Summer has officially arrived in Central Florida, and with it comes the most dreaded car problem many people experience. Your car’s air conditioning is blowing warm, intermittently or no air flow is coming out. If you’ve spent 1 minute in a car experiencing any of these symptoms, you’ll know why this is the #1 repair issue we see here at Wilcox & Son Auto this time of year. Repairing an A/C system is definitely not a DIY job and we highly recommend taking your car to the pro’s if you have any of the following issues, however it is important for you to understand what may be causing your problem. Keep reading below for some common A/C problems and what may be causing them.
A/C not blowing cold, or as cold as it used to be
Most of us might expect to get in our cars and have the air blowing hot air for the first minute or so, until the system cycles through enough to cool down the car. What happens if it never cools down, or perhaps it it gets cool, but just not cold enough? This is not a fun problem to have, here’s what can cause your vehicle to blow warm air.
- A Freon leak caused by a failed o-ring, seal, hose or component
- A clogged expansion tube or refrigerant charging hose
- Failed compressor or compressor clutch
- Failed blower motor or blower motor resistor
- Damaged or failed condenser or evaporator
- Vacuum leaks
- Failed switch, fuse, relay, control module, blend door or solenoid
Bringing your vehicle in for repairs as soon as you notice this problem, can be the difference between a very minor repair or a very costly one, so schedule your appointment today and let us get you and your car back to a freezing wonderland in no time.
The A/C starts out cool then starts getting warm
This is one is never an easy answer and really requires an inspection of your a/c system, here are some of the issues that could be causing the intermittent operation of your A/C.
- A clogged expansion valve – The expansion valve distributes the proper amount of refrigerant to your evaporator. If the valve is blocked, the refrigerant can’t flow into the evaporator. With the valve clogged, the refrigerant will start to freeze up the valve, especially if moisture is present.
- Faulty compressor clutch – If the clutch is not engaging with your compressor, than your compressor can’t maintain the correct pressure. Hot air is the end result.
- A blown fuse- Fuses sometimes short out. If the fuse associated with your A/C system goes, the power to certain parts will stop.
- System Leaks – Leaks are the result of damage or the presence of moisture. When moisture and refrigerant mix, corrosive acids will eat away at seals and components, causing a leak.
Smelly, funky odor coming from A/C vents
Ewe…..No one wants this issue and yet you may find yourself with a car smelling like a gym locker. There are a couple issues that may be causing this smell.
- Dirty or old air cabin filter.
- Moldy evaporator case. A problem for many vehicles when water sits in the evaporator case because the case’s drain is blocked. Mold can and will accumulate.
This list is by no means the only issues that you can encounter with your A/C system, just simply some of the more common problems we run across here at our shop. One of the most important things I hope you take away is that getting your vehicle repaired as soon as you encounter an issue can save you a lot of grief, sweat and most importantly money! Don’t let a minor problem turn into a major problem by waiting. Our staff at Wilcox & Son Automotive is highly trained and experienced in A/C system repairs. If your sweating thru summer give us a call or visit us online to schedule your appointment today. Most system repairs are completed same day and as always come with our nationwide 24 month/24,000 mile warranty.
All summer long we are running our A/C System Evac & Recharge Special for $59.95, this includes a system check, Evac & Recharge (up to 1lb of Freon) and UV dye in your system to check for leaks. Simply ask for this special when you visit us, or purchase our Groupon prior to your visit.