Before talking about car air conditioning troubleshooting and replacement, it is not too bad idea to explore its history. Well, perhaps you don’t know when the first time air conditioner appliances were used in automobiles. The answer is in the early of 1940-s. Today, we can find car air conditioning systems have developed better and more efficient, although the main working principle untouched. Or we can say that basically the mechanism system of car AC and residential AC (either window AC, portable AC or even central AC models) have the similar working principle.

Standard car air conditioning systems at this time are usually consisted of five major components that are; (1) expansion valve (it has function to maintain the liquid flow to the evaporator), (2) condenser (it is the place where the gas and heat condenser separated), (3) compressor (it has function to compress the refrigerant gas (Freon)), (4) evaporator (here is usually the cool liquid will be arrested before transferring into the inside space of the car) and (5) accumulator or also usually familiar known as ‘receive drier’ (it has function to ensure the expansion valve is only flowed by liquid refrigerant). Moreover, there is also available receiver ‘driver’ or usually is called as orifice ‘tube’, it depends on the model of air conditioner system of the car.

So, do you feel the air conditioner system of your car cannot work properly and optimally? Perhaps the following information is simple guide on how to troubleshoot this problem (simple guide on car AC troubleshooting):

1. First, check and consider about the leaks! You should know that a leaky compressor can lost the refrigerant significantly that finally will make the unit cannot cool the air powerful. Make ensure there are no leakages in the hose or maybe in the O’ring seal. In addition, identifying the Freon leaks is so important before recharging the refrigerant.
2. Then, check and analyze the pressure! You can use or attach an AC service gauges to measure and analyze the pressure of the system! The proper pressure is so important and can influence the performance of AC system significantly. Although the volume of refrigerant is sufficient but if the pressure is low or too low can cause the serious problems.
3. Inspect the performance of compressor! Make sure the magnetic clutch work properly (check it is engaging or not). The low refrigerant and of course the mechanical problems are usually the dominant factor that can lead to the poor performance of compressor, especially the clutch. And if you find the clutch works well but the compressor still cannot operate well then maybe you have to replace the compressor.
4. It is not too bad idea to also take a look at ‘blown fuses’ and the wiring. Unfortunately, sometimes reforming and turning a blown to its normal performance could be the temporary solution if the underlying problem cannot be solved as well.
5. Analyze the temperature level inside of the car when the air conditioner system is working. If you find the temperature is cold but not for too long then maybe there is moisture build-up or freezing up. Don’t forget to listen and analyze the excessive unfriendly noise. It could be bad effect of poor performance of hose or even compressor that should be replaced.
6. Don’t miss to check other crucial parts such as switches and seal failure.
7. Then make a list about some parts that should be replaced. You can find and buy those parts in the local auto supply stores of your local area. In addition, it is also better to clamp off any part of the system that are not actually functioning such as removing the back system hose if you use a van that has ‘rear air’ and ‘refrigerant’ which is usually leaking from the back-system, in order to avoid future leakages!

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Tags: car AC troubleshooting, car air conditioning troubleshooting