Jump Starting Your Car’s Air Conditioning System
With summer barreling down upon us, more people are paying attention to the reliability of their vehicle’s A/C system. Some drivers have waited until now to fix problems that manifested long ago when the weather were much cooler. Others have noticed small issues – for example, higher than normal temperatures coming from the vents – and are concerned their A/C units might die when they need them most.
To prepare for driving in the warmer weather, we’ll take a preemptive look at potential issues you may be having with your vehicle’s air conditioning system. I’ll explain some of the factors that can impact your A/C and making driving in the heat less than pleasant.
Describing The Problem
Your car’s air conditioner might be suffering from one of a few different problems. It’s important that you identify what is happening and be able to describe it (or recreate it) for the mechanic. That way, he’ll know which path to take in order to resolve the issue.
For example, is the temperature coming from your vents warmer than normal? If it is, that might suggest a refrigerant deficiency. Or, is the force of the airflow weak? If that’s the issue, there may be a blockage somewhere within the air duct. Oftentimes, these problems occur sporadically. If you’re unable to recreate it, you’ll need to carefully explain what is happening.
Factors That Can Affect Your A/C
As implied above, warmer than normal temperatures blowing from the vents suggests there may be an insufficient level of refrigerant. In most cases, that means one or more leaks have developed. Leaks can occur due to the hoses deteriorating and splitting. They can also happen if there is a bad connection between the hoses and the compressor.
Dirt can also be an issue. When your car’s air conditioner is working properly, the refrigerant is the only element (aside from oil) that should be allowed into the compressor. If dirt gains access, it can cause the refrigerant to break down. It can also lead to a malfunction in the expansion valve and problems within the compressor itself.
Anything that restricts airflow through your car’s A/C can cause the entire unit to fail. The reason is similar to what causes your engine to overheat. If too much debris accumulates, that debris can restrict lubrication. That causes excess heat to build, which can cause the hoses to rupture or burst. Eventually, it can even lead to the compressor shutting down completely.
As summer approaches, invest the time to make sure your car’s air conditioning system is working properly. Don’t wait to fix small problems. If you neglect them, they will often lead to more expensive headaches in the future. By the time warmer weather arrives, you’ll want to have easy access to cooler temperatures while you’re behind the wheel.
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