I tried to recharge my AC and whenever I put the gage in it says 0 I start to recharge it and gage fluctuates and car makes noise
My cars AC has not been working. It takes the air from outside and puts it in my car. I bought a freon kit to do because I read that is what you do. I hooked it up the gauge said 0 I began to do the directions and noticed every 10 seconds my car would make a weird noise and the gauge would go from a number to 0. What could be wrong with my car?
My car has 87000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. It is more than likely that you have either an AC refrigerant leak or that the compressor is damaged. The leak can be caused by damaged low or high pressure hoses, connections or other components that might be cracked. It’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete an AC inspection to locate the source of your problem so the right repairs will be made.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Common Reasons AC Doesn`t Run Cold
The most common causes of broken air conditioning leaks or compression issues. If you are feeling cool — but not cold — air, the issue could be a clogged filter, a problem with the cooling fan, signs of radiator trouble, or it could simply mean it`s time to recharge your AC.
Common reasons for this to happen: Carbon Buildup: A number of engine components are subject to carbon buildup over time, and this can place a significant load on the engine. When the additional load of your AC compressor is added, it causes the computer to miscalculate and increase idle speed too much.
One of the causes of an AC low-side pressure that is too high can be a damaged or leaking evaporator coil. Replacing the damaged or leaking evaporator coil can resolve the AC low-side pressure too-high issue.
If the AC system won`t hold a charge, there is a leak somewhere in the lines or other components. Leaks can be tested for by using a UV dye. Due to the danger involved, I would recommend having a mechanic who is certified in AC come to your home or business to run an inspection on your heating and AC system.
If your filter is dirty or clogged, your AC can`t pull in as much air as it needs to per cycle. If your AC pulls in less air, it cools less air and pumps less cooled air throughout your home.
Typically this occurs due to a bad vacuum check valve under the hood. During hard acceleration the AC door system loses vacuum, causing the doors to default to the windshield. This check valve keeps this from occurring. It is located under the passenger side of the hood.
Hissing or Whistling
It could be the sound of refrigerant gas in your expansion valve, for example. But a persistent hissing or whistling sound could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant leak could occur in your refrigerant lines or in your internal valve.
The low-side should be near 30 PSI at 90 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Pressure that is too much lower or higher shows there is a problem. On a properly working system, high-side pressure will be about twice the ambient temperature, plus 50 PSI.
Having too much refrigerant in your AC can damage the compressor. This can happen because the excess refrigerant will likely collect inside the compressor and cause subcooling, wherein temperatures are below normal. Furthermore, the extra refrigerant can flood the compressor and damage its mechanical parts.
Try cleaning your air conditioner`s filter and the coils to see if improving the airflow fixes the problem. If there is ice buildup, you`ll need to run the unit with just the fan in order to melt it off. If that doesn`t get the unit blowing cold air again, it could be refrigerant levels are low (see below).
Loud clanking or banging can also indicate that your compressor needs replacement. Rattling, ticking, rumbling: these kinds of sounds often point to a loosening piece of hardware or leaves clogged in your outdoor unit. Check for any debris, loose screws or bolts in the casing.
Check to see that the cooling fans on the condenser or radiator are running when the air –conditioning is on. Look for any restrictions like leaves, bugs or dirt that would keep air from passing over the condenser. Check the cabin air filter to ensure that it is not clogged.
Unless the car engine is sufficiently big, the energy required to run the AC becomes a significant part of the engine power. Therefore, less power is available to run the car. Hence the slow down.
Yes — like many of your car`s features, the air conditioning system does consume fuel. Car dair conditioning works by drawing energy from the alternator, which is powered by the engine.
Too Little or Too Much Refrigerant
In the event that the amount of refrigerant in the system is not perfect, it could create too much pressure or strain and lead to compressor failure. Too little refrigerant is most likely caused by an insufficient charge from the last technician, or from a refrigerant leak.
Freon settles in an air conditioner in a matter of minutes. Though, it depends on the type of air conditioner too. If the air conditioner is portable, it takes about 5-30 minutes for the Freon to settle. This time must be dedicated to the appliance for it to function properly.
Has your car`s A/C system lost its cool? Refrigerant can leak slowly from your car`s air conditioning system over time, but recharging the system so it once again blows cold air is an easy DIY task and takes just about 15 minutes.
Another common question about air conditioner is how to check car AC gas level at home. The simplest way to check that is to connect a gauge set to the system and check the pressures against the ambient temperature.
Has your car`s A/C system lost its cool? Refrigerant can leak slowly from your car`s air conditioning system over time, but recharging the system so it once again blows cold air is an easy DIY task and takes just about 15 minutes.
Freon settles in an air conditioner in a matter of minutes. Though, it depends on the type of air conditioner too. If the air conditioner is portable, it takes about 5-30 minutes for the Freon to settle. This time must be dedicated to the appliance for it to function properly.
Freon settles in an air conditioner in a matter of minutes. Though, it depends on the type of air conditioner too. If the air conditioner is portable, it takes about 5-30 minutes for the Freon to settle. This time must be dedicated to the appliance for it to function properly.
Has your car`s A/C system lost its cool? Refrigerant can leak slowly from your car`s air conditioning system over time, but recharging the system so it once again blows cold air is an easy DIY task and takes just about 15 minutes.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I tried to recharge my AC and whenever I put the gage in it says 0 I start to recharge it and gage fluctuates and car makes noise
ANSWER : Hi there. It is more than likely that you have either an AC refrigerant leak or that the compressor is damaged. The leak can be caused by damaged low or high pressure hoses, connections or other components that might be cracked. It’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete an AC inspection to locate the source of your problem so the right repairs will be made.
I put a penny in place of a fuse, tried to start my car and now it wont start and makes a grinding sound when i try to start it
ANSWER : Hi there. Putting a penny in place of a fuse, not recommended, replace with the correct fuse. The fuse is there, to protect the circuit. If the fuse blows, there is a short to ground. The grinding sound, when you try to start your vehicle, could be the starter. The starter drive could be at fault or the flywheel has a problem. I recommend having your vehicle’s no start be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
Charging warning light comes on when i turn the key and try to start the car and the car want start but when someone tried to give
ANSWER : Hi there:
If you recently replaced your battery, the issue may be caused by a malfunctioning alternator or other electrical component that comprises the charging system on your Nissan Sentra. The best way to find out which item specifically is faulty, is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection. This will allow the mechanic to determine the precise source of what’s going on with your Sentra and recommend or complete the right repairs.
Oky so everytime i try to start my car it makes this big loud clanking noise consistently on going when i try to start the car
ANSWER : I would need to hear the noise to be sure but when cranking the engine can only be one of two things. This could be the starter drive going bad or the flywheel has teeth worn or missing. Make sure the flywheel to torque converter bolts are tight when you remove the starter also. If you want to have this checked, a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose your car’s noise.
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Car makes grinding noise – 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
ANSWER : Hey there, thanks for writing in. I would have a professional mechanic check out the constant velocity joints on your vehicle. One or more of them may be worn enough to cause the noises you describe. S/he can diagnose and replace any failed CV joints.
Battery and oil light come on when trying to start car, take keys out try again car starts no problem and lights go away
ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.
If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
