How do I know if my car air conditioning is broken?

Your car’s air conditioning system is what keeps your car cool and comfortable. So when it’s not working in the summer you really feel it! Your cars air conditioning can also regulate the temperature within your car across the rest of the year and its just one of the things that can get worn and damaged over time. If you feel that it’s not working properly then it may be something you should get checked out. 

Although, if you are not quite sure if it needs an air conditioning check or repair, then here are the to signs of real car air conditioning system problems. If you notice any of these signs chances are you need to have it checked out.

What to look out for:

Weak airflow - A weak airflow coming out of your cars air conditioning vents means that the air is having trouble reaching your air vents. The problem can be due to mould or mildew in the evaporator core, problems with your blower hose, faulty ventilation fan or seal issues.

Leaking dashboard - A visible water stain on your floor or units might mean that your actual dashboard is leaking. A leaking dashboard can be a sign that your hose is blocked. This is common with older vehicles due to use and moisture over time. This can create lots of further damage so it’s best to get it checked out!

Losing your cool - When you notice your car’s air conditioning starts to lose its cool it may be time for a recharge! Lack of refrigerant is usually the main cause which can be fixed with a quick air conditioning recharge and service. This is not the only cause, it also could be due to a more serious issue like clogged tube or hose, broken compressor, damaged condenser or evaporator. It might even be a failed fuse or switch. If it’s more serious than a simple air conditioning refill then you may need a bit of fault finding and repair.

Leaking refrigerant - The refrigerant is the stuff that keeps everything cool. If you know that your air conditioning unit has recently been refilled or notice that you just cannot get it cool even after it has been turned on for a while then there is a chance that your refrigerant is leaking. This can often be the case due to wear and tear so you may need your seals and hoses servicing and repairing to stop your refrigerant from escaping. A leaking refrigerant needs an urgent fix as it can damage other vital parts of your air conditioning system.

Air starts out cold then suddenly goes warm - This is a common problem - you turn your air conditioning on and it blows cold but then all of a sudden it gets warm! This might be down to a leak, something blocking the refrigerant or some internal damage that stops your system maintaining the right pressure. Whatever it is it will need fixing.

Unusual noise - We all know that when it comes to our car that any funny noise or rattling is not good and should not be ignored. With air conditioning it could be a sign of a breakage or blockage so let us take a look at Richard’s Auto Services.

Bad smells when you turn your Air Conditioning on - If the air from your cars air conditioning vents smells funny “often like wet dog” then it may be a sure sign that your filters are dirty or worn. It might be fixed by a simple clean or you may need a replacement. A regular check of your air conditioning system will help to prevent this.

Air conditioning is always on or won’t turn on - If your compressor clutch is broken, or not moving, then your air conditioning will be stuck either always on on always off. This means that your air conditioning system is working overtime or it may be stopped from getting any power at all. In most cases once your compressor clutch is replaced your air conditioning will be fixed.

 Leaking oil - We don’t mean a traditional leak underneath your car – this relates to any component of your air conditioning unit leaking oil. As it is often an internal leak you may not spot this but you will notice your cars sudden inability to produce cool air. A quick inspection will get this spotted and fixed for you.

 Your air conditioning smells like burning? - This is an obvious sign of a broken car air conditioning unit. This is usually due to wiring problems or damage. It goes without saying that if you ever smell burning that you need to get it looked at quickly!! Often some wire replacements or repairs should fix this problem.

We Can Help 

Obviously, this is not the full extent of issues you may have with your car conditioning but it is a good overview of the main issues we see. In most cases the fix to your car air conditioning problem is done the same day and is simple and low cost. If you have any concerns about your air conditioning or if you just want a car air conditioning service or recharge then please do not hesitate to get in touch on 01691 622421.