Common auto air conditioning problems and solutions
Here are some common air conditioning problems and ways to take care of them.
- No cold air from A/C: this issue is usually caused by a refrigerant leak. All your air conditioning components rely on the refrigerant to cool your vehicle. If there is not enough refrigerant, the other air conditioning components will not work. A leak will typically occur when any type of connection, hose, compressor, condenser or evaporator is ruptured. Refrigerant leaks don't seem to be as obvious as oil leaks. Due to the nature of refrigerant, it will evaporate when it is exposed to the environment. An L&D Auto Specialists mechanic will have to add a fluorescent leak tracer dye and refrigerant to the system in order to resolve this problem. Once it is added to the system, the technician will run the air conditioner and using a blacklight, he can identify the leak that needs to be repaired, and complete the repair by evacuating and recharging the system to send cold air again.
- No air coming from the vents: this issue isn't as clear cut. L&D Auto Specialists technicians must eliminate the possibilities by testing several components first. Technicians may begin checking for:
- If the ventilation fuse blows, no power will be supplied to the fan, so no air can be blown through the vents. A bad relay may also also be to blame since the relay regulates the larger current needed for ventilation by utilizing the small electrical current.
- Damage to the blower motor or blower resistor – A blower motor pushes air through the vents in your car, just like a standard household fan. Motors that have failed, either because of wear or age, may prevent air from circulating through the vents. The blower resistor also works with the blower motor to control the amount of air flowing through the vent (low, medium or high) according to your preference.
- Blocked air intake – There are two ways air gets into your vehicle — one through vents underneath the windshield, and the other through air recirculated from inside the cabin. In the event that either your vents are blocked by a clogged filter or other debris, you may not receive enough air from your vents.
- Damaged belts and hoses – There are many hoses and belts in place in the auto air conditioning system. Anything that causes a leak, detachment, or blockage will block the airflow from the vents. In order to repair this issue, first replace the fuse or relay. If the issue persists, please visit L&D Auto Specialists to test the other components related to the ventilation system. Replacements or repairs may be necessary.
- Air is cool but does not get cold: Most often, this issue is caused by low refrigerant. When not enough refrigerant is present in the system, the pressure is reduced, preventing the compressor from being activated. If there is sufficient refrigerant in the system, it may also be caused by:
- Blocked or failed condenser – By removing heat from the refrigerant, the condenser turns the refrigerant back into a liquid state, converting it from its gaseous state to a liquid state. Whenever the condenser is blocked or damaged, the air coming from the vents will not be cold.
- Failed clutch switch – The air compressor will not work if this component is not functional, preventing it from condensing the liquid refrigerant into gas.
- AC smells like mildew: if your air conditioner emits noxious mildew odor when turned on, this is usually a result of the expansion of bacteria in the system. Vehicles that seldom use A/C, are older, or that use the maximum setting frequently (due to extra moisture in the unit) are more likely to exhibit this phenomenon. A variety of microorganisms may develop behind the dashboard of the evaporator. It produces a foul odor coming out of the vents. This issue can be resolved by replacing your air filter. Getting rid of the stench with a new filter may not be enough, so a technician will need to add an anti-bacterial solution to the evaporator, killing mold and other contaminants.
- Car AC makes noise when turned on: it's usually a warning sign if your car's making a noise that wasn't there before. When used, air conditioners are relatively quiet. If you hear the air conditioning rattling, banging, or making other unusual sounds, It could be as simple as leaves or other road debris blocking the unit. But, it could also be a component failing. Symptoms of a worn out bearing include a grinding or squealing noise. It is possible that a rattling sound is a sign of a failed compressor clutch. If you keep running the A/C, things may only get worse. Take your vehicle to a trusted L&D Auto Specialists technician for inspection to determine the cause.
