4 Common Car Air Conditioning System Issues And How To Fix Them
Is your auto air conditioning system not working correctly? The first step in repairing a malfunctioning vehicle air conditioner is to inspect the system to check for potential or existing problems.
Here are some common issues your car AC system inspection can reveal and their solutions.
1. Dirty Filter
Your air conditioning system has an in-cabin filter that cleans the air as it moves through the system. The filter works by catching airborne contaminants that may lead to poor in-car air quality if allowed to enter the AC system.
Over time, your auto air filter may become clogged due to excessive dirt buildup, impeding airflow. Consequently, your car may feel hot even when the air conditioner is running.
Dirty air filters require a simple fix — a filter replacement. You can do the task yourself or get someone else to do it for you at a low price.
2. Faulty Compressor
The compressor is at the heart of your car's air conditioning system. As the name implies, its primary function is to compress the refrigerant flowing through the system under immense pressure to activate the refrigerant's heat transfer capabilities.
When not working correctly, your car's in-cabin cooling system will fail to transfer the absorbed heat to the outside environment, resulting in a hot and uncomfortable ride.
While faulty AC compressors are sometimes repairable, replacing them is often the best solution. A new compressor increases the operating efficiency of the AC system and makes it last longer.
3. Refrigerant Leak
The refrigerant in your car's air conditioner flows in a closed-loop system, meaning the system does not run out of refrigerant. If your AC is running low on refrigerant, it might be leaky.
Damaged refrigerant lines allow refrigerant to escape, reducing the system's capacity to cool your car interiors quickly and effectively. If your AC system has refrigerant leaks, you need to find and seal the leaks before regassing the system to replenish the refrigerant level.
4. Defective Cooling Fans
Your car's air conditioning system uses cooling fans to push and distribute the cooled air throughout your car's cabin. The cooled air will not be circulated effectively for enhanced cooling if these fans get broken.
Broken fans can be repaired or replaced, depending on the severity of damage suffered.
Many car owners only get their vehicle's air conditioner inspected when it develops problems. Yet, regular AC inspections are necessary to avoid cooling system failures. Depending on what kind of vehicle you have, such as a Volkswagon, reach out to a VW auto shop for an AC system inspection.
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