| December 5th, 2008 by admin |
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When Your Car’s Air Conditioner Stops Working
When Your Car’s Air Conditioner Stops Working
It wasn’t so long ago that many cars were sold without air conditioning. It was considered a luxury, affordable only to people who were well-off. Of course, nearly every car sold today comes equipped with a stock A/C unit from the factory. On extremely hot days, it can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re stuck sitting in traffic. However, air conditioners are not infallible. When they fail to work properly, sitting in your vehicle can turn into a miserable experience. Today, I’ll give you a quick overview of your vehicle’s air conditioning unit. I’ll explain how it works and a few reasons why it can malfunction.
How Your Car’s A/C Works
Let’s first go through the parts. Your car’s A/C is made up from a compressor, evaporator, thermostatic valve, condenser, receiver-drier, and refrigerant. When you flip the switch to produce cold air, the compressor forces refrigerant into the condenser. At that point, the refrigerant is in vapor form. When the condenser receives it, the vapors are turned into liquid. Next, the newly-formed liquid makes its way to the receiver-drier, where it’s stored.
While this is happening, the compressor pressurizes the entire air conditioning system. The receiver-drier pushes the refrigerant (remember, in liquid form) to the thermostatic valve. This valve depressurizes the liquid and allows it to expand as vapors again. Eventually, they make their way into the evaporator where they absorb heat. As that happens, fans blow the cold air into the car, causing the temperature to decline.
Possible Causes Of Malfunction
So, what causes the air conditioner to not work properly? The issue can actually be linked to a number of potential causes. The expansion valve might be broken or clogged. Or, a drive belt within the system might have become loose. Or, the compressor may be broken. Also, the refrigerant level can be low. Whatever the problem is, when most of these parts malfunction, the fans inside the system will continue to blow air, but the air won’t be cooled.
Enjoying The Cold Air
Most problems with your vehicle’s A/C need to be checked and fixed by a trained mechanic. Cars that have been sold over the past decade use parts that are crowded and can even be hidden, making repairs a challenge unless you own the right tools. Mechanics suggest having your A/C system tested periodically to make sure that the parts are functioning properly. Turn it on every once in awhile, even if you don’t normally use it. The reason is because the refrigerant contains compounds that lubricate the compressor. That way, when you really need cold air, you’ll be able to flip the switch, confident that your car’s air conditioner will work.
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