A faulty air conditioner is one of the more difficult issues to diagnose and repair.If your car's air conditioner isn't blowing cold air, you should look for signs of leaking or an A/C compressor that does not engage.If the A/C system requires substantial repairs, you might not have the equipment to do them at home.It is possible to replenish it using a kit you can purchase at a local auto parts store.
Step 1: Turn on the air conditioning when you start the vehicle.
Use the key to start the car.Take a look at how warm, cool, or cold the air is.There may be an issue with air flow if the air is warm to cool but not cold.Check to see if the cooling fans are on.There could be an electrical issue if they are not.The cabin air filter in your vehicle may need to be replaced.Replacing the cabin filter can help get rid of unpleasant smells in the car.
Step 2: If the A/C compressor is running, you should look to see it.
If the air conditioner compressor is malfunctioning, you need to make repairs.Look for the center of the pulley to turn along with the air conditioner in the engine bay.The air conditioner has a clutch that engages.The middle of the pulley will move when the clutch is engaged.The A/C compressor may need to be filled with refrigerant if the clutch does not engage.
Step 3: The wiring to the A/C compressor needs to be checked.
A wire leads to the electric clutch.Plug it into the middle of the wire.Run a length of wire from the compressor's wire to the positive terminal of the battery.The electric clutch works properly if you hear a loud clang.It will need to be replaced if not.It is possible to replace your A/C compressor with specialized tools.If the compressor or clutch needs to be replaced, bring your vehicle in for repairs.
Step 4: There are leaks in the air conditioning system.
You can buy leak detection kits to find leaks in your air conditioning system.These kits give a dye that will run through the lines and make them visible to the naked eye.Attach the leak detection can to the low side service port and spray it into the air conditioning system.You will need to take the vehicle to a repair shop if you see any leaks.If you don't see any leaks, the problem may be low refrigerant.
Step 5: Purchase the correctrigerant for your vehicle
The easiest way to determine the correct type of refrigerant for your vehicle is to check the year it was made.Vehicles built after 1995 use R134a.It is likely that your vehicle used R12 if it is older than that.You can't refill R12 on your own.If you own a vehicle that uses R12 you should schedule an appointment with an auto repair specialist to convert it.
Step 6: You can check the temperature with a thermometer.
You need to know the current temperature in your environment to read the gauge.The gauge reads differently at different times becauserigerant occupies a different amount of space within the can and air conditioning system.You can read the gauge on the can if you know the ambient temperature.The pressure in the can increases when the refrigerant expands.
Step 7: There is a service port for the air conditioning.
There are two service ports in your air conditioning system.You will need to locate and identify the low side service port when you replenish your air conditioner.The low side service port can be found by following the lines from the A/C compressor until you find a nozzle at the bottom of the car.Refer to your vehicle's service manual if you can't locate the port.
Step 8: The area around the service port should be cleaned using a rag.
If you want to keep the service port clean, you need to wipe the port, cap, and area around it with a rag.Remove the cap and line first, then wipe the port off.If you need to clean the line, you can spray brake cleaner on it.
Step 9: Attach the charging hose to the port.
You can connect the hose that comes with the refill kit to the low side service port by taking it with you.The nozzle on the can should be connected to the opposite end of the hose.The can should have a nozzle on the gauge that you should connect the hose to.You should be able to connect the hose to the port without placing the can in the engine bay.
Step 10: The gauge has an ambient air pressure chart.
Take the ambient temperature into account to determine the current level of the refrigerant.To determine when the system is full, you need to keep an eye on the gauge.To know when to stop, keep an eye on the gauge.The can has instructions on how to read the gauge.
Step 11: Wait until you puncture the seal on the can before turning the valve.
The valve on the top of the refrigerant can should be turned clockwise until it pierces the bottom and opens the hose and air conditioning system.Cans may need a different method to break their seal.Refer to the instructions on the can.
Step 12: Hold the can up.
Keep the can upright and shake it occasionally as you allow the refrigerant to pass into the vehicle.The can will fail to refill if you turn it to the side.Sometimes shaking the can will help maintain pressure.Do not hold the can upside down.
Step 13: Look for leaks in the refrigerants.
As you refill the air conditioning system, keep an eye out for signs of leaking.A professional mechanic will be able to fix a leak.To find and address the leak, make a note of where it happened.As you refill the system, you should be able to spot leaks.
Step 14: Store the can somewhere cooler after removing the charging hose.
If the gauge reads full, remove the hose from the service port and return the cap.If you have left the can, you can use it to charge another vehicle or to service the same vehicle again in the future.You can throw the can away if it's empty.If you store the can, make sure it's not leaking.
Step 15: If necessary, bring the vehicle to the repair shop.
You will need to bring the vehicle in for repairs if you spotted a leak or air conditioning compressor failure.It is often beyond the scope of most hobby mechanics to replace an A/C compressor.The temperatures can be cold enough to hurt you if you deal with a leak.