Repairing Our Vehicle

The interior of a car can become very hot during the summer months. Most drivers rely on an air conditioning system to help keep the cabin of the vehicle cool and comfortable while driving in the heat. If your car's compressor goes out, you could find yourself without a functional AC system.

Here are three signs that you can watch for when trying to determine if you are having compressor problems within your car's AC system in the future.

1. Absence of sound when turning on your car's AC.

If you are trying to determine whether or not your compressor is going bad, it can be beneficial to listen to the sounds being produced when you turn on your vehicle's AC system. A functional compressor will generate an audible noise when you engage your car's AC system.

If you don't hear any sounds coming from the AC system after activation, this absence of sound is a good indication that there is a problem with your compressor. Have an experienced mechanic conduct a thorough check to see if your compressor needs to be repaired or replaced.

2. Blown fuses powering your compressor.

Your car's compressor requires access to an electrical current in order to function properly. When you think your compressor is acting up, it can be beneficial to check your fuse panel to see if the fuse powering your compressor is blown.

Consistent blowing of fuses could be an indication that your compressor is beginning to fail. An experienced mechanic will be able to determine if an electrical problem is causing the blown fuse, or if your compressor needs to be replaced.

3. Leaks within the compressor.

Your vehicle's compressor should be a closed component. Any leaks within the compressor could compromise its ability to generate cooled air, and the compressor will need to be repaired or replaced in order to restore function to your vehicle's AC system.

You can check for compressor leaks by adding an ultraviolet dye to your AC system. Run your air conditioner consistently, then use a blacklight to check for signs of a leak.

Being able to determine when your vehicle's compressor is going bad will help you better care for your AC system in the future. If you don't hear any noise when engaging the AC system, if the fuses powering your compressor are constantly blowing out, or if you spot leaks in your compressor, have a mechanic repair or replace the compressor as quickly as possible.