It’s hot and humid outside. You turn on your car’s air conditioner to get some relief. You wait for the initial hot air to cool down like it normally does. The problem is that it doesn’t. All that is flowing out of the vents is hot air. What could be going wrong with my car’s AC? Car Doctors Auto Repair advises that if it’s been years since you’ve had your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced, you may have a failed part in the system or problems with your vehicle’s electrical system. Let’s break this down further below.
Problems With the Condenser or Compressor
Your air conditioner’s condenser is basically a radiator within the air conditioning system. The condenser cools the refrigerant, which has been turned into a liquid by the compressor so that the air that blows over it is cooled. The condenser is located directly behind your automobile’s grille. This location can be of consequence to the condenser. Not only can the condenser be damaged by road debris, but it can also be clogged by dirt that flows into the engine.
The compressor is what turns the refrigerant gas into a liquid. It also circulates the refrigerant through the air conditioning system. The compressor likes to work. If it has been a long time since you have turned on your car’s air conditioner, the compressor could be malfunctioning and this is why the air blowing through the vents isn’t cold. One way to keep your compressor in shape is to run the air conditioner in your car monthly for about 15 minutes at a time.
Problems With the Refrigerant Levels
Your air conditioner’s refrigerant takes the form of both gas and liquid. The refrigerant levels must be enough to cool the air before it blows through the vents. Again, if it has been years since you’ve had your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced, it’s possible that you have low refrigerant levels and this is the reason why the air blowing through the vents is hot. When in liquid form, the refrigerant can leak through the hose connectors. It can also evaporate.
Problems With the Electrical System
Finally, there may be a problem with your vehicle’s electrical system and this is why you aren’t getting any relief from your air conditioner. In some cases, you may turn on the air conditioner but it won’t actually turn on because there is an electrical disconnect. Even if the air conditioner turns on, the fans associated with the air conditioning system may be malfunctioning due to an electrical problem.
Call Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA, to schedule an appointment for an air conditioning system inspection and service. We will get cold air blowing through the vents again.
