Why is my car air conditioning not working?

The weather is getting warmer and you may find yourself wondering, “Why is my car air conditioning not working?”  During the warm temperatures of summer, your AC unit will receive a lot of use.  Thus, it is vital that you take care of your car air conditioner so that you aren’t stranded on the road looking for car AC repair.

In addition to hoses and refrigerant charging ports, the AC system consists of 5 major parts:

• Compressor
• Condenser
• Receiver dryer 
• Expansion valve
• Evaporator

How does the air conditioner keep you cool?  As the refrigerant is compressed in the compressor, it turns into a hot gas which is cooled to a liquid state and travels to the expansion valve.  The Freon returns to a low-pressure gas as it passes through the expansion valve and is rapidly cooled in the evaporator.   A small fan blows over the evaporator, cooling the air that eventually blows out your car vents.

So why is my car air conditioning not working?  Here is a list of several typical issues:  

• The coolant has lost its efficiency due to exposure to the excessive heat of the engine, road debris, dirt, vibrations, quick stops, and even run-ins with curbs.
• The AC’s compressor can’t create a high enough pressure to correctly cool the refrigerant.  This could be caused by a block in the system, or cracks in the unit have developed cracks that allow the refrigerant to escape.
• The cooling fans could be burned out, poorly mounted, a fan blade is chipped, or there is a blown fuse or burnt-out relay.
• An electrical issue could be sending a faulty signal caused by a broken wire, bad module, or bad sensors.

If you have not already scheduled an auto AC service, make sure to do so before heading down the road on a hot summer day. The benefits include improved gas mileage, a more environmentally-friendly vehicle, and a more relaxed drive.

If you’re looking for quality car AC repair, Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about why your car air conditioner may not be working and make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.