Auto AC Problems
When the air conditioning (AC) goes out in your car in the midst of summer, you may think it's the worst thing that can go wrong. Before you panic over how much the repair is going to cost, troubleshoot the AC first to learn the extent of the issue, which will help you better describe the AC problem to your mechanic and, hopefully, save you from costly repairs.
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Common AC Problems
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Common AC problems include leaking refrigerant, sporadic temperatures, noisy compressor and stinky air.
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Leaking Refrigerant
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Leaking refrigerant happens often with older cars, because there is not enough refrigerant within the assembly. Sometimes it is not because of the lack of refrigerant, but because there can be a leak in the AC compressor, evaporator or along the hoses. When there are leaks, either from ruptured hoses or poor connections within the assembly, this will normally result in system shutdown. A mechanic can check for leaks and tell you the best course of action for the specific leak.
Sporadic Temperatures
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Sporadic temperatures happen when your car blows warm and cool off and on. This is a result of moisture getting in your system and causing ice to develop and obstruct the orifice tube near the evaporator. If you explain this issue to your mechanic, he can use a vacuum pump to push the moisture out. Sporadic temperatures can also happen as a result of problems in the car's electrical system. The compressor clutch may be unable to receive a strong enough electrical charge from the battery. When the charge is not strong enough, the clutch can fail to trigger the compressor.
Noisy Compressor
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A noisy compressor can be from the hoses or any component that has begun to shake near the engine. The mechanic might discover the AC compressor is the cause of the noise, and, as a result, you will need to get the compressor replaced. This can cost you at least a couple of hundred dollars.
Stinky Smell
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The AC can be giving off a strange odor. When the AC stinks, it is usually because bacteria have grown on the evaporator. Ask the mechanic if he can use an enzyme solution to clean out the AC before you pay to replace it.
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- Photo Credit "Brothers" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: marcp_dmoz (Marc) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
