Every Summer a ritual is performed by millions of people across the country. They sit down in their hot car that's been cooking in the sun and remember: their A/C doesn't work! This excruciating realization can deflate even the sunniest of summer fun-days. But this year, you can actually do something about it! Here are the 5 most common reasons why your vehicle's A/C System isn't working.
5. Leak
Leaks are the most common reason for a great many potential problems with your vehicle- including your A/C system. If, at any point, one of your hoses had been punctured or any of the connectors got knocked loose, you could be losing refrigerant- thus affecting your cooling system. Luckily, refrigerant leaks can be relatively easy to identify. All you have to do is fill a spray-bottle with very-soapy water and spray it over the A/C lines. Wherever you see bubbles start to gather, there is a leak. Once the leak has been identified, it's recommended that you bring your vehicle into a professional service center in order to properly address the issue. That's because any remaining refrigerant must be collected and disposed of properly.
4. Damaged or Blocked Condenser
Towards the front of your Chevy (usually), you'll see what looks like a smaller radiator positioned between your grill and your engine's radiator- this is the air condenser for your Air Conditioning system. When refrigerant is pumped through the system, it's heated into a gaseous state; the condenser works by taking in that heated gas and using the air flowing through the front of your vehicle and cooling it back into a condensed, liquid state.
Sometimes, large amounts of debris get lodged in the front of the condenser and block the air from actually running through the condenser- preventing the refrigerant from cooling down. If debris can be seen blocking air-flow, it should be carefully removed while the vehicle is turned off. Once removed, test the AC to determine if the blockage was the problem.
Alternatively, if no blockage is found, your condenser may have a puncture somewhere or be otherwise damaged. If this is found to be the case, most often the condenser will need to be replaced by a professional like those at Capitol Chevy.3. Broken Cooling Fan
Working alongside your condenser is the cooling fan which helps propel the air that cools the gaseous refrigerant back to a liquid in the condenser. Diagnosing a broken cooling fan can be done simply by inspecting the condition of the fan and its blades. If there is any debris preventing the fan from spinning, it should be removed when everything is turned off. If the fan is physically damaged in any way (e.g. cracked frame, broken blade) it should be replaced. If no physical damage is found, the problem may be found somewhere dreaded by mechanics everywhere: the electrical system. Of course, the technicians in our GM authorized service center know and love automotive electrical systems.
2. Electrical Problems
Diagnosing electrical and wiring issues can be very difficult and even hazardous. That's why anything more than checking for blown fuses should be handled by a trained professional.
It is possible that a blown fuse is responsible for a failure in your vehicle's A/C system. Consult the owner's manual for your vehicle to find your fuse box and identify related fuses. If any fuses associated with your A/C are blown, replace them with a matching new fuse.
If you don't find any blown fuses, your wiring may need to be thoroughly inspected and either repaired or replaced by one of our certified technicians to ensure you stay safe and your vehicle continues to function properly.
1. Faulty Air Compressor
The heart of your entire A/C system is the air compressor. This is what keeps the entire system pressurized and ensures that the refrigerant is flowing through your vehicle. These components have lots of moving parts that can wear down over time, and many of those parts can prevent the compressor from working at all- thus preventing the refrigerant from flowing through your car's AC system. Most commonly, the clutch that turns the compressor on-or-off will fail. Sometimes AC compressors can be repaired, but most often it's more effective and cost-efficient to just replace the entire compressor.
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2855 Maple Ave Ne
2855 Maple Ave Ne
Salem, OR 97301
- Contact: (503) 877-2943
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- Sunday Closed