Air Conditioner Warning Signs Not To Ignore

Posted on: 1 May 2017

Summer is quickly approaching. While you can look forward to vacation and longer days, with the seasonal change you can also expect warmer temperatures. When the heat hits, the last thing you want is a failing air conditioner in your car. Fortunately, you can avoid this by being able to recognize the signs of a failing system. Learn how you can discover a problem before your air conditioner completely goes out.

Weird Smell

If you notice an unusual smell coming from your vehicle when you power on the air conditioner, this is a warning sign you don't want to ignore. A foul odor is often an indication that some type of growth has formed inside the actual unit.

A growth, such as mold, is often an indication that the system is not cycling away moisture as it should, causing it to build up inside the unit. More importantly, this can lead to health issues for anyone riding in the vehicle. This risk is only heightened when the passengers have asthma or allergies.

Decreased Pressure

If your air conditioner is blowing out the same level of air on the high setting as it does on the low setting, this is a sign that there is a pressure issue going on with your air conditioner unit. Generally, this problem can be attributed to a leak.

When the fluid leaks from your unit, the air conditioner will still produce cold air, but it won't blow out at a high rate, leading to the pressure issues. The more fluid that leaks out, the lower the pressure, and, eventually, the less cool air the unit will produce.

Strange Noises

A strange noise is also an issue that you should pay attention to when operating your air conditioner unit. When your unit is on, for the most part, you should not hear any noise aside from the sound of the air blowing. If you hear a knocking or rattling type of sound, first check to see if there is anything stuck inside the unit, such as a leaf that could be causing the problem.

However, if this is not the case, this could be a sign that one of the components inside the unit is loose. The more you use the unit, the looser the piece will become, and it could eventually completely dislodge and lead to complete failure.  

If you suspect an issue with your car's air conditioner, don't wait around. The faster you have the issue looked at, the faster the problem can be resolved, and the cooler you will be in your car all summer long. Contact a local mechanic shop for additional information.

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