Air conditioning does not work: how to avoid global warming in your car

Summer trips by car with the left elbow sticking out the window and the rest of the windows open for total ventilation of the cabin are a thing of the past. Most drivers today have air-conditioning systems in their cars that make driving in the heat comfortable. However, automobile air conditioning systems are complex and vulnerable devices in difficult road conditions. Is it possible to quickly establish the malfunctions that have arisen in the air conditioner and is it worth trying to fix them yourself?

The air conditioner in the car does not work - causes and their elimination

An air conditioner that does not turn on or turns on, but does not cool the passenger compartment, leads to an equally sad result, although the reasons for this can vary significantly. The most common malfunctions in the car air conditioning system are caused by:

• refrigerant deficiency;
• air conditioner pollution;
• main obstruction;
• compressor problem;
• failure of the capacitor;
• breakdown of the evaporator;
• receiver failure;
• failure of the thermostatic valve;
• fan problems;
• failure of the pressure sensor;
• failures in the operation of the electrical system.
  

  This is how the air conditioning system works in a car.

Not enough refrigerant

If there is a lack of refrigerant in the form of freon in the system, it is automatically blocked. In this case, it is useless to try to turn on the air conditioner using the control unit. No less problematic are attempts to independently compensate for the shortage of freon in the system. Experts say that it is technologically competently impossible to carry out this operation in a garage. Especially if there is a refrigerant leak in the system, which is impossible to detect on your own. Attempts by some motorists to fill the system with R134 freon on their own using a spray can often end in a water hammer that disables the air conditioner. Professionals at the service station fill the air conditioning system with freon using a special installation and charge for the service in the range of 700–1200 rubles.

Experts do not recommend filling the climate system with freon on their own, although some motorists do this with varying degrees of success.

Air conditioner pollution

This problem is the most common cause of failure of the auto-coding system. Accumulating dirt and moisture provoke corrosion on the line pipes and the condenser, which ultimately leads to depressurization of the cooling circuit. As a preventive measure for this phenomenon, you should wash your car more often with a car wash, or do not forget about the engine compartment when washing your car. Symptoms of excessive air conditioner pollution are:

• system failure to turn on;
• spontaneous shutdown while idle in a traffic jam;
• shutdown when driving at low speed.

This phenomenon is explained by overheating of the device, which leads to an increase in pressure in the circuit and subsequent automatic shutdown of the system. When driving at high speed, intensive air blowing of the components of the air conditioning system allows them to cool down and the air conditioner turns on again. This situation is a clear signal for a thorough car wash.

In this state, the air conditioning system is unlikely to create comfortable conditions in the cabin.

Circuit obstruction

This circumstance is a continuation of the above and is one of the most common reasons for the failure of the air conditioning system. Dirt accumulating during the operation of a car in the bends of the highway and in areas with low pressure leads to the formation of traffic jams that prevent the circulation of the refrigerant and turn the air conditioner into a useless device. In addition, the performance of the compressor is jeopardized, which begins to experience a lack of lubricant supplied with freon. And from here it’s not far from the jamming of the compressor - a very expensive breakdown. To eliminate the obstruction of the circuit, you will have to disassemble part of the air conditioner and flush the line under pressure.

Another problem that can occur in the functioning of the circuit is often its depressurization. Most often, it leads to the deformation of seals and gaskets under the influence of climatic and external factors. The same can happen with the main hoses. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to replace the parts of the main circuit that have become unusable, which is advisable to do in a service station. And as a preventive measure, you should also turn on the air conditioner at least 2 times a month in winter and let it work for 10 minutes. But at the same time, it must be remembered that in winter the air conditioner can only be turned on when the cabin is warm.

Compressor breakdown

Fortunately, this problem rarely occurs, since its solution, as already mentioned, is costly. And it leads to either wear of the unit from long-term operation, or a lack of lubrication. The last factor is the main one and is a consequence of the reasons discussed above. In addition, a stuck compressor can cause the air conditioner to run for an excessively long time without turning it on. In most cases, a jammed compressor requires its replacement, which can only be done with the help of specialists.

It is much easier to solve the problem associated with the failure of the compressor to work due to the condition of the drive belt. If it is weakened or completely torn, then it must be tightened or replaced with a new one. Both operations are quite within the power of any motorist. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to regularly inspect the drive belt. Even if it is normally tensioned, minor damage to it should already serve as a signal for its replacement.

