Handling Potential Problems for Car Air Conditioners

When you know that the summer months are right around the corner, you will want to make sure that the air conditioning in your car is working properly. Depending on where you live, summer can be quite hot. Having your air conditioning working well in your car can make for a more comfortable commuting experience. If your car is having some issues with the air conditioning not working properly, you may be wondering how you can go about fixing it yourself. Take a look at some of the common answers to do it yourself (DIY) car air conditioner repair questions below. The information will be able to give you a better idea of how to go about fixing your air conditioner so that you can be comfortable during your summer driving.

What Should You do if Your Air Conditioner Is Blowing Out Just a Little Cool Air?

If your air conditioner is blowing out only a little bit of cool air, you will be able to fix it by buying a Freon refill kit from a local auto store. Freon is the name for the coolant that works to make your air conditioner blow cold air. With the Freon refill kit, you will be able to top off the amounts of Freon in your car. Over time, the Freon levels in your air conditioner will lower. It is normal to have to refill the Freon after some time has passed. Be sure not to overfill your car with the Freon though. Putting too much Freon in will actually cause the air conditioner to perform worse.

What if Your Freon is Leaking Out?

If your Freon is leaking out, it is possible to determine where the source of the leak is. You can buy a fluorescent dye from your local auto parts store that can be added into your car’s system to determine where the leak is at. If you have a small leak, then you can fix it by buying an air conditioner leak sealer product from an auto parts store. This will seal up the leak, but it won’t work well if the leak is too large. If you have too large a leak then you will want to take it into a certified mechanic to get the repairs done.

What Does It Mean When Your Compressor Isn’t Turning?

If your compressor isn’t turning, then the cold air from your air conditioner won’t be getting pumped out properly. This can be due to a few different reasons depending on what is going wrong with your air conditioner. If the air conditioning and blower are both on, yet your compressor still isn’t turning, it means that the compressor’s clutch isn’t engaging. It could be something simple like a bad fuse that is causing this problem. Other possible causes include low amounts of Freon, a broken air conditioning switch, or a wiring issue. You’ll want to try to determine which of these issues is causing your compressor to not function properly.

Could a Broken Fan Belt be the Issue?

A broken fan belt can cause your car’s air conditioner to malfunction. You can replace your fan belt yourself by purchasing the belt at an auto parts store. Removing the belt is usually relatively simple, but you may need to remove other parts under your hood to get to the belt depending on the make of your car. You’ll need to remove the belt using the tensioner. After the old belt is off you’ll be able to put the new belt on and the tensioner will tighten the belt into place.

You’ll be able to go about fixing your car’s air conditioner using the DIY air conditioner repair information above. The first thing to determine is which problem is creating the malfunction. It could be something as simple as your Freon level being too low. If you have a Freon leak it is possible to fix it yourself using a combination of fluorescent dye to find the location of the leak and an air conditioning leak sealer. This will only work if the leak is minor though. If your compressor is not working or your fan belt is broken, if you are mechanically inclined, you will be able to fix the problem yourself. Once you do, you’ll be able to enjoy a comfortable drive no matter how hot the summer months may get.