6 Signs That Your Car's AC May Need Service

6 Signs That Your Car's AC May Need Service

Posted on July 5, 2018

Edmonton enjoys a sunny climate in summer while winter weather is
frigid. A well-functioning car air conditioning system is essential to stay
comfortable in summer and defrost windows during icy winter weather. If you
experience any of the following problems with your car's HVAC system, it's time
to take it in for repairs. 

Weak Airflow

Weak airflow indicates that air is not reaching the vents. This is
often due to mold or mildew buildup in the evaporator core. Other reasons are a
loose blower hose or fried ventilation fan. If none of these are the problem,
check if the core case seals, blower house seals, or evaporator core case seals
have opened. 

The Air is Warmer Than Normal

If you notice that the air isn't as cold as it normally is, get
your vehicle checked. The problem could be one of the following: 

• Clogged
  expansion tube or refrigerant charging hose
• Damaged
  compressor
• Broken
  blower motor or resistor
• Failed
  condenser or evaporator
• Failed
  fuse or switch
• A
  freon leak or vacuum leak

Leaks cause the most damage. If left unfixed for a long time,
moisture will enter the unit and damage vital parts of the system, resulting in
costly repairs. 

It Starts Out Cool But Gets Warmer

An air conditioner that starts out with cool air but then gets
warmer could mean that the expansion valve is blocked. When this happens, it prevents refrigerant
flowing into the evaporator. Other causes could be a damaged compressor clutch
that is no longer maintaining the correct pressure, a blown fuse, or a leak.

A Foul Odor

A nasty odor from the vents often means there is a leak or that
the air filter needs replacing. It could also mean mold has built up in the
evaporator case or the air vents. Mold poses a health risk, and you should get
these cleaned as soon as possible. Another possibility is that a rodent crawled
into a hose or got caught in the blower motor and is decomposing. Give the air
vents a sniff to identify the smell. The smell of leaked refrigerant is
different from the smell of a dead rodent.

Burning Smell

It's not hard to identify the distinct smell of something burning.
Usually, this indicates the wiring of the compressor is either burned or is
overheating. It's only a matter of time before the air conditioner stops
working. You will have to take the car to a professional to fix the
wiring. 

Strange Noise

If you hear rattling or any other unusual noise when you turn on
the air conditioner, don't ignore it. It may simply be debris clogging the
system, or it could be a sign of a more serious problem like a broken fan belt
or condenser.

Most drivers don't pay much attention to their car's air conditioning
system until it goes on the blink. Don't wait until then. It is always a good
idea to do some regular maintenance like changing air filters and taking it
for a service. This will ensure you never have to sit in a pool of sweat or
struggle to see out of a foggy windshield because of a failed HVAC unit. It's also a great idea to take your vehicle over to Crosstown Chrysler Jeep Dodge to get your air conditioning system checked out by our skilled service department.