Some car owners may wrongly diagnose the problem with the AC system of their cars and replace a compressor when something else was responsible for the failing compressor. This article discusses some of the components that professionals check before replacing the compressor in a car.
Refrigerant Line Grounding
Some car owners may think that the AC compressor is failing when they experience vibrations inside the car as the AC is working. However, those vibrations may not be emanating from the AC compressor. The problem could be due to refrigerant lines that have been grounded onto the chassis, engine components or on the car body. The flow of refrigerant can then initiate the vibrations that you wrongly attribute to the compressor.
A Defective Cycling Switch
The compressor has a switch that regulates when the compressor cycles on and off in response to the changes in the temperature of the car. The compressor may not stay on for a sufficient amount of time if this switch has a defect. Consequently, you may think that the compressor is defective, yet the switch is preventing it from doing its work.
A Defective Drive Belt
The compressor can also fail to do its work effectively if its drive belt is frayed or has developed another defect. Any defect with this belt causes the compressor to perform poorly since it will not have sufficient energy for its moving parts to work. Replacing or tightening this belt can therefore restore normal functioning to the compressor.
Restricted Airflow
Another factor that can hinder the performance of the compressor is a restriction in the airflow through the condenser. This restriction can be caused by several factors, such as aftermarket parts that block the passage of air, or debris that blocks the gap between the radiator and the condenser. Clearing this blockage can allow the compressor to work well again.
Unfavourable Engine Operation
The AC compressor may also not work well if the engine is operating outside the ideal conditions that enable the compressor to kick into operation. For instance, the temperature of the engine may be so low that the compressor will be unable to start working. Overheating engines can also cause compressors to stop working well.
As you can see, many factors can cause the compressor of the AC system in your car to stop working properly. It is therefore advisable for you to take your car to a professional for inspection and auto repairs so that the root cause of the compressor's poor performance can be identified. The system will then return to its efficient performance once that problem is fixed.
Share30 June 2017
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