Get Your Auto Air Conditioning Fixed at Broward

Why Does My Auto Air Conditioning Need Repair?

Having problems with your auto air conditioning? Broward can help get your A/C blowing cold air again. Read on to find out about what issues may be causing your A/C unit to not function properly.

What is “Black Death?”

Anything with death in its name is likely to make the hair on your arms stand up like you’re the character in a bad horror movie. So, what is this black death and how can a driver avoid being subjected to this nightmare?

While Black Death is not the same as the Black Plague, it can be just as hazardous to a car’s air conditioning system. Black Death will silently destroy your A/C unit. It begins inside the compressor after the refrigerant breaks down, resulting in corrosive wear. But it doesn’t just stay in the compressor — these sharp, grimy metal particles formed during compressor breakdown can travel and wreak havoc on your entire A/C system. Before you know it (and likely on the hottest day of the year as luck would have it), all of your cold air will be gone. Actually, all of your airflow will disappear for that matter. And that is how your air conditioner can experience its demise.

This all can be avoided, of course. The best protection from Black Death is to have your auto air conditioning checked at Broward Automotive. An A/C performance check can save your A/C’s life. Don’t wait to schedule your system check today.

Why Does My A/C Have Weak Airflow?

As soon as you notice weak airflow, have your auto air conditioning checked out before other fatal A/C system damage can occur. 

Possible causes of weak airflow include:

• Mold or mildew accumulated. Sometimes mold accumulates in the evaporator core from residual moisture that occurs during the cooling process. When this happens, the air has trouble reaching your air vents, leading to poor airflow.
• A hose has come loose. The blower hose that supplies air to the blower unit can sometimes become loose.
• The ventilation fan is fried. If your fan has become damaged, the fan won’t be able to blow air.  
• There’s a problem with seals. Core case seals, blower house seals, or evaporator core case seals can open up and diminish airflow. A/C ventilation systems are extremely sensitive, so it’s important that they remain sealed. Once they open, the whole system can become compromised and not work as it should.

Why is No Air Coming Out of My Vents?

Several culprits could be to blame for this. Your technician will need to eliminate the possible causes by checking several components. 

Some reasons for this problem could be: 

• A blown fuse or bad relay – When the ventilation fuse blows, the motor blower will have no power. With no power, air will be unable to blow through the vents. A bad relay can also be the cause since the relay takes the small electrical current and uses it to regulate the larger current needed for ventilation.  
• Damage to the blower motor or blower resistor – The blower motor is needed to push air through the vents of your car. Blower motors can malfunction due to general wear-and-tear or age. A damaged blower motor will not allow air to pass through the vents. Similarly, the blower resistor works with the blower motor to control how much air is produced to flow through the vents (low, medium, or high) based on what you prefer. 
• Blocked air intake – Air enters your vehicle through two different sections. Air can enter your vehicle through vents on the lower half of the windshield, and air can also recirculate from inside the cabin. If the air intake sections are blocked due to a clogged filter or other debris, your vents will blow very little air or none at all. 
• Damaged belts and hoses – Your auto air conditioning system is equipped with many hoses and belts, which control the whole system. Any sort of leak, detachment, or blockages stop proper airflow.

If you have issues with the airflow coming out of your vents, it’s best to visit an expert A/C technician to test all of the components in the ventilation system. Repairs may need to be made to your A/C unit or it might need to be replaced.

Why Isn’t My A/C as Cold as it Used to Be?

An A/C system can lose its cooling power due to several reasons: 

• A Freon leak caused by a failed seal, hose, component, or o-ring
• A clogged refrigerant charging hose or expansion tube
• Failed compressor or compressor clutch
• Failed blower motor and/or a failed blower motor resistor
• Damaged or failed condenser or evaporator
• Vacuum leaks
• Failed switch, fuse, relay, control module, blend door, or solenoid

Leaks can be devastating to your A/C system. Fortunately, if you or your technician discover the leak early, your repair will not be as costly. If a leak has been affecting your cold airflow for a significant amount of time, moisture likely has already entered your air conditioning system and damage to other vital parts may have already occurred. The best way to keep your cool is to schedule an A/C performance check.