This is what the most important element of the air conditioning system looks like

Capacitor failure

The condenser of the air conditioning system, located in front of the car radiator, is exposed to oncoming air during movement, which carries with it moisture, dirt, dust, debris, and insects. All this clogs the condenser cells and significantly slows down heat exchange processes, as a result of which the device overheats. This immediately affects while the car is in traffic jams or when driving at low speed, as already mentioned above.

This element of the car's climate system stands in front of the radiator and takes on all the rubbish brought by oncoming air.

To fix the problem, blow out the condenser with compressed air or flush it with high pressure water. In this case, it is recommended to remove the radiator grille on the car, unscrew the mounting bolts on the condenser and gain access to its reverse side. The applied insect remover can thoroughly clean the condenser within half an hour, and gasoline can remove oil deposits and other contaminants from it.

If deformed honeycombs are found on the condenser radiator, then it is best to straighten them with wooden objects such as a toothpick.

Evaporator failure

Often, turning on the air conditioner is accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant odors in the cabin. Their source is the evaporator, located under the dashboard and representing a radiator. During operation, it is able to clog with dust and accumulate moisture, which creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms, which emit unpleasant odors.

You can correct the situation yourself by using a special tool sprayed with an aerosol can. However, it is more expedient to turn to professionals who have at their disposal equipment for biological and ultrasonic cleaning not only of the evaporator radiator, but also of all adjacent air ducts. This is all the more desirable, since a clogged evaporator, in addition to unwanted odors, can become a source of infectious diseases.

It is from this device that an unpleasant smell can come from inside the car.

Filter drier failure

If the car air conditioning system sins with frequent spontaneous shutdowns, and the system hoses are covered with frost, then this indicates a malfunction of the receiver, also called the filter drier. Its task is to remove liquid from the system and filter the refrigerant. The filter releases freon from waste products that come from the compressor.

It is not difficult to get to this device, which cannot be said about self-detection of a leak.

Often, the culprit for the depressurization of the receiver, due to which it ceases to perform its functions, is freon itself, for example, grades R12 and 134a. Containing fluorine and chlorine, the refrigerant, when combined with water, forms acids that corrode the elements of the air conditioner. Therefore, air conditioner manufacturers recommend that consumers change the filter drier at least once every 1 years.

The depressurization of the receiver and the leakage of freon from it is accompanied by the formation of a white suspension on the surface of the device. Having noticed this, it is necessary to immediately turn to specialists who will fill the system with dye gas and quickly detect the leak using ultraviolet light. In the conditions of an amateur garage, it is problematic to do this on your own.

Expansion valve malfunction

This element of the air conditioner is designed to optimize the temperature regime and pair it with the pressure in the system, which is necessary for the normal state of the refrigerant. If the expansion valve fails, there will be interruptions in the supply of cold air. Most often, freezing of the main hoses is observed.

The main reason for the failure of this part of the air conditioner is mechanical damage or improper adjustment. In the latter case, it is necessary to correct the adjustment, and mechanical damage requires the replacement of the device. There are also cases when contamination of the system provokes the expansion valve to jam, which also requires its replacement.

Most often, this faulty device must be replaced.

Fan failure

This element of the automotive air conditioning system is not present in all air conditioners, and where it is, it rarely fails. However, if this happens, it is felt through less effective cooling of the passenger compartment, or even by turning off the device. The functions of the fan are to additionally cool the freon and to stimulate the flow of cold air into the cabin. If the fan fails, the refrigerant overheats, raising the pressure in the system, which automatically blocks its operation. The fan may fail due to:

• break in the power supply circuit;
• breakdown of the electric motor;
• bearing wear;
• malfunctions of pressure sensors;
• mechanical defects in the blades.

Usually, motorists easily detect unreliable contacts in the electrical network and eliminate the malfunction. As for the internal defects of the fan, here most often you have to turn to specialists or completely replace the unit.

Its breakdown is immediately noticeable during the operation of the air conditioner.

