Most common issues with car A/C and heating units

We’ve all been there, you get to your car on a hot summer day looking forward to cooling down and the temperature never goes down. Or, it may cool but not cold the way you like it. It is time to get your car to the shop to get its A/C unit checked. The most common issues are:

Refrigerant is leaking

Nine out of ten cars than come to a mechanic with a faulty A/C do so because of a refrigerant leak. Finding the specific location of the leak can prove difficult. The way to find them is either spotting an oily substance on the tubbing, which is the refrigerant getting into contact with our air. Or using a kit, which introduces a dye into the system, and then using a UV light to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

The most common places for leaks are hose connections. Sometimes a specialized sealant can be used to seal minor leaks, which is an easy and cheap solution to the problem. The leak can also come from the condenser, which means you’ll have to replace it.

Electrical issues

Sometimes the issue can be as easy as a blown fuse, so always check that first. Then comes the hard work of checking all the wiring to see if everything’s ok. If you can’t find the problem, you may have a long arduous road ahead of you, replacing the whole A/C wiring.

Obstructed condenser

The condenser sits behind your car’s grill. Sometimes leaves, plastic bags, or other trash can get sucked in and block the condenser. If that happens then air will not flow between the condenser fins, which will prevent the cooling of the A/C refrigerant that flows inside it. If your A/C is not cooling, it is always a good idea to check if nothing is blocking the condenser.

Broken cooling fans

A/C units rely on cooling fans to cool the refrigerant traveling through the condenser. Especially if the car is stationary or at a very low speed, where the wind that comes through the car’s grill can render the fan unnecessary.

Checking to see if the fans work should be easy enough, just open the hood and perform a visual inspection after the car has been idling a few minutes with the A/C on.

Bad compressor

This one is rare and should be the last option to check upon. It is also the most expensive issue to fix. To avoid damaging your compressor, ensure you use it at least once a month since lack of use for a prolonged period is the leading cause of compressor damage.

If you are looking to get your A/C fixed, we are happy to help you get in contact with skilled technicians here.