Imagine being stuck without air conditioning on a hot summer day in Jonesville, NC. Especially in a hot car where temperature can quickly continue to rise. July is the hottest month for Jonesville, with an average high temperature of 87 degrees. Even though it is ranked cooler than most places in North Carolina, broken AC causes discomfort and a safety issue, too. One of the dangerous places for someone to be during a heatwave is inside their car without air conditioning. So, if your vehicle’s AC is not operating, you should take the steps to immediately get the problem fixed. Here is a list of five reasons why your car’s air conditioner may not be working.

5 Reasons Why Your Car’s Air Conditioner Isn’t Working

1. Leaking Refrigerant

A refrigerant leak can occur at any moment in the air conditioning process, and sometimes it’s difficult to find the exact location of the leak. The most common places where leaks are found are at the hose connections. Sometimes it’s possible to see an oily substance accumulating around these connections. Have a technician use sealant to close the leak.

2. Condenser Is Blocked

If nothing is blocking the condenser, then it may be broken. A broken condenser is caused by a puncture from road debris going through the grill of your car and damaging the part. 

3. Electrical Issues

This is perhaps the most difficult problem to find when it comes to the AC unit not working. Inspect any visual wiring to check if any are broken or frayed. If you cannot find any signs of electrical issues, seek out a technician to further inspect your vehicle. 

4. Faulty Cooling Fans

Sometimes fans don’t function properly, and your condenser may not receive cooling. Over time, this can cause your car to start blowing out only hot air. The best way to check if your cooling fan is working or broken is to visually inspect the component. 

5. Compressor Has Gone Bad

The compressor’s job is to keep your AC moving at all times. Without the compressor, the refrigerant can’t circulate through the system, and you will never get any cold air. The most common reason why your compressor is broken is simply that it has not been used for a long period. Lack of usage can shock the system when it finally is used again. We recommend running your AC system on full blast for 10 minutes every month, regardless of the outside temperature. This will keep the compressor in good shape and extend its overall life span. 

Just because your car’s air conditioner stopped working doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed. Most places are relatively inexpensive for AC repair that can be done in just a matter of minutes. If you are having trouble trying to fix these issues yourself, contact Jody’s Automotive to discuss how we can help.