When the mercury starts to creep up, it’s awfully nice to switch on your car’s air conditioning. So it’s a rude awakening when your vents are blowing tepid or warm air at you on a 95-degree day.
Air conditioning systems cool your car by doing two things: lowering the air’s temperature and reducing its humidity. A/C systems use a special fluid called refrigerant or coolant that extracts heat and moisture from the interior air, resulting in cooler air. Cooling and dehumidifying the air requires several steps. That means there are many parts of your A/C system that can malfunction or break.
The most common source of A/C problems lies with the refrigerant. If your car’s air conditioning system springs a leak and the refrigerant level goes down, it will be tough for your car to lower the air temperature. Leaks often happen as hoses and seals break down over time. Whatever the cause, leaky areas can also cause corrosion or other permanent damage as moisture seeps into your A/C system — something you want to avoid!
Even if your system stays sealed up tight, it’s common to lose small amounts of refrigerant over time; it’s simply part of normal wear and tear. A low level of refrigerant is easy to fix. Your mechanic can top off the refrigerant level so the air can get cool once again.
Another frequent source of warm air is a malfunctioning air conditioning compressor, an essential component of any A/C system. If the compressor conks out, things will heat up quickly. Compression problems aren’t always caused by a complete compressor breakdown; smaller issues, like a stuck clutch, can be the culprit, too.
Electrical problems can throw a wrench into your A/C (see what we did there?). Whether the problem is a blown fuse or a failed switch, getting electrical issues fixed quickly will not only keep you cool, but will prevent additional damage to your A/C system.
Other potential trouble spots:
- Problems with the condenser;
- Cooling fans, which push air out of the vents but can break;
- Blocked connections or hoses; and/or
- Malfunctioning sensors.
No matter what the cause, if you aren’t feeling the cool you crave, an air conditioning system check-up is just the ticket. Pretty soon, you’ll be chillin’ once more.
