As we head into the warmer months, it’s time to start bracing for summer heat, and that means making sure the air conditioning in our cars are ready. If your car AC is not working, it’s best to catch it now before the worst of the heat rolls in. The certified auto techs at Wilson Tire & Auto in Nashville will go over some common reasons your AC might not work and how to spot them.
Signs of a Broken Car AC
A broken AC will show different signs depending on the cause. Some issues will cause your AC to blow hot air or not-cool-enough air instead of cold. In some cases, there will be no air blown at all, or it will only blow at odd intervals under exact conditions. Mildewy smells, damp carpets, and green residue under your vehicle are also signs of a bad car AC.
Reasons Your Car AC Isn’t Working
Electrical Problems
An electrical system powers almost every aspect of your car, including the air conditioning. Any one component of that system — fuses, wiring, capacitors, breakers — could wear out or malfunction, leading to problems with the AC. Usually this displays as the AC turning on and off at regular intervals or struggling to start, as the build up trips the power.
Clogged Cabin Filter
The cabin filter, as the name implies, cleans the air that enters the cabin through the ventilation system. It filters out dust, pollen, insects, and anything else you don’t want to breathe, but in time gets fully clogged. When this happens, clean air can’t get through, and your AC fights against the resistance, burning energy. When the cabin filter is clogged, you may notice musty or mildewy smells, lack of airflow, or any air that does come through is hot, or not cold enough.
Sensors and Head Unit
The head unit is the part of the AC that the driver or passengers interact with directly, while the sensors, when working properly, should handle temperature adjustments independently to keep you comfortable. You adjust the buttons and knobs on the head unit to decide fan speed, temperature, and so on, then the sensors know when the car has reached your desired temperature, and can adjust the settings to keep it there. However, if the sensors are malfunctioning, there will be no adjustments, and if the controls in the head unit are faulty, you will not be able to set your AC how you would like.
Low Refrigerant or Other Leaks
Leaks are a common cause of a broken AC, between the puncturable hoses, seals, connections, compressor, and condenser that make up the system. Even a tiny hole can lead to inefficiency, and then greater and greater damage. Leaking refrigerant is particularly bad, since it is what cools the air that cools you. If your air isn’t cool, or is even starting to run hot, check your refrigerant levels. However, it is not enough to just top it off with more, as refrigerant doesn’t just go away. If you are low, there is a leak — check for that green, oily residue under your car for additional signs — which must be repaired.
Faulty Condenser or Compressor
The condenser sits at the front of a vehicle and pulls air in through the grate to cool refrigerant. The compressor then circulates the cooled refrigerant through the rest of the AC system towards the cabin while carrying any heat away. If the compressor malfunctions, the heat exchange can’t take place, leaving the air hot, and there will be a loud, unusual sound. If the condenser is faulty, then the refrigerant won’t cool in the first place.
How to Prevent a Broken Car AC
No one wants a broken air conditioner in their car, especially during a Tennessee summer. The best way to prevent it is with regular maintenance. This includes flushing and replacing your refrigerant every 3-4 years, changing your cabin air filter annually, and using your AC’s recirculate feature on humid days to minimize risk of mildew.
If you’re having trouble with your car’s AC, or you just want to have it looked at before summer, stop by, book an appointment, or give us a call at Wilson Tire & Auto.
