Ac doesn’t work after radiator replacement
I just had my radiator replaced and now the ac doesn't get cold. It worked fine before. I'm wondering if there was something the mechanic forgot to reconnect.
My car has 152000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If it flat out does not function at all, it is possible an electrical connector was not re-attached. But there are actually quite a few possibilities, such as the condenser fan not being re-attached, not working, or damaged; the condenser blocked by dislodged debris; a coincidental leak (which can only be determined by state of charge, pressures, and infrared leak detector). I would take it back to the mechanic to have them check the work. If the problem still persists, or you would like to have this checked elsewhere, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect the AC.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
In general, this problem is caused either by a dirty condenser and fan or a clogged condenser. The condenser unit won`t turn on: If your condenser unit won`t turn on at all, you may have a faulty motor or the unit may not be receiving power. Examine all wiring and ensure that the unit is plugged in.
If the engine is running hot or overheating, it can have a noticeable negative affect on the air conditioning system. Some cars have two electric cooling fans, one for the air conditioning condenser and the other for the radiator. Make sure they are both working properly.
The air-conditioning condenser is a radiator positioned between the car`s grille and the engine-cooling radiator in which the gaseous refrigerant sheds heat and returns to a liquid state. The liquid refrigerant flows to the evaporator inside the dashboard, where it cools the cabin.
Automotive ac compressor lubrication is negatively impacted due to the high oil temperature that results from a lack of radiator fan assembly operation. Too high oil temperature will change the oil properties and will affect the hvac compressor internal lubrication and the a/c compressor pumping capacity.
Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC`s reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot. If you don`t see a reset button on the outside, it could be located inside the unit behind the service panel.
When the engine reaches ideal operating temperature, the thermostat opens and allows the cooling system to flow freely. When the radiator stops working correctly, too much pressure is put on the thermostat, often causing it to stop working.
Yes indeed. Air conditioning is all about transfer of heat. Radiators exchange heat. AC systems actually have two radiators.
Condenser
Your vehicle`s A/C condenser is usually located in the front of the radiator, giving it the nickname of the mini-radiator. When the compressor is pressurizing the refrigerant, the condenser works to reduce the temperature and pressure of hot gasses coming from the refrigerant.
The refrigerant of an air conditioner is flowing inside. The car condenser and radiator are actually the same things, that is, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner at home. The condenser is called in written form, while the radiator is commonly called, which is used to dissipate heat during refrigeration.
A clogged or damaged condenser can also cause compressor failure, as a poorly functioning condenser won`t remove enough heat from the refrigerant. This can sometimes mean the refrigerant remains in a liquid state when it`s pumped to the compressor, and that`s bad.
If your air conditioner is running, but not lowering temperatures inside, one issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home.
If your air conditioner will turn on, and your thermostat is set properly, but your system is not cooling you may have a dirty or blocked air condenser. Your first step is to check the outside unit and clean around and remove any debris or weeds that are blocking air circulation.
Some air conditioning systems have a reset switch, which is a small, red button. Typically, the button will be on the outdoor unit. If you have a problem locating it on the outdoor unit, you may find relevant details on the equipment`s manufacturer`s manual. Press the red button for three seconds and release.
Air conditioning sensors are components of the system that measure the temperature in the room. These sensors help your air conditioner to regulate the temperature of the air according to the setting on the control panel. A sensor that isn`t working properly can`t accurately measure the temperature in the room.
Add Coolant
Check oil and transmission fluid levels in case any was lost during the installation. This is an excellent time to flush your coolant system and replace the old coolant with new coolant. Unless the coolant was recently replaced, we highly recommend performing a flush and fill.
Clogged air filters are one of the most common reasons a thermostat clicks but AC does not turn on. A filter cleans the air before it circulates throughout your home, trapping dirt particles, dust, and pollen. Over time, these contaminants will clog the filter, limiting airflow to the HVAC system or furnace.
AC Problems a Thermostat Might Cause
Short-cycling places immense strain on the compressor, raising electrical bills and shortening the systemsb lifespan.
Start your car`s engine and allow it to idle. Look through the radiator filler neck to see if the coolant flows. At this time, it should not be flowing as your car has not reached the operating temperature to cause the thermostat to open. If you find the coolant is flowing, it means the thermostat valve is open.
The job of the compressor is to pressurize the refrigerant, turning it from a gas into a liquid. The condenser`s role is to further cool down the refrigerant and exchange heat with the surroundings.
The good news is that even though your AC condenser is somewhat vulnerable to damage and wear, most of the time you can expect it to last the life of your car. Signs that your AC condenser needs to be replaced include: Leaking. Air not as cool as it should be.
The flow rate of cooling air passing through the radiator of the cooling system decreases when a condenser is installed in front of it, due to an increase in the total resistance. 2. When the air conditioner is operating, the temperature of the air entering the radiator is higher than the ambient temperature.
The evaporator coil is the part of an air-conditioning system that removes heat and moisture from indoor air to cool it. The condenser coil takes that heat and releases it outside.
