Check Your Air Conditioner

Last year we posted a blog on how to keep your air conditioner in good shape. Since we are now into May and the weather is getting warmer, now is a good time to review that post from a year ago as a refresher.

You may be able to do some of the more manageable tasks of maintaining your car, like checking fluid levels and changing filters or even the motor oil. Taking care of an air conditioner requires specialized equipment that most people do not have lying around the house. If you turned on your air conditioner and it blew warm air that just didn’t get warm, then you probably need to have the system checked out.

As with most systems in your car, multiple things can go wrong, and any failure can lead to the single problem of warm air coming out of the vents, even if you have all of the dials set to cold.

Here are a few things you can check for that may let you know if you need to get your air conditioner checked.

1. Listen for unusual noises. When you turn on the air conditioner, you are going to hear noises related to the compressor turning on, and obviously of the air blowing if you have the fans turned up. After that, you shouldn’t hear any other noises. If you hear a rumbling sound, it could mean your compressor is on the verge of failing.

2. Check for any unusual smells. If you get a weird smell and your allergies seem to kick in when you turn on your air conditioner, it could be a sign that there is a leak in the evaporator, and you have mold and mildew in the system.

3. Track the temperature and the thermostat. When you have the air conditioner on, the compressor will turn on if the temperature gets too high, and it will cut off when the temperature gets too low. This is called cycling. Cycling helps to keep the air at the temperature you want to keep you comfortable. It also works this way to keep the compressor from freezing. If the compressor doesn’t turn off, it could be a sign of a broken thermostat or thermistor. It could be more likely a clogged cabin filter that does not allow the air to flow properly through the cabin. When this happened, the air cannot get through the vent where the sensors tell the compressor when to turn on and off.

4. Check for water draining from the Air Conditioner. You have seen that air conditioner have water draining from them. In a car, the water drains out under the car. Depending on the outdoor temperature and humidity, you may not see that much water, but whatever water you do see should be outside of the car. If the drainage is somehow blocked the water could seep into the cabin of the car itself. Check the floor by the passenger seat. If you see water, it means you have a blockage in the system somewhere. You will want to get the water out as soon as possible to avoid mold or a musty odor in the car.

For some people, the summer means taking the top down on a convertible. For others, it is a time to close the windows and turn the air conditioner up to high. When you expect cold air to make your driving experience more pleasurable, nothing is more disappointing than having warm air blowing in your face. If your air conditioner is not working correctly, bring the car to us to check it out.