When summer rolls around and cars bake in the sunlight, the worst thing that can happen is turning on your AC and realizing that it won’t blow cold air. While AC may not be a requirement for a car to drive, and your AC going out won’t necessarily mean your car will die on you, it can certainly make travel in the hot summer months a lot more tolerable. Not all reasons for an AC blowing warm air require costly car repairs from a mechanic shop, but many do. Check out these four common causes.
A Refrigerant Leak
Most often, if your car is blowing warm air, it’s caused by a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the liquid your car’s AC system relies on. It expands and contracts while removing heat and humidity to be dissipated.
A leak might be the result of an old hose or damaged evaporator. You can try buying a refrigerant recharge kit at a big box store and following the instructions. If the recharge works for a short period before the air blows warm again, take your car into a shop like Jack Stoldt Auto Services in Springfield, IL, to have the leak repaired. A mechanic will be able to identify where the refrigerant is leaking from and repair or replace the necessary parts to restore your car’s AC to its former glory.
Broken Compressor
The compressor pumps the refrigerant through the entire AC system. If it stops working or isn’t working correctly, the refrigerant can’t circulate, and the AC won’t work. This problem often appears after a long period of being unused, such as over the course of the winter months. If the problem is with the compressor, a mechanic shop will be able to help with repairs.
Faulty or Blocked Condenser
The refrigerant in your vehicle is kept cool by the condenser. When it stops working, warm air flows from the vents. This part is located at the front of the car and uses air flow through the grate to cool it. If the condenser gets clogged up, often by road debris, it can’t do its job properly. If you’ve recently gotten into a fender bender, that can also be the culprit, especially if the warm air problem began shortly after.
Electrical Issues
If everything in your AC system is functioning as normal, but the car continues to pump out hot air, it could be because of an electrical issue. Something as small as a blown fuse could stop the entire system from functioning. To identify electrical issues, contact your local mechanic shop, like Jack Stoldt Auto Services Center in Springfield, IL, for a visual inspection.
Contact Jack Stoldt Auto Services for AC Repair
If you can’t find the cause for your car’s AC issues and you don’t want to suffer through a hot summer, we are here to help. Whether you need car maintenance or vehicle repair services, we have you covered. We can also handle engine repair to keep your car running as it should be. Contact Jack Stoldt Auto Services in Springfield, IL, today at 217.522.9113 to bring sweet relief with a working AC.
