Pressure gauges can be used to check the refrigerant charge. Compressor Replacement. Component 4: Metering device. Turn the vehicle on, shift it into in park (for automatic transmissions) and engage the emergency brake. Though these are the primary components of the air conditioning system, your vehicle has a series of electrical circuits that allow it to function, as well as a dash system that contains numerous doors that move within the dash that can affect effectiveness. When the condenser leaks, depending where and how big the leak is, all of the high pressure refrigerant can and will eventually leak out, disabling the entire AC system. Reason 1: Voltage. Allow the dye to works its way through the system. Ideally, there should be no breeze or wind. Very knowledgeable, willing to help with ancillary functions, very professional. Inspect the clutch located at the front of the AC compressor and make sure the clutch rotates freely. Once you’ve determined the problem, it’s time to move on to getting the repair done. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. Step #1: Make sure the system is full of Freon. There is never a good time for your air conditioning in your car to stop working, but it typically seems to happen in the dead heat of summer. If I ever need another mechanic, William is the one I want. See if the temperature of the air coming from the main dash vents is cold. If you notice visible holes or clear damage to the condenser, you have no option but to replace it. The most effective way to locate a leak is with refrigerant dye. It’s not comfortable to drive in warm weather without a working condenser, but this won’t harm your vehicle. If you don’t receive any alerts to a leak, you want to adjust the sensitivity settings and scan again. Have the system pressure tested and leak detected to see if the water pump is leaking... Hello! Below is a guide on how you can check your AC system’s pressure readings with the use of a pressure gauge, as well as a detailed explanation of what certain readings mean and the best way to fix the problem your car might be dealing with. You will test the O rings first since this is a common place for leaks to occur. Connect a pressure gauge to the low side of the AC compressor, typically found on the firewall passenger side in the engine compartment. The idle is not supposed to increase in speed when your compressor engages, rather the throttle plate should adjust at the same time the A/C engages to maintain the same RPM at idle. Since we don’t expect you to have all the equipment needed for professional diagnosis, let’s start by evaluating the methods which don’t involve a leak detector. Component 3: Evaporator. You will need a set of AC pressure gauges to check the following. The air conditioning still does not work. If the air conditioning still does not work as desired further testing is needed. Car care is important and car air conditioning is something that people take for granted. Component 2: Condenser. Warning: Never install the gauges with the system running. With a clogged condenser, you will notice higher pressures even though you have the right amount of refrigerant in the system. If your AC condenser is about to experience failure, you may notice one of the following warning signs: Loud and abnormal noises coming from the unit Significantly reduced cooling capability from the unit The unit is leaking a noticeable amount of fluid past the typical amount of condensation 100% knowledgeable and skilled. Ford Ranger - Car AC Repair - Glendale, Arizona. Though every air conditioning system will vary, you want to see the high side pressure around 20 psi and the low side around 40 psi. Step #3: Listen for a rapid beep as a sign. Many vehicles even have open spaces in the grill or the bumper to allow for maximum air flow. The compressor clutch will usually be located under... 3. Step #2: Turn on your detector and adjust it to the lowest sensitivity setting. If your system doesn’t show any immediate signs of leakage, then you want to purchase a leak detector. If there is pressure but the reading is below 50 psi then the system is low and may just need to be recharged. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - Car AC Repair - Orlando, Florida. As you examine the condenser, don’t forget to look at the hose connections as well. So, it is equally important to check those leaks. Your car's air conditioning system works just like a refrigerator or your home air conditioning. Alexander Was professional, professional, and friendly. Step 6: Reach desired pressure. Make sure that you do not overcharge the system as too much refrigerant is just as bad - if not worse - than too little. Component 5: Hoses or lines. Step 4: Turn on engine. Below are the most common causes of poor air conditioning performance and what can be done to get you comfortably back on the road. Read the parts below to understand the different conditions that you may see: When performing your initial check, if air does not come from the center dash vents or if the air is coming from the wrong vents (such as the floor or windshield vents) then you have a problem with the interior climate control system. The condenser is located in the front of the radiator and is used to remove heat from the refrigerant. Much like a radiator, an air conditioning condenser is used to get rid of heat.But instead of working with the engine cooling system, the condenser helps cool the AC's refrigerant.. Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. You have to ensure that the clutch is rotating without any difficulty. A slipping belt also won’t drive the compressor reliably. We highly recommend taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic that has experience with electrical systems or finding a wiring diagram for your vehicle so that you know what color wire is for what. Most of the time you won’t see these leaks unless you look very closely. Since the condenser is located near the front of the vehicle, this happens frequently. Open the hood of your car and locate your AC compressor clutch. Typically, all systems today contain R-134A refrigerant. Nissan Altima - Car AC Repair - Oviedo, Florida. This is known as a metering tube or an expansion valve and can be located either under the dash or under the hood near the fire wall. Once you find the leak repair it as needed. Step 3: Observe the pressure readings on the gauges. It often gets hit with debris and small rocks which can cause a leak. Circuit Breaker Tripping. Your vehicle’s compressor, powered by the serpentine belt, compresses the refrigerant into a liquid, putting it into a high-pressure state. If the pressures do not change at all when the compressor engages then the compressor has failed or there is a problem with the metering device. Told me what was wrong with my AC Clutch. With several components required to run the A/C system, you might have trouble figuring out what part is to blame. This blocks the required circulation from happening. While I realize this is a pain, it’s the only way to ensure that your air conditioning works properly. Nissan Altima - Car AC Repair - Apopka, Florida, Such a cool dude . It’s also possible for the leakage to occur when physical damage stems from road debris or rocks. If the belt is slipping, you’ll probably hear some squeaking or squealing noise. You are either too low on freon, you have a power/ground issue meaning the compressor isn’t receiving the signal to turn on, or the clutch itself is bad. An air conditioning system pressure switch can disrupt the circuit if certain pressures are not met or if the switch is failing. Copyright ©2020 CarParts.