Common Car AC Problems and solutions

The cool air coming out of car AC is the lifeline of every commuter, especially in hot weather, but one fine day you came out and sit in the hot car parked in the scorching sunlight and immediately after turning on your car engine you notice something unusual, the air blowing from air conditioning vents are not turning in to cool air.

The sudden breakdown of the car AC on a sunny afternoon will be a very uncomfortable experience for driving and this may lead to some health-related issues like headaches and dehydration.

once you have realized that something has happened with your AC system due to which the AC is not working. The next most important thing is to identify the correct reason why the car AC is malfunctioning.

You can check and identify a few basic problems by yourself but for more typical issues you must visit the professional setup where the car ACs are checked and repaired professionally.

Here we discuss some basic problems which can cause the car AC to stop working properly, although there are several common problems that can occur to car AC system, we will try to discuss the few most common issues.

What are the basic components of car AC?

Mainly the car air conditioner system comprises of five major components.

1. Compressor: It pumps the refrigerant into the system.

 

2. Condenser: The condenser is a heat exchanger that removes heat from the refrigerant, causing it to condense into a liquid.

 

3. Refrigerant: The refrigerant is a special gas called freon that is used to transfer heat from the inside of the car to the outside

 

4. Expansion valve: It’s a small device that regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator.

 

5. Evaporator: The evaporator is another heat exchanger that absorbs heat from the air inside the car, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and turn back into a gas.

What are the signs that your car AC has some problem?

If you notice the following changes in your car’s AC performance, then it is better to schedule a checkup at any professional workshop as soon as possible.

1. You feel that the cooling level in your car cabin is diminishing day by day.
2. Strange noises come out of the engine room when you turn on the AC.
3. Have you noticed any oil leakage from condenser lines or fittings?
4. An unwanted smell coming from the AC vents.
5. Water coming out in the cabin.

 

How do you Diagnose car AC problems?

Most of the time the car AC problems can be located easily, but you cannot fix all problems by yourself, yes some faults may be tackled by you like belt adjustments or filter replacement, but it is better to let any professional check the problem and advise the right solution for that.

 

Few common Car AC problems and their solutions

There are several common problems that can occur with a car’s air conditioning system. Here are a few of them along with the solution for those problems.

 

Car AC problems	Solutions
Faulty Belts: The first thing you need to check if your AC doesn’t work is the belt attached to the pully, due to dry weather most of the time the belts are getting hard and resultantly it become over tighten which causes a fault in the pully bearing.	Ac Belt issue can be fixed by little adjustment of belt tension, Belt replacement, pully replacement, AC compressor replacement.
Low Refrigerant: the most common cause of AC problems is Low refrigerant levels. The low refrigerant level can occur due to a leakage in the system or from natural evaporation over time. When there is not enough refrigerant, which must be required, the AC system won’t be able to cool the air properly resulting in less cooling inside the cabin.	If the AC system has low refrigerant, it is needed to add more refrigerant to the system. However, before adding more refrigerant it’s essential to find any leaks in the system, otherwise the refrigerant will just leak out again you may face inconvenience once again
Compressor Issues: The car AC is more prone to wear and tear, the compressor is the main component of the whole AC system which is responsible for compressing the refrigerant and circulating it through the system. The compressor failure may occur due to various reasons. If the compressor fails or becomes damaged, the AC system will not work properly.	The compressor issue can be fixed by following steps, Compressor Replacement Compressor Clutch Replacement Leak Repair System Flushing
Electrical Problems: If your car has some electrical or wiring issues then it can cause various AC problems which  including a malfunctioning blower motor or a faulty compressor clutch.	Electrical issues can be difficult to diagnose and fix, so. They may need to replace a faulty component, such as a blower motor or compressor clutch.
Choked Condenser: Some people often confuse the condenser with compressor due to a little similarity in the names. The condenser works to throw away heat from the refrigerant. If it becomes clogged with rubble, it won’t be able to do its job properly, and the AC system will become nonfunctional.	If the condenser is clogged with debris, it should be cleaned out to restore proper functioning. It’s also important to keep the area around the condenser clean and clear of debris to prevent future clogs.
Broken Cooling Fans: Cooling fans installed alongside radiator fan which help to circulate air over the condenser and radiator. If they become damaged or stop working, the AC system will not be able to cool the air properly.	If the cooling fans aren’t working, they may need to be repaired or replaced. It is better to let any professional workshop check the issue and determine the best course of action.
Dirty Evaporator: The evaporator is responsible for removing heat and moisture from the air. If it becomes dirty or clogged, it won’t be able to do its job properly, and the AC system will not cool the air as effectively.	If the evaporator is dirty or clogged, it can be clean to restore proper functioning. It requires regular maintenance, such as replacing the air filter, can help prevent the evaporator from getting dirty.
Bad Thermostat: The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in the car’s cabin. If it becomes faulty, the AC system may not turn on or may not cool the air properly.	If the thermostat is faulty, it may need to be replaced immediately.

How can I make my car AC colder?

There are several hacks which are very help full in optimizing the car AC performance.

1. Change the filter more frequently.
2. Always try to park your car in the shade.
3. Use sunshades while parking the car in a place where no shade is available.
4. Keep check on refrigerant level and always try to keep the level up to the mark.
5. Do not set the maximum setting of car AC immediately, let the cabin get little cooler by rolling down windows for few minutes and after that gradually increase the cooling level.
6. Keep the fan speed lower at the start and gradually increase once the hot air diminishes out.

 

 

Conclusion

A faulty car air conditioner is a very uncomfortable experience, especially in hot weather, the most common faults due to which the AC is starts malfunctioning are faulty compressors, refrigerant leakages, and clogged filters.

So, it is always a good idea to keep your car well-maintained to enjoy a comfortable cool ride, the habit of keeping a well-maintained car also saves your money to be spent on costly repairs due to possible damages to parts.