Auto air conditioning systems can be complex and there are many different types of potential problems. Repairing your A/C system is a multistep diagnostic process that requires skill and expertise. Kent Auto Repair has specialized in automotive A/C for over 30 years.

Auto Air Conditioning Service

Not all vehicle A/C systems are repaired by recharging them.

How much will it cost to fix my car air conditioner? To answer that question we have to know what is wrong with the A/C system. We can not test the system unless it has the correct amount of refrigerant in it. The process to find the problem is the same as it is to service the A/C system.

Professionals are required to use certified A/C machines. If a shop is not using a certified A/C machine they are illegally servicing automotive A/C systems.

The A/C machine with pressure gauges is connected to the low and high-side ports of the auto A/C system to check the systems pressure. All vehicles have a pressure switch or sensor that prevents the A/C compressor from engaging when the system pressure is below 20 PSI. When there is adequate pressure, the A/C compressor should engage and create a pressure difference. If the compressor engages and creates a pressure difference the A/C system needs to have the correct amount of refrigerant in it for performance testing.

Adding refrigerant is not a professional service as the correct amount can not be accurately guessed. The only accurate method to properly recharge a vehicle is to recover the refrigerant. The machine recycles the refrigerant and after an evacuation and vacuum leak test the machine charges the system to the specified weight with an accuracy of .5 OZ.

The A/C system can now be tested for performance using the pressure readings and vent temperature.

When checking for leaks on vehicles with very low or empty refrigerant levels the technician uses an electronic leak detector or by injecting an ultraviolet dye into the A/C system. After the system runs and circulates the dye an ultraviolet light is used in a darkened area. The dye fluoresces when illuminated by the special light and the leaks appear a bright green. Be aware that small leaks could take days or weeks to appear.

The A/C compressor could have failed but there are a number of other potential problems that could be preventing its operation. The technician may use a scanner that can check for codes or look at the data of various temperature and pressure sensors.

The machines gauges help to diagnose the system and direct the technician to inspect the engines cooling fan or the A/C systems expansion valve. High pressure is usually caused by low airflow through the condenser caused by debris or a faulty cooling fan.

There can be problems with the controls and how the doors in the ventilation system operate. The blower in the dash is another potential problem

Rely on Kent Auto Repair, Your Skilled A/C Technician

Your auto air conditioner system has many ways to fail. The answer to the question, “How much it will cost?” requires a diagnosis by a skilled A/C technician. At Kent Auto Repair, we have decades of experience diagnosing and repairing automotive air conditioning systems. Let us make your car cool again.