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Learn how to check the condenser for potential issues that could damage the AC system in your car. But periodic testing of the condenser in the car might (sometimes) disclose a deteriorating condition before it actually fails. This will keep the idle the same... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. How Does a Car’s Air Conditioning Work? Having some knowledge about how the air conditioning works in your vehicle can help you get the system functioning again. If your outside condensing unit keeps losing power and tripping the circuit, … Reason 3: Moving parts. The pressure sensor for the system also presents a popular place to find leaks check at the base and at the electrical connector. When in doubt, seek the help of a professional for further guidance. Condensers are subject to clogs because of the leftover particles in the refrigerant. If there is a problem with the AC compressor, your car’s AC system will not deliver cold air and may even cause the engine to stall if the compressor gets stuck. If the reading is above 50 psi and the compressor is not engaging then there is either a problem with the compressor or you have an electrical system failure that needs to be diagnosed. P2613 OBD-II Trouble Code: A/C Refrigerant Distribution Valve Control Circuit High, How to Troubleshoot a Small Engine Problem, Symptoms of a Bad or Failing AC Low Pressure Hose. Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. It’s... Hey there. These consist of metal and rubber lines to carry the refrigerant. My back in the cold ✊, Ford Thunderbird - Car AC Repair - Winter Park, Florida. What Gases Does the OBD Detect in the Exhaust? The compressor of the AC system is likely to have specifications regarding the amount of oil to be added. If you suspect you’ve got an AC condenser leak, there are two ways to check. Step 1: Turn the engine off and install the gauge set. If the air conditioning still does not work as desired further … Older vehicles were built with R-12, which is no longer used because it contained high amounts of ozone depleting compounds. Open the hood of your vehicle, and locate the air compressor. There are many pieces to the puzzle of equipment that is the car air conditioner, but one vital component of your vehicle’s cool air system is the air-conditioning condenser. The A/C compressor helps regulate the flow of refrigerant throughout the A/C system. Warning: You must have a special license to legally service an air conditioning system. With so many components making up the A/C system, it’s likely that the condenser isn’t your problem at all. In this situation, you might need more than a condenser, but also the tubes, receiver dryer and compressor. You have now filled the system with refrigerant. After all, who wants to arrive at work drenched in sweat? Continue to move up in sensitivity as you scan. If both the high and the low side are below these readings then you may need to add refrigerant. You also want the engine to be turned off. Condenser – This changes the refrigerant’s phase and expels the heat out of the car.. Evaporator – This transfers heat to refrigerant from air blown across it, cooling the car. Once your car air conditioning decides to quit working, you end up in panic mode, especially in the summer. Checking a Car’s AC Compressor 1. An AC clutch compressor is a type of compressor that derives its power from the car engine’s flywheel. Step 2: Place the wheel chocks around the driver side rear tire. Disconnect the gauge set from the low side port. There are seals on the part that leak with normal wear and tear. The clutch is engaging but the air not cold. This can be purchased over the counter at most auto parts stores. As you make your way around the A/C system, you will want to test the condenser. If a small leak is present, you may be able to repair it with a Stop Leak product. More up to date systems are computer controlled and use numerous other inputs including vehicle interior and exterior temperature to determine whether or not to turn the compressor on. © The clutch may not engage for several reasons, the most common being low refrigerant in the system, but it may also be an electrical issue. Check for power AND ground to the compressor. First, start with a visual inspection. To check the clutch, first, turn on the A/C (when the car is blowing warm air) and note whether the clutch engages. The second cause is that there is a blockage caused by metallic debris. If there was not pressure found during your test then the system is empty and there is a leak. Edmundas was extremely professional and went above and beyond expected -- espcially in providing all data and current state of my vehicle. A more obvious sign of condenser failure will be a noticeable leak. If you have a license and certification you can still purchase this, though most people opt to retrofit this system to the newer R-134A refrigerant. Step 5: Turn on the AC. Thank you brother . Please see our, Jeep Grand Cherokee - Car AC Repair - Waddell, Arizona. Checking your pressures is the next logical place to start. If testing reveals an apparently good condenser, then you can look elsewhere for a problem without having to replace the part. Step 5: Observe. Observe the gauge on the kit and begin adding the refrigerant whether it be with a button or a trigger on the kit. Get your tools gathered and start the hunt. Turn on the engine and the air conditioning. Since your condenser is mounted directly to the frame of your car, over time, vibrations can cause an AC condenser leak, but most of the time, these leaks are due to an impact while driving or parking. Apparent, you want to purchase a leak didn’t sell me something I didn’t need quick... 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