Common Car Air Conditioning Problems And Their Solutions
Imagine you’re driving on a perfectly sunny day. The music is playing, the road is clear and you are having a ton of fun when suddenly, your car’s air vents start blowing hot air. In a matter of seconds, the enjoyable ride turns into a bad and sweaty experience.
Having your car’s air conditioning fail while you are driving is perhaps one of the worst experiences you can have with your car.
With that said, like the other parts of your car, the air conditioning system is made up of several smaller components that have a finite lifespan. As a result, there has to be a time when the air conditioning system of your car fails.
However, in many cases, when a car owner takes their car to a mechanic with a complaint about their air conditioning, the mechanic suggests an expensive repair job.
While the mechanic may be sharing the right diagnosis, it is important to do your own research before shelling out big bucks in fixing your car’s AC.
In this article, we will help you with understanding, identifying and diagnosing the common AC problems reported by car owners.
Let’s look at the common symptoms of car AC problems:
AC Not Blowing Cold Air
This is one of the most common problems noticed in car air conditioners. When you ask a mechanic about why this is happening, chances are that you will be told that there is some issue with your AC’s compressor.
A new compressor’s price starts at the $200 range. While it is true that a new compressor can potentially fix the problem, sometimes, the issue is not with the compressor. There might be a chance that only the clutch of your compressor has failed. If that is the case, you can replace the clutch at a fraction of the cost of replacing the whole compressor.
Another possible reason for the AC to blow warm air is that the condenser of the air conditioner has a blockage. Once again, this problem can be fixed at a fraction of the cost of replacing the whole compressor.
AC Making Unusual Noises
The AC of your car is designed to be quiet. Thus, if it is making a noise, then you should treat it as a problem.
From small problems like the deposit of gunk and debris in the air conditioning system to the failure of one of the smaller components of the AC, noises from the air conditioning unit of a car can be the result of a number of problems.
If there is a noise coming out of your car’s air conditioner, it is strongly recommended to see a professional mechanic at the earliest. This is because if it is a serious problem that is causing the noise, it won’t take long before it grows into a grave and expensive issue.
Weak Airflow
The most common reason for an AC’s weak airflow is a blocked air intake.
Your car’s air conditioner sucks the air from outside the car, filters it, turns it into cold air, and then blows it into the cabin. However, if the air intake of the air conditioner is blocked, it will not be able to perform this function.
Conclusion
We hope that the information given in this article will help you correctly diagnose the problem with your car AC and have a productive conversation with the mechanic.
Did we forget to mention a problem that you are facing with your car’s AC? Describe it in the comment section below and we will try to diagnose it.
