In the hot summers that we experience in Pakistan, an AC in your vehicle as you travel is a need of the hour. And it’s more than just an option to stay comfortable. People without an AC in their car pose a risk for contracting a dangerous heat wave and fall sick. So if your AC is malfunctioning during this time, it can get extra uncomfortable for you to travel. Getting your AC repaired should be part of your basic car maintenance checklist.
In this blog, we will share some car maintenance tips to help you identify what could be wrong with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, preventing it from functioning properly.
1. No Cold Air
This problem is mostly a result of a refrigerant leak. An AC’s cooling relies heavily on refrigerant to keep it working smoothly, and if a leak occurs, it leads to a failure in function and insufficient or no cooling. This usually happens due to a hole in hoses, connection, compressor, condenser, or because of a ruptured evaporator. Since refrigerant is meant to evaporate as soon as they’re exposed to the environment, these leaks are difficult to identify.
To get this fixed, it’s recommended you approach your automotive service provider or an experienced technician to identify the issue and use the necessary methods like utilizing a sealant, etc. designed for the automotive industry to close the leak.
2. No Air Coming From Vents
This may not be as clear-cut an issue as a refrigerant leak, hence you will need a professional to assess and identify the problem and its causes. They’ll probably check for a few things before reaching a conclusion and beginning repairs, e.g.
- Damage to the blower motor or blower resistor – the former pushes air through the vents inside the car, while the latter controls the levels of air produced to flow through the vents based on your choice (high, medium, low). When these parts become aged, they start malfunctioning by preventing air from coming through the vents.
- A blown fuse or bad relay – the former can mean there’s no power reaching the blower motor, preventing air from blowing through vents. While a bad relay means there’s not enough current being produced for ventilation to be regulated.
- Damaged hoses and belts – since the AC area has many belts and hoses operating the system, any leak, detachment, or blockage will prevent airflow from vents.
- Blocked air – there are two areas through which air is circulated in the vehicle, one through the vents by the lower half of the windshield, the other is recirculated from inside the cabin. If either is blocked or clocked, etc., the vents may end up not blowing air.
You will need to have the fuses/relay to get replaced by a professional. If the problem persists, you need to send your car for proper services to your automotive service provider for any repairs or replacements needed. Toyota Creek Motors has a team of expert and experienced technicians ready to tackle all of these problems for you.
3. AC Makes Noise when Turned On
Air conditioning systems are designed to be relatively quiet whenever in use. So anytime your car’s AC makes noise after being turned on, it can mean an underlying issue exists. Usually, it’s just leaves or other debris blocking the AC unit and producing these noises. But at times, it can mean a major component failure. A grinding or squealing sound can mean a worn-out bearing, while a rattling noise can mean the compressor’s clutch has failed.
If you experience all these issues and still continue to use your AC, it’s just going to get worse. Hence, taking your car to your automotive service provider for a basic car maintenance trip and get the necessary issues fixed.
4. AC goes from Cold to Hot
When your car’s AC goes from a comfortable chill to uncomfortably hot, you may recognize instantly that there’s a problem. This could be due to a malfunctioning expansion valve, meaning the right amount of refrigerant isn’t being dispensed to the evaporator. If this happens, and there’s an ample amount of moisture present, the valve can end up freezing.
To get this fixed, you’ll need to contact a certified technician to test the system and identify the issue to reach a solution.
5. AC Smells Like Mildew
In the vehicles that rarely use AC or are older or frequently use the max setting, bacteria can grow in their systems, behind the dashboard on the evaporator. This can produce a foul odor resembling that of mildew. In this situation, you will need to replace your air filters, so the smell recedes, but if this doesn’t fix the problem, then you need to contact a technician to use other methods to get rid of these bacteria.
6. Water on Floorboards
Bacteria can cause a lot more problems in your car than just a foul smell. When bacteria from the airflow in your vehicle combine with condensation on the evaporator coil in the AC heater box placed under your dashboard, they can end up creating a slimy film on AC fins as well. After a time, when not prevented, the film builds and clogs drain lines, that go from the heater box through the floor and to the undercarriage to remove excess water. This clog causes water from condensation to fill up the AC heater box and drip out and onto the floor of the vehicle, usually on the passenger side.
So if you notice your vehicle being damp without a proper reason, you need to immediately take it to your automotive service provider for immediate repairs. If you contact the experts at Toyota Creek, the technicians will determine your issue and repair it in all the ways necessary without much wait.
This was a list of issues your car’s AC could have if it’s not functioning properly. We hope it helps you out the next time your car’s air conditioning causes problems. If you need more information or have to get your car serviced, contact the experts at Toyota Creek Motors for further assistance.
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