Six Things to Get Checked Now Before You Need Your Car’s AC
We realize that it’s still winter, but let’s talk about your automobile’s air conditioner and how we here at Techway Automotive can get it ready now so you’re nice and cool all summer long. With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to schedule your annual AC service. This makes certain that the air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible before you actually need it.
1. Bad Compressor
One of the first things we will check is your air conditioner’s compressor. This is the system part that is responsible for circulating the refrigerant. If the compressor has gone bad, which can happen when it isn’t used for a long time, you may find yourself with hot rather than cold air blowing out of your vents in the summer. This is because the compressor cannot move the refrigerant around.
2. Blocked Condenser
Refrigerant gets hot as it circulates through the air conditioning system. The condenser is in charge of cooling it down so that you always have cold air blowing through your vents. Your automobile’s air conditioner condenser is located in the front of the engine, which means it’s subject to getting blocked by road debris. If this happens, you won’t have cold air blowing out of the vents.
3. Broken Condenser
The condenser can also get broken if it is hit by road debris that is large enough to cause damage. Sometimes small rocks and pebbles can find their way through your grill, and this can damage the condenser by puncturing holes in it. If this happens, the condenser’s operation is obviously compromised, and this might mean that you end up with a malfunctioning air conditioner and hot interior air.
4. Electrical Failure
Your automobile has a huge electrical system, and the air conditioner works off of this electrical system. Today’s cars, trucks, and utility vehicles have extensive wiring to accommodate the vehicle systems as well as all of your accessories, including the USB ports and entertainment system. If there is a problem in the electrical system that powers the air conditioner, your AC may not even turn on.
5. Fan Malfunctions
The compressor circulates the refrigerant, the condenser keeps it cold, and your fans blow it into your vehicle’s cabin. If the fans aren’t working properly, it’s only natural that you won’t feel refreshing air blowing through the vents. If you turn on the AC and you don’t hear the fans, this is a sign that there is something going on underneath the hood that needs to be checked out and fixed.
6. Low Refrigerant
Finally, what is an air conditioner without refrigerant? Depending on the age of your system, you may have a refrigerant leak that has depleted the system of refrigerant, or if you haven’t had your air conditioning system serviced in years, you may have low refrigerant levels because it has naturally dissipated. Have your refrigerant checked annually in the spring to make sure there’s plenty of it.
Techway Automotive has two auto service shops for your convenience. Call our Dothan, AL, shop if that is where you live. If you live in Blakely, GA, guess what? We’ve got a shop there, too, so give us a call to schedule your AC service appointment.