Saturday, February 1, 2014
Problems with Car Air Conditioning
A cars air conditioner that isnt working properly, or isnt working at all, may be caused by a variety of problems, ranging from broken buttons on the console to loose hoses. Although most air conditioning problems need to be fixed by a mechanic, having an idea about what is going on under the hood will help you know what to expect and what questions to ask.
Broken Controls
When you notice a problem with your air conditioning, check the dashboard controls before anything else. Poor air conditioning may simply indicate a broken knob, button or digital display, according to the Auto Media website. See if any of buttons or dials look damaged before you assume that the air conditioning unit itself is experiencing problems.
No Cool Air
Air conditioning units that fail to produce cold air may be lacking rigerant. While it is natural for cars to lose some coolant over time, any significant loss is likely to affect the temperature of the air coming out of the vents. Refilling the coolant is a simple procedure, but a mechanic should test the system for any leaks to prevent the problem from occurring again. Water or oil spots beneath the car may indicate a rigerant leak.
A lack of cool air may also indicate a loose or broken belt, clogged valve or faulty air compressor. Since specialized equipment is often needed to diagnose these problems, they are best handled by a mechanic. If no air is coming out at all, it may be that the blower fan is malfunctioning.
Unpredictable Air
If the air coming from the cars vent is not as cool as usual, or if the cool air is unpredictable, it may be due to ice that has formed in the air conditioning units tubing, according to the Edmunds website. In order to resolve this problem, the system must be vacuumed in order to remove any unwanted moisture. The line may also be blocked by other contaminants. Other causes of partial cooling include a loose drive belt or defective clutch.
Noise
Loose or shaky hoses may cause the air conditioning system to run louder than usual. Unfortunately, noise may also indicate that the compressor itself is going bad. High pressure or contaminated rigerant are other causes of this problem.
Odor
Occasionally, the air coming from your cars vents may have an unpleasant odor. This is almost always caused by bacteria growing in the air conditioning system, reports the AA1 Car website. Even if you can tolerate the smell, the microbes in the air create a health hazard. Solve this problem by having a mechanic spray the system with a chemical solution.
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