.
• A problem with the evaporator: If the evaporator is not working properly, it will not be able to circulate cool air through the car.

What to Do if the AC Isn’t Working

If your car’s air conditioner isn’t working, the first thing you should do is check the system for leaks. If there are any leaks, they will need to be repaired before the system can be recharged. To check for a leak, you can use a UV leak detection kit.

If there are no leaks, the next step is to check the compressor. The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through the system. If the compressor is not working properly, it will need to be replaced.

If the compressor is working properly, the next step is to check the condenser. The condenser is responsible for cooling the refrigerant. If the condenser is not working properly, it will need to be replaced.

If the condenser is working properly, the next step is to check the evaporator. The evaporator is responsible for circulating cool air through the car. If the evaporator is not working properly, it will need to be replaced.

Once you have checked all of the components of the system, you can then recharge the system with refrigerant. If the system is still not working properly, you may need to replace one or more of the components.

Stay Cool with Scott’s Auto

If your car’s AC system is not working properly, bring it to Scott’s Auto Repair. We can troubleshoot the problem and make the necessary repairs. Stop by a location nearest you today!