Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How the air conditioner works
• Method 2 of 2: Repairing the air conditioner
• Tips
• Warnings

Do you know this feeling when you sit in a car and are exhausted from the heat? And all due to the fact that the air conditioner does not work .. From this article you will learn how the air conditioner works, the possible causes of the malfunction and how to fix it.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How the air conditioner works

1. 1 A car air conditioner is essentially a non-standard refrigerator. It is designed in such a way that it draws in warm air from the passenger compartment and cools it (condenses), while cleaning and drying it.
2. 2 Here are the main components of an air conditioning system:
   • Compressor: responsible for circulating the refrigerant.
   • Refrigerant: usually freon, it takes heat.
   • Condenser: converts the refrigerant, changing its state from gas to liquid.
   • Expansion valve: controls the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator.
   • Evaporator: heat exchanger, converts refrigerant from liquid to gas.
   • Receiver-Drier: a reservoir for liquid refrigerant, cleans it from impurities and water.
3. 3 Conditioning process. A pressurized compressor sends refrigerant to a condenser (usually located in front of the radiator in the cooling system).
   • The compressor constantly compresses and circulates the refrigerant. When compressed, the gaseous refrigerant turns into a liquid state (in the condenser), condensing in a heat exchanger-condenser with the release of heat. Further, during the reverse transition to the gaseous state, heat is absorbed in the evaporator. The evaporator located in the passenger compartment constantly lowers the air temperature, directing the cooled air into the passenger compartment. The refrigerant transfers heat to and is released from a condenser located outside the passenger compartment. This cycle repeats continuously, the heat from the passenger compartment is removed to the atmosphere.

Method 2 of 2: Repairing the air conditioner

1. 1 Check the amount of refrigerant in the system. There may be a Freon leak in the system. You can check this with special fluorescent inks by adding them to the system. If the hole is large, then the pressure will be small, check it.
2. 2 Make sure the compressor is running.
   • Start your car, turn on the air conditioner, and look under the hood. The compressor looks like a pump without a filler neck. In any case, find its location according to the vehicle's user manual.
   • If the air conditioner is on, the blower works, but the compressor is silent, that is, there are several options. This could be a fuse problem, a breakdown in the wiring, a broken switch in the passenger compartment, or a low refrigerant level.
3. 3 Check for all possible causes. This may be, in addition to the above, a broken fan belt or a compressor defect.
4. 4 Chilly? If the system still produces slightly cooled air, then most likely you simply ran out of freon. It can be purchased at auto dealerships (refueling kit with instructions).
   • Don't overdo it! Too much refrigerant will only reduce the efficiency of the system.

Tips

• If you suspect bad wiring, try powering the compressor from the positive battery terminal.If it works (with the engine running) or there is a loud click, then everything works and you need to check the wiring and fuses. If not, then most likely you need to change the compressor.
• There are several types of refrigerants. The most popular are R134a as well as R12. HC12a is considered illegal in many places and its use can be punished.
• A special oil is also dissolved in the refrigerant, which is a lubricant for the air conditioning system.
• Another possible cause of an air conditioner not working is heat from the engine. Check the location of the air conditioning system and, if necessary, try to isolate it from excess heat.

Warnings

• When testing the air conditioner, be careful under the hood! The fan blades can damage your health.
• The best option is to give the car to a proven car service, and fill the system with freon from a specialist too. If you yourself start to repair the system, without having experience and skills, then there is a chance only to ruin everything.
• Freon by itself practically cannot lead to an explosion, but inhalation of its vapors in a small room can lead to asphyxiation.
• Refrigerant can also cause frostbite if it comes into contact with the skin.
• Connect the system correctly, otherwise, if you make an error and connect to a high pressure system, you may get an explosion.
• When replacing freon with another type, it is better to entrust it to professionals. New freon can burn the compressor if it does not work after the old one.