Common Causes Of Ac Issues
A car air conditioner that isnt working the right way can make for an uncomfortable ride, especially in the summer heat. But what is the underlying source of your AC issue? Below, we look at some of the most frequent sources of problems with vehicle air conditioning systems and offer up solutions.
| Problem | Solution |
| AC refrigerant leak | Fixing an AC refrigerant leak involves an inspection and repairing or replacing a faulty part. If a sizable amount of refrigerant fluid is lost, a complete AC recharge may be necessary. We also recommend getting new o-rings to prevent further loss of refrigerant. |
| Electrical issue | Due to the complexities of climate control electronics, we recommend taking your vehicle to a repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence . |
| AC compressor malfunctioning | A compressor doesnt work when refrigerant fluid levels are low or theres a loss of power to the AC compressor. The solution will likely involve an AC compressor replacement. |
| Blower motor failure | This problem usually stems from broken cables, a faulty vacuum, or electrical issues. An ASE-certified auto repair shop will typically have to evaluate and diagnose. |
What Happens If You Dont Repair Your Ac Compressor
Unlike a lot of the systems that exist under the hood of your car, the air conditioning system is not an integral part of the cars function. That means it can run perfectly fine with no air conditioning. After all, for many years cars didnt have air conditioning and people just rolled their windows down, right?
If you dont repair your AC compressor, your car wont cease to function properly by any means. That said, it does make it much more uncomfortable especially if you live in a hot climate.
Dehydration is a serious risk factor in a car that doesnt have air conditioning on a hot day, however. If you must drive in hot weather without air conditioning, you need to make sure that you have adequate water on hand for you and your passengers. Small children, the elderly, and pets are all at high risk of this when sealed in a hot vehicle.
Thats why its recommended that you do get your compressor fixed whenever its possible. Just because its not vital to the functioning of a car does not mean that its not important either. No one wants to be more uncomfortable than I have to be when in a car, and even if you feel alright, you need to remember that your passengers comfort is important as well. You wouldnt want a small child or a dog to have to suffer if they didnt have to.
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Where Can I Get My Cars Ac Compressor Replaced Or Repaired
Your brands dealership network can replace the AC compressor in your car. However, these dealerships have large overhead costs and often charge as much as 35% more for the same work as a local garage. If your car is still under warranty, by all means, use the dealer.
However, a local trusted mechanic may be best for this job. An automotive repair chain would be one suggestion, but only if you have used the location before, know the mechanic is experienced, and have reason to trust the location.
Read more on How to Find a Good Mechanic here.
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Clean The Thermostat Or Replace It
The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of air circulated by your air conditioning system. If it malfunctions, then your air conditioning might not be able to switch on or off properly.
This will cause a lot of unnecessary work with your cars A/C repair because the system will continue working after the thermostat has been replaced with another one.
Why Ac Compressors Fail
Why is replacing a bad car AC compressor so expensive? The air conditioning system in your car or truck uses a compressor to compress and then expand the refrigerant to make it cold.AC compressor can fail due to a leak in the housing. Most of the time it fails internally. Bits of debris, like seals and metal from a bad AC compressor can become trapped inside other components. These components include the dryer, the orifice tube, and in some cases the condenser. These parts are susceptible to damage.
Because of the trapped bits of debris, these parts must also be replaced with the compressor, and all of the other parts and lines must be cleaned out.
You must replace these parts in order to receive the warranty. Parts and labor to replace these components can be expensive. This is the only way to ensure that the new compressor will work as it should. This will keep your cars air conditioning system running smoothly.
Just because youre AC isnt blowing cold air doesnt mean you have a bad compressor.
The refrigerant level might be low due to a leak, and that leak might not be expensive to fix. The AC Compressor will wear out faster if refrigerant and oil levels are low, so the best thing is to have the AC serviced every few years and catch any potential problems before they get expensive. An AC service doesnt cost much, and you can be more comfortable in your vehicle and potentially save a costly compressor repair.
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How To Fix The Ac In Your Car
Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
Want to know to fix the AC in your car if an issue arises? This article will explore some common causes of problems with air conditioning systems and offer a step-by-step guide on how to fix the AC in a car.
How Do You Know If Ac Compressor Is Bad
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Is It Worth Fixing A/c Compressor In Car
That is a question that comes up often for anyone owning a vehicle. People really want to know more about car ownership in general. Then they can get the car repairs done right in time. That is a time-honored tactic and one used by many people.
Suggest top ways to fix the car and get the project done right. Think about which option people can pursue in record time. The car shop is prepared to handle questions like these in real life too.
The new reviews for the car service are coming to the front. That project is bound to move ahead in a short time span. Think about which deals will elucidate a new plan. People really want to make things happen with their client list. That process is fast and easy for all of those who get involved.
S To Diagnose A Car Aircon Compressor Problem:
Step 1: With the engine running, turn on the A/C onto high.
This will cause the car air con to start up, activating the aircon compressor.
The car aircon compressor will suck refrigerant in from the evaporator under low pressure, compress the refrigerant and forward it to the condenser under high temperature and high pressure.
Step 2: Listen for any unusual noises.
Unusual noises can arise in a number of ways, so check the following before concluding that you need a new car air con compressor.
- Check the clamps and fixing points for breaks, cracks and any missing nuts or bolts.
- Check the hoses and lines to determine if vibrations from the engine are being transmitted to the cabin. Hold each line with one hand to see if it eliminates the suspicious noise.
