The average American drives 25 miles a day, with an average time behind the wheel of about an hour. Whether you hit that benchmark or go over it, one thing is for sure: you’re going to notice if your vehicle’s air conditioner stops working.
Perhaps your ride has gotten a bit too hot for your liking lately, and you want to know why. Here are five of the most common reasons why your car’s AC system may have stopped working.
1. Your Refrigerant Levels are Low
Refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air in your car. So, if levels of refrigerant in your engine are low, then the air-conditioning won’t work as well as it used to.
It is a delicate process to add freon or another refrigerant to your engine — it must be added in its gaseous state, as opposed to a liquid one. So, your best bet may be to seek out an auto repair professional to check your refrigerant levels and top them up for you.
2. There’s a Leak in the System
On that note, your engine’s refrigerant levels might be low if there’s a leak in your engine. This could very well be the culprit if you’ve refilled the refrigerant and experienced a short-lived improvement in your air-conditioning.
You’ll want to make sure there’s not a leak before you pour in any refrigerant. If you’re not sure how to gauge this, again, you’re probably better off having an expert look at your engine.
3. There’s Moisture in Your AC System
Your car’s air-conditioning system is a very fine-tuned piece of machinery. If even a bit of moisture manages to infiltrate the system, it can cause a pressure change that will make your car’s AC work erratically.
4. Your Compressor is Damaged
In order to push refrigerant through your car’s air-conditioning system, there needs to be a bit of pressure. The compressor is responsible for this — it pressurizes the refrigerant so it can move where it needs to go.
So, it makes sense that a faulty compressor would stop refrigerant from moving where it needs to be. As such, your AC system will stop working shortly thereafter.
5. There’s a Faulty Sensor
So much of your car’s air conditioning relies on sensors that alight in the engine. If one of those sensors stops working, it sets off a chain reaction that could ultimately stop your AC from working altogether.
Just as with the moisture in your system and the broken compressor, it would be tough for a non-mechanic to diagnose this issue. So, seek out a car care professional to help you pinpoint any faulty sensors in your engine.
Enjoy a Vehicle Air Conditioner Again
No matter what’s wrong with your AC system, one thing is for sure: you miss your vehicle air conditioner when it goes off. So, ask a professional to have a look at your engine to help you determine what’s wrong and what you can do to fix it. Soon enough, the cool air will be back — and you’ll be driving in comfort once again.
And for any further questions about your car’s AC or another other automotive area, be sure to check back with us for more news and information.