In the Automotive industry, there are mainly three types of AC condensers in vehicles` ventilation systems- serpentine, tube, and fin, and the most popular parallel flow condenser.
You will want to have the unit examined to look for signs of a blown fuse, a tripped circuit breaker, a broken thermostat, or dirty air filters. Dirty or clogged filters commonly make AC compressors stop working.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Honda Civic 2008. AC stopped working suddenly and engine check light came ON for a day.Next day AC worked and no engine light.
ANSWER : Hi there. In both cases, when an AC system is not working and a warning light is coming on the dashboard, typically a professional mechanic will complete the same initial inspection, which is to download the stored error codes that triggered the warning light initially. This tends to give them an idea as to what is causing the problems. This could be something as simple as an electrical relay that is faulty or loose or an indication of a computer related "glitch". Either way, the best way to move forward is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection.
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My dash board don’t work my front light work when I change my light into high beam and my back window won’t go down
ANSWER : As unfortunate as it is, your vehicle would be considered flood damaged. Diagnosing electrical problems in a flood damaged vehicle is nearly impossible. This would take many hours or even days to determine which wiring harnesses and circuits have been affected. Then nearly all of the wiring under the dash would likely require replacement as well as many sensors and switches. On a BMW vehicle, the amount of wires and switches are likely more than that of a lower end vehicle. Due to the inefficiency in cost, you would likely be able to purchase another BMW like yours for less than what it would cost to fix your car. Many insurance companies would consider this type of damage to total out the vehicle unfortuantely.
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AC wont blow on max
ANSWER : Based on the information you provided for your 2010 Dodge Avenger. It is likely that you have a leak in the air conditioning system. You may also have a resistor pack going bad, or the selector switch itself could be going bad. To have the problem verified, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to detect any leaks and make needed repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Ac doesn’t work after radiator replacement
My car ac a year ago stopped working on settings 123 only works on 4 I did the research so I do know it is the blower motor an ha
ANSWER : In your application, there is a replaceable blower motor resistor block. The resistor block permits multi-speed operation of the fan. If some fan speed settings work, but not others, the first thing to do is test the resistor block with a volt ohmmeter. If you desire testing, and replacement, as needed, please request a blower motor/resistor block diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you.
With regard to the A/C system, if gauge pressures (high and low) are normal when the system does operate, there are really only two principle possibilities for intermittent operation. One is circulating moisture in the system (due to a saturated dryer) which periodically freezes (and thaws) at the expansion valve and the other is a failure in the A/C control system, that is the clutch, sensors, and other electronics that control the compressor cycling. The cause of the problem can be readily found if you request an A/C system diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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If I get my blower motor replaced, do I also have to have my Ac recharged after replacing blower motor?
ANSWER : The blower motor on this vehicle is a simple removal and installation and does not require anything to be touched on the A/C. The refrigerant does not have to be removed. The only component that has to be removed is the glove box under cover to get to the blower motor.
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Dash, Tail/brake, dome, trunk, glovebox, and door lights won’t work, dash doing weird things.
ANSWER : Hi there. Sure would appear a lot is going on electrically all at once. This could be, a problem in the PDC (power distribution center). The PDC is typically located under the hood and contains numerous fuses and relays. I don’t believe any one fuse will resolve all of the electrical issues. There is a possibility, it is not a power supply issue. It may be, the result of a poor electrical ground common to the inoperative components. Proper circuit testing should be performed. This would confirm the cause of multiple electrical failures. I recommend having your vehicle’s electrical problems be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.
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My AC does not always work. If I fiddle with the blower knob I can ususally get it to work on the lowest setting.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a faulty blower motor resistor. The highest speed setting may still work because in most cars in the highest fan speed settings the current bypasses the blower motor resistor. In some cars, if the resistor is failed, the fan may stop working completely. Another reason a blower motor resistor may fail is when the blower motor has a mechanical problem or when a foreign object jams the blower motor fan blade and prevents it from spinning freely. This leads to increased current through the resistor and causes it to overheat and fail. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your system to determine what may be causing the fan not to work properly.
It sounds like you may have a faulty blower motor resistor. The highest speed setting may still work because in most cars in the highest fan speed settings the current bypasses the blower motor resistor. In some cars, if the resistor is failed, the fan may stop working completely. Another reason a blower motor resistor may fail is when the blower motor has a mechanical problem or when a foreign object jams the blower motor fan blade and prevents it from spinning freely. This leads to increased current through the resistor and causes it to overheat and fail. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your system to determine what may be causing the fan not to work properly.
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Gas gauge isn’t working. Sometimes the speedometer and the temperature gauge doesn’t work. Limited lights around gauges and radio.
ANSWER : Hi there. The dashboard lights are burned out in the dash and the dimmer switch could be worn causing the lights to be weak. The gauges that seldom fail to work is most likely a loose wire in the dash panel. The fuel gauge that is not going to E when shutting off the car has a damaged rheostat within the sending unit. The sending unit is in the fuel tank attached to the fuel pump. If you need further assistance with your gauges not working, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
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