You’re driving down the road in the middle of the summer when all of a sudden, your AC goes out. You roll down the windows, which provides you with cooling relief until you have to stop at a stoplight.
By the time you get home, you’re drenched in sweat and need several showers. You’re not sure why your car AC is not working but you need to get to the bottom of it, fast.
A broken air conditioner is a hard problem to diagnose because there are so many things that can cause it. We might be able to help you narrow things down, though. Keep reading to learn what your AC’s issue is.
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Bacteria Build-Up
When the weather outside gets to be too hot, we tend to put our AC units to work. That’s all well and good except, running the unit like that attracts particles of dust and dirt. After a while, so much bacteria will build up that it will block your vents.
If left unchecked, mold may start to form, which isn’t good for your health. That’s why it’s so important to get your car serviced every 6 months or so.
A professional will clear out any dust particles and get your AC working like new again. Not only is this healthier for you, but it’s healthier for your car too.
The more dust there is, the harder the AC unit has to work to try and keep the car cool. So, blockages can wear it out and cause worse problems down the road.
Electrical Problems
Hot weather can do a number on your car. The harsh UV rays from the sun can fade your paint job, crack your interior, and mess with the car’s internal wiring.
This is one of the most common car AC problems but it can be fixed with a simple DIY method involving electrical tape. We will tell you that if you’re not careful, you can do more harm than good. If you dislocate or misplace a wire, it will cost a lot of money to fix it.
You might be better off taking it to a professional and allowing them to diagnose and fix the problem. It won’t cost as much as repairing botched DIY work.
Refrigerant Leak
So, no matter how much you use your car ac recharge kit, your air doesn’t stay cool. You might have a refrigerant leak. If you’re unfamiliar with what refrigerant is, it’s what keeps the car’s cabin cool.
Without it, your AC can’t function the way it should. This is a common issue that usually happens after you’ve experienced a bad car accident. The AC hose is damaged and starts to leak.
While you can put more refrigerant in the car, that’s only a temporary fix. Take it by the mechanic as soon as you notice something is up so they can test it and get it fixed. You don’t want to be on the road for too long at a time with a leaky hose.
Blocked or Broken Condenser
If you don’t change your filter or keep your AC vents cleaned, dirt and debris will clog up the condenser. When that happens, your AC will no longer be able to function the way that it should.
The good news is that blockages aren’t that hard to get rid of. The mechanic will take a few minutes to clear out the obstruction and you’ll be able to get back on the road again. It’s not a problem until your condenser is broken.
If your condenser is broken, it will take a professional hand to fix and it won’t be cheap. You can try to fix it yourself and save a few dollars, but it’s not safe.
Bad Compressor
Your compressor has a big job. It allows the refrigerant to circulate through your car the right way. If it doesn’t work, you’ll be met with a face full of hot air when you try to turn on the AC.
This is something that happens if you haven’t had to cut the AC on in a while. When the hot months arrive again, switch on the AC and let it run for a while. After about 20 minutes, things should start to cool down.
If it doesn’t, that means that you have a faulty compressor. You’ll need to take your car in for repairs and sadly, it won’t be a cheap fix.
Blown Fuse
If one of your fuses goes, the entire compressor won’t be able to function anymore. Hot air will fill the cabin and heat things up in your vehicle. A broken fuse can also start to affect the circuit switches inside your car.
The good thing is that replacing a broken fuse is pretty easy. You can probably do it yourself but you should consider going to a mechanic instead. Not only will they fix the problem but they can give you helpful advice that will prevent it from happening again.
Why Do You Think Your Car AC is Not Working?
When your car AC is not working in the middle of the summer, things get miserable pretty fast. Depending on the cause of the issue, it can also be dangerous for you and the car.
That’s why it’s important to get to a mechanic as soon as you can. Let them make repairs before it becomes a problem that you can’t afford to fix.
With the right amount of maintenance, you can keep your AC going strong for as long as your car can run. Check out the care & repair section of our blog to learn how it’s done.