We know that it is still winter, but let’s talk about your car, truck, or C/SUV’s air conditioner for just a moment. There are numerous things that can prevent the AC from working. Rick’s Auto Center is going to list those things below. In order to make certain that your car’s air conditioner works the first time you turn it on this summer, bring your vehicle to our shop in the spring for an AC system check.
Damage to the Condenser
It’s easy for the condenser to get damaged because of where it is located. This AC part sits directly behind the grille. It uses the air that flows through the grill to help cool the hot air conditioner refrigerant. This is the condenser’s job. It has vents and a fan to help it cool the refrigerant. The condenser can get damaged and the vents can get clogged by dirt and road debris.
A Compressor That Hasn’t Been Run
The compressor is an Olympic athlete. It loves to work. If the compressor isn’t run at least once a month, it may malfunction and die. Naturally, you aren’t running your car’s air conditioner in the winter. Consequently, the compressor could go bad. When it does, it is unable to compress the refrigerant gas into a liquid. It is also unable to circulate that liquid.
Refrigerant Levels That Are Too Low
You just learned that your air conditioner’s refrigerant takes on two separate forms. It starts off as a gas that is compressed into a liquid. This liquid circulates through the air conditioning system to cool off the air that blows through the vents. An AC system that has a low refrigerant level will be unable to turn the air from hot to cold. Refrigerant is lost through evaporation and system leaks.
An AC Electrical System Problem
Your vehicle’s air conditioning system may also fail to function if there is an electrical system problem one common thing that can happen in older automobiles is a faulty AC switch. In other words, you may press the button to turn on the air conditioner and nothing happens.
A Malfunctioning Condenser Fan
Finally, as we mentioned above, the condenser uses a fan to reduce the refrigerant’s temperature. An air conditioning system electrical problem can render the fan useless, or it can break down on its own.
Again, Rick’s Auto Center in Hamden, CT, can inspect your vehicle’s air conditioning system in the spring to make sure it is ready for its summer job. Call us to schedule an appointment.