- The car aircon compressor is driven by a belt. If the belt, clamping device, tensioner pulleys, or clutch are worn, they could cause unusual noises.
If none of these are causing the unusual noise, its best to get the vehicle checked out by a Natrad technician. The noise could be caused by excessive high pressure in the system or contamination of the air conditioner refrigerant. These issues need to be diagnosed by a licensed air con technician.
Step 3: Check to see if cool air comes from the air vents.
If there isnt cool air coming from the vents, there are a few checks you can start with to rule out a compressor issue:
Step 4: Check for a visible leak under the car.
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Preparing The New Compressor
Compare the new compressor to the old unit to ensure a proper installation. Sometimes the replacement unit can look slightly different due to updates and slight design variations. The one thing to look for is the configuration of the refrigerant ports on both the intake and exhaust sides. Also, check the belt pulley by counting the number of ribs which the belt must ride on also the outside diameter must be correct.
When installing the new compressor into the engine bay it’s a good idea to transfer some of the mounting bolts from the old unit or before lower it into the engine bay this will help for easier installation.
Though the system has peg oil throughout its internal workings and is usually including in the new compressor it’s a good idea to add a slight amount of compressor oil to ensure proper lubrication before installation, then reinstall dust caps. Some units have oil already installed be sure to read the installation instructions for more information which is supplied with the replacement unit.
Preparing To Add Refrigerant
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Check The Vacuum Hoses
If you want to know about the cost of fixing your cars A/C, then you have to consider how much money it will take and where the problem occurred. If your cars AC system is not working the way that it should, then you may have a simple vacuum hose problem.
Vacuum hoses carry gas from one part of your engine to another and if there are any holes in these hoses, then they can be very dangerous for both your vehicle and the passengers in it. If you want to save money on air conditioning repair, then you should check if there are any vacuum leaks in the system before they become a big problem.
What Is The Ac Clutch
The AC compressor clutch is a major part of the automotive air conditioning system. Its meant to engage and disengage the compressor pulley from the drive. The clutch is operated by an electromagnetic switch in most vehicles.
When the AC is turned on, the clutch gets electrical energy. This process engages the plate, along with the compressor belt. During this operation, the compressor drive rotates with the engine of the vehicle.
The clutch resembles a friction plate. Its located next to an electromagnetic coil. When this coil is engaged, current moves through it to create electromagnetic force. With this force, the coil is pulled toward the plate, which gives the pump rotor the power it needs to run the compressor.
If you turn the AC off, the clutch loses its electrical energy. Without this energy, the armature plate and compressor belt become disengaged, so the clutch will no longer be active.
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Can You Drive With A Faulty A/c Compressor
You can definitely drive with a faulty air compressor, as it will just be a pulley at that point. There wont be any draw on the engine, and no resistance to create excess friction.
If you dont care about air conditioning, just dont need it, or cant afford to fix it right now, dont sweat it . Just make sure that the accessory belt has tension and the compressor wheel isnt wobbling out of balance.
Ac Compressor Repair Costs
Weve gone ahead and made a list of the average costs for labor and components, based on the most popular car models. Keep in mind that this is more of a rough estimate of what you could pay for an AC compressor replacement, and costs differ from one repair shop to the other.
In this guide you will find:
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Replacing The O Ring Seals
O rings are used to seal the high and low side lines to the compressor housing. These sealing surfaces must be clean and free from dirt or damage to keep them from leaking. Use a small screwdriver or pick to carefully remove the old O ring seals from both the high and low side lines without scoring the sealing surface where the O ring sits, this will ensure a proper seal.
Match the old O rings to the new ones to ensure a proper seal. Keep an eye on the thickness because some O rings can be smaller in diameter then others. It’s a good idea not to reuse the old seals because they become flattened over time due to pressure and heat and may leak which would cause the job to be redone which means vacuuming down and recharging the system.
After cleaning the fitting thoroughly install a new O ring seal on each the low and high side fittings. Once installed apply a thin layer of peg oil over the O ring to help the installation without damaging or cutting the new seal, repeat this process for each line.
How To Replace The Compressor Clutch
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How Much Is It To Replace A Car A/c Compressor
Car repairs can come out of nowhere and can cost an arm and a leg depending on the issue. This article will be discussing the average cost of replacing a car air conditioning compressor.
On average, to get the A/C compressor replaced by a professional is around $1,100. The part alone can range from $600 to $850 which takes up most of the cost. At this point, it would be well worth it to just have a professional take care of the issue. However, it is possible to replace the part on your own if you are mechanically inclined.
The A/C compressor is responsible for taking low-pressure and low-temperature air and then converting it to high-pressure and high-temperature air. This allows the A/C system to blow cold air. If the compressor is bad the vehicle will not be able to produce cool air making for a miserable drive on a hot day.
All in all, the cost of repair depends on where you live. Be prepared to be spending over $1,000 to have your A/C compressor changed by a professional.
Can I Just Ignore An Ac Compressor Failure In My Car And Drive Without Ac
Although some new hybrids and EVs have a more modern heat pump design that runs electrically, most AC compressors in most cars are belt driven. The belt is called the accessory belt or serpentine belt, and it must spin in order for your car to work. If your AC compressor freezes, the belt can’t spin freely, and this is a problem.
Although many of us would simply forego AC in an older car to avoid the repair bill, unfortunately, that is not always an option. If the compressor, its bearing, or the clutch mechanism are causing the pulley to be frozen, you must have it fixed. The belt drives other things you need to make the car run safely and smoothly.
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