6 Common Car AC Problems The summers in Winston Salem are scorching hot, and you don’t want to be driving down the road and your AC stop working. It’s not an uncommon issue, especially if your car has a little age on it, but it’s certainly not one that’s comfortable.
Plus, driving with no AC in North Carolina can be dangerous. You want to make sure you have your AC inspected before the peak of summer arrives, especially if you have anyone in your family with breathing issues or health concerns.
AC Problems We Fix
Your Ac might not be blowing out much air, or it’s struggling to keep the vehicle cool. Whatever the issue, it’s better to get it fixed while it’s still temperate out. Here are the six most common reasons for AC failure we see during the summer.
1. Bad Compressor
The compressor is one thing that you don’t want to go wrong with your AC system, as it’s the costliest part. However, they usually show some signs that there’s an issue before they bite the dust. Compressor issues won’t allow the unit to keep the car cool, it can leak fluid, make loud noises, and might trip the circuit breaker.
Now, keep in mind that other things can cause some of these issues. So, you need a mechanic to evaluate your vehicle when your AC stops working or is making weird noises.
2. Leaking Refrigerant
Leaking refrigerant is typically an easy problem to fix. You’ll probably notice that the air blowing from your vents isn’t cool, and this can indicate a leak.
Since there’s little to no refrigerant to cool the air, it’s quickly noticeable. Though a hose is the likely culprit, it can be other things too.
3. Electrical Issues
Almost every part of your car has electrical components, so virtually anything can go wrong in a connection and cause this unit to fail. We check the obvious things first, like leaks, holes, and compressor issues, then we must start looking for other things, such as an electrical problem.
If you’ve had different electrical problems in the car, it can indicate what’s going on.
4. Moisture Leak
Have you ever been driving down the road and felt water drip on your foot? It’s alarming at first, but if you notice this when you have the AC running, it’s caused by a moisture leak. There’s quite a bit of moisture collected from the air, and it’s released through tubing beneath the vehicle.
You naturally see a large puddle of water collect under your car when you run the AC, and this is normal. Now, this moisture should not be coming inside the cabin. Some people complain about the floor being soaked by water inside the vehicle. This can be some AC problems.
A wet floor can be caused from a leaking window, but the location is key. It’s a situation that needs to be fixed as the AC might still work, but the moisture can cause mold and other problems.
5. Blocked/Clogged Condenser
It’s impossible to drive down the road and not pick up some debris. If you look at the radiator under the hood, you might see bugs, leaves, twigs, etc. When you have stuff blocking your condenser, it can cause your AC to blow warm air.
This unit is responsible for condensing and making the scientific process where the refrigerant turns from a gas to a liquid. Once the liquid is activated, it works to pull the heat out of the air and cool it, which gives you a comfortable ride. When things are blocking this unit, and it cannot work properly, it won’t cool the air.
It can be as simple as cleaning out the coils on the radiator, or if something has put a hole in the condenser, it might need to be replaced.
6. Bad Blower Motor
There’s nothing more annoying than a blower motor on the fritz. It can make loud noises, speed up and slow down, or fail to blow any air at all. It isn’t that your AC isn’t making the air cool enough, but rather the blower can’t circulate it around the cabin. Blower motor issues are relatively common, and they will affect not only the AC unit but also the heater.
Scheduling an AC Inspection
Maybe you’ve noticed some of these AC problems and warning signs that your car’s AC isn’t working correctly, or perhaps you think everything is just fine. It’s always better to have your unit inspected before the summer heat swells. When the temperatures get above 90 degrees, the inside of your cabin can get up to 140 degrees, which makes for an uncomfortable ride.
This is a dangerous temperature to drive in, and you can get very sick. Please don’t leave your AC problems to time and chance, have it inspected and make sure it’s charged and ready for the summer heat. Call and schedule an inspection today!