- Water on the floorboards: the evaporator coil, located beneath the dashboard of your car, collects bacteria. A slimy film is created on the A/C fins when bacteria mix with the condensation from the coils, creating a moldy smell. Over time, the film can clog drain lines. To remove excess moisture, a drainage line goes from the evaporator heater box, through the floor, and to the undercarriage. When the heater box is plugged, excess water drips out and onto the car's floor, typically on the passenger side. Get your vehicle to L&D Auto Specialists as soon as you find the floor of your vehicle is damp. To repair a clogged drain line, a mechanic needs to determine what caused it to become clogged and replace the hose as necessary.
- Air conditioning goes from cold to hot: you know there's an issue if the air temperature suddenly goes from comfortable cool to unbearable hot while you're driving. There might be a malfunction in the expansion valve that delivers the correct amount of refrigerant to the evaporator. The refrigerant cannot reach the evaporator if the expansion valve is blocked, and if moisture is present, the valve begins to freeze. To properly verify the system's pressure, a mechanic will need to examine the system's components for blockages or malfunctions.
Auto air conditioning services in Olathe, KS that L&D Auto Specialists offers:
We offer the following air conditioning services. Feel free to drop by our shop if you have any questions
- System diagnosis – expert knowledge and state-of-the-art equipment allow L&D Auto Specialists to assess your vehicle's AC system and determine what repairs are necessary to help resolve your system's problems effectively.
- Condenser/evaporator replacement or cleaning – in order to keep your AC unit's effectiveness and performance from declining, you must provide maintenance to your air conditioning unit. You can rely on us to take care of all of your system's maintenance needs, including cleaning the condenser and evaporator or replacing them when necessary.
- Refrigerant replacement – generally, the refrigerant in air conditioning systems can last a long time, keeping your vehicle cool and comfortable. As old refrigerant ages, its effectiveness can slowly slip away. During the service, we will refill your AC system with new refrigerant and analyze the system for leaks and explain any possible repairs that may be necessary.
- Blower motor replacement – in hot weather, the AC system circulates cold air to keep the interior of your car cool. Nevertheless, wear and tear eventually damage the motor, ultimately leading to its failure. Our technicians will replace your old or damaged AC motor to ensure your AC system has a functional AC system once again.
Get in touch with L&D Auto Specialists today if you need auto air conditioning repair in Olathe, KS
For the past decade, L&D Auto Specialists has provided top quality repair services and exceptional service in the local community and around the area. We promise honest and upfront pricing for all our work, and we back it up with the best warranty in the business. Our ASE certified technicians can quickly diagnose and effectively fix problems with your car's air conditioning system. We have the necessary equipment, expertise, and high-quality parts to restore your car's air conditioning to new conditions. Services are usually available the same day. Schedule your FREE AC Check, air duct inspection, or AC service today, and let's make sure you are prepared for the summer heat.
Vehicles serviced
Because of our strong partnerships with local parts suppliers, we can deliver top-quality parts for any make or model very fast. In many cases, we can complete auto and body repairs the same day! All of our technicians/mechanics are experienced on both domestic and imported vehicles, including:
Foreign cars:
Import european cars:
- BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Fiat, VolksWagen (VW), Volvo, Mini Cooper, Saab, SmartCar, Porsche, Masterati, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Range Rover, Lotus
Japanese and asian cars:
- Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti, Mazda, Hyundai, Suzuki, Subaru, and Kia.
Domestic cars:
- Ford: Lincoln, Mercury, Continental.
- General Motors: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn, Hummer.
- Chrysler: Jeep, Dodge, Plymouth, and Ram Trucks.
About Olathe KS
Olathe is the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in the Kansas City metropolitan area and Kansas, with a 2010 population of 125,872. By 2019, the Census Bureau estimated Olathe's population had grown to 140,545.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 60.42 square miles (156.49 km2) of which 59.66 square miles (154.52 km2) are land and 0.76 square miles (1.97 km2) is covered by water. Olathe has two public lakes: Lake Olathe with 172 acres (0.70 km2) of water surface and Cedar Lake with 45 acres (0.18 km2).