An automotive technician may need to add fluorescent leak tracer dye and refrigerant to the system. Once this tracer dye is added, your technician will run your air conditioning. By using a blacklight, it will be easy to identify the leak. Once the leak is found, your technician can begin repairs.

Why Does My A/C Start Out Cool But Gets Warm Quickly?

Like many car issues, there’s not one simple answer. 

Some possible causes include: 

• A clogged expansion valve – When your expansion valve is blocked, the refrigerant can’t flow into the evaporator. A clogged valve can cause big problems because your refrigerant may start to freeze the valve completely if there’s too much moisture.
• Faulty compressor clutch – Your clutch needs to engage with your compressor. If it doesn’t, then your compressor can’t maintain the right pressure and you will only get hot air.
• A blown fuse – If the fuse going to your A/C system shorts out, there will be no power to certain systems.
• Leaks – Leaks occur as a result of damage or moisture. When moisture and refrigerant mix together, corrosive acids will eat away at seals and components, causing a leak.

Talk to an auto air conditioning technician at Broward about testing the major components to look for blockages, damage, or failure. They can repair and replace them as necessary, having your vehicle blowing cold air again. 

Why Do My A/C Vents Smell Like a Sweaty Gym Locker?

Aside from your gym bag being in the backseat, other possible causes of nasty “gym locker” odors are:

• Old or dirty air cabin filter – If the filter is dirty, the air going through it will not be clean either. Therefore, you get a smell that is anything but fresh.
• Moldy evaporator case – When water sits in the evaporator case, and the case’s drain is blocked, mold can start to accumulate. Mold can cause a terrible smell similar to sweaty gym socks.

Air filters can collect dirt, water, dust, and other debris, which can cause a nasty odor after some time. This is a simple fix – just replace your air filter. If replacing the filter does not eliminate the stench in your vehicle, a technician will need to add an anti-bacterial solution into the evaporator area. This will kill all the mold and other contaminants from the system, making your air clean and fresh.

Why Does My A/C Make a Loud Noise When I Turn It On?

Anytime your car makes a funky noise that you haven’t heard before, it’s a sign of trouble. Air conditioning systems are relatively quiet, so if you hear rattling, banging, or other unusual sounds, it’s normal to be concerned. It could be a simple solution; perhaps leaves or other debris have fallen into the unit. It could also be as serious as a major component failure. If a bearing is worn out, the air conditioning will often make a grinding or squealing sound. If you hear a rattling sound, it could indicate the compressor’s clutch has failed. 

Continuing to use your A/C will likely make your problem worse. Take your vehicle to Broward Automotive where a trusted technician can do a thorough inspection. Broward will be able to determine if a major component has failed or if it’s an easy fix.

Why Is There Water on My Floorboards?

Do you have water built up on the floor in your car and not sure why? Sometimes this is caused by bacteria that can accumulate on the evaporator coil in the A/C heater box located under your dashboard. This nasty bacteria then mixes with the condensation from the coils, creating a slimy film on the A/C fins. This can also produce a moldy/sweaty gym socks smell. The slimy film eventually builds up, which can clog the drain line (a rubber hose that goes from the evaporator heater box through the floor and to the undercarriage). Once this becomes clogged, water from condensation fills up the heater box, and drips onto the floor of your vehicle, usually on the passenger side.

If you notice the floor of your vehicle is wet, you should make an appointment for immediate repair. A technician will determine what has caused the drain line to become clogged and repair or replace the hose.

What Causes an A/C System Leak?

The simple answer is age and moisture. Rubber seals and hoses can lose their elasticity over time, allowing Freon to escape and moisture to enter your vehicle’s A/C system. Moisture is a death sentence for your A/C system because it can mix with your refrigerant and create a corrosive acid that can destroy your whole air conditioning system.

If moisture is present, it could ruin your accumulator, receiver, or drier. Since these devices are responsible for removing moisture from the A/C system, they will eventually stop functioning.

To make sure your system is functioning properly, have your auto air conditioning checked at Broward Auto Diagnostics and Repair.