Pressure sensor failure

This element of the car interior cooling system is designed to turn off the air conditioner when the pressure in the system rises excessively, since pressure above the standard one can lead to physical destruction of the system. The pressure sensor is also responsible for the timely switching on or off of the fan. Most often, the pressure sensor fails due to excessive contamination, mechanical damage, or broken contacts in the connectors. With the help of computer diagnostics at the service station, a failure in the operation of this device is detected very quickly. In garage conditions, this is problematic, but after making the correct diagnosis, it is not difficult to replace a malfunctioning sensor on your own. This will require a viewing hole and an open-end wrench on "14". The part replacement process is as follows:

1. It is necessary to turn off the engine, since the replacement is carried out only with the ignition off.
2. Then you need to slightly move the plastic bumper protection and gain access to the pressure sensor located on the right.
3. To dismantle it, release the latch on the plug and disconnect the connected wires.
4. Now it is necessary to unscrew the sensor with a wrench, without fear of freon leakage, since the system has a special safety valve.
5. After that, it remains only to screw a new device into this place and perform the previous steps in reverse order.
   

   This small detail is endowed with the ability to automatically turn off the entire climate system.

Other possible reasons why the air conditioner does not work

If in most cars certain problem areas in the electrical part are necessarily found over time, then, according to experts, the percentage of poor-quality soldering and weak contacts in the connectors in the electrical circuits of air conditioning units is even higher.

Often, the on-board electronics of the car are to blame for the failure of the air conditioner to turn on. For example, when the button for turning on the air conditioning system is pressed, the signal from it goes to the electronic control unit (ECU) of the car. If there are any problems in the electrical circuit of the system or in the button itself, the computer may not respond to the signal from the air conditioner button, and the system simply will not work. Therefore, in such a case and as a preventive measure, it is useful to “ring” the electrical circuit of the air conditioning system and the power button itself using a multimeter.

Quite often, the electromagnetic clutch of the compressor fails. At the service station, it is usually replaced entirely. This part is expensive, but it is not advisable to repair it in parts and independently, as practice shows. Firstly, its individual parts in total will cost about the same as a new clutch, and, secondly, do-it-yourself repairs are difficult and take a lot of time and nervous energy.

This expensive part often has to be replaced entirely.

Do-it-yourself repairs worth it?

An example with an electronic compressor clutch shows that self-repair of failed elements of an auto air conditioning system is far from always justified. Although with the proper level of qualification of a motorist, it is acceptable and often practiced. The ratio of the cost of individual elements of the car's air conditioning system (depending on its class and brand) and the price of repairs at the service station can be judged by the following figures:

• the electronic clutch of the compressor costs in the range of 1500–6000 rubles;
• the compressor itself - 12000–23000 rubles;
• evaporator - 1500–7000 rubles;
• expansion valve - 2000–3000 rubles;
• air conditioner radiator - 3500–9000 rubles;
• cabin filter - 200–800 rubles;
• filling the system with freon, compressor oil - 700-1200 rubles.

The cost of repair depends on its complexity, the brand of the car, the type of its air conditioner and the reputation level of the service station. If we proceed from average indicators, then a complete compressor repair, for example, costs between 2000–2500 rubles, and flushing a single-circuit air conditioning system (+ flushing fluid) can result in 10000 rubles. Replacing the compressor pulley, which is easy to do on your own, costs (excluding the cost of the belt itself) at least 500 rubles. If we take the price for a complex repair of an air conditioner on a premium car with the replacement of refrigerant, oil and compressor as a conditional ceiling, then the amount can reach 40000 rubles.

How to prevent air conditioner failure

A properly functioning air conditioner on a new car still requires inspection every 2-3 years. This requirement is explained by the fact that even a perfectly sealed system annually inevitably loses up to 15% of the freon circulating in it. A car that has reached the age of 6 is already subject to an annual inspection of its climate system, since gaskets in the joints wear out during operation, and small cracks appear on the main pipes. In addition, as a preventive measure, experts recommend:

1. Install an additional mesh on the bumper to protect the air conditioner radiator from debris and small stones. This is especially true for cars with large-mesh radiator grilles.
2. Regularly turn on the air conditioner and during long downtime of the car, and even in winter. 10-minute operation of the device a couple of times a month will help to avoid drying out of the main elements.
3. Turn off the climate device shortly before the end of the trip with the stove running, which allows warm air to dry the air ducts, leaving no chance for microorganisms to multiply in them.

Video: how to quickly check the performance of an air conditioner yourself

Do-it-yourself air conditioner diagnostics

A failure in the operation of the car's climate system can be caused by both deep-seated problems in the device associated with the incorrect functioning of its individual elements, and with an elementary refrigerant deficiency. But in any case, preventive actions, expressed primarily in caring for the cleanliness of your car, pay off many times over in the light of possible subsequent repair costs.