How to diagnose a broken auto air conditioner. And what to do about it.
During the sweltering summer months, a broken car air conditioner can make driving your vehicle practically unbearable. If your A/C stops working correctly, your best bet is to go to a Las Cruces auto air conditioning repair facility. However, for those with a little technical know-how, there are some things you can check on your own.
An auto air conditioner is essentially a strange refrigerator that uses refrigerant to move heat from inside of your vehicle to outside. It’s important to note that putting refrigerant into your system if it’s leaking or otherwise releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere is illegal in the United States.
- A low level of refrigerant is one common problem in many auto air conditioners. If your air conditioner cools very slightly than it might be because the pressure in the system is too low. If this is the case, simply fill the refrigerant back to normal levels.
- Check for leaks in the system that may cause your refrigerant to completely leak out. To do this you can buy a fluorescent dye from any auto parts store and run it through your system. This will allow you to find exactly where and how large the leak is.
- Check the compressor while your engine is running. The compressor is a pump with large rubber and steel hoses attached to it. It is responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. If you’re A/C is running but the pulley on the compressor is not working, you have located the source of your problem.
- Other potential issues with your A/C unit can include broken wires, burnt out fuses, bad switches, and worn out fan belts. Check over all parts of the system to search for parts that look worn or broken.
Please only attempt to work on your car air conditioner if you understand exactly what you are doing as you can cause damage to yourself and your vehicle if things are done wrong. If you need help, find a Santa Fe auto air conditioning repair facility near you.
