What does the Service AC System message mean?
What does the Service AC System message mean?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The Service AC System message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, then there is an issue with your air conditioning system, and the system needs to be serviced.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Like every electrical component in your vehicle, multiple factors can be contributing to a climate control system issue. Faulty vents, a broken interior temperature sensor, failing fan motors, degraded fan relays, a refrigerant fuel leak and an insufficient amount of coolant in the engine.
The reason your car`s A/C system needs to be recharged is that, over time, the refrigerant gas that makes the system work will leak out of the system. This process can take many years — but, eventually, every vehicle will need its A/C system recharged.
A car`s air conditioning should be recharged every two years or so. However, if you notice any signs that your AC needs to be recharged, it`s important to take your car in as soon as possible. Taking care of your car`s AC is important for several reasons.
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average cost of an AC recharge is $300. Factors such as unit type, unit size, and refrigerant type can influence the final price, though most AC recharge costs fall between $200 and $500.
Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost
As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.
There are several things that can cause electrical problems for your car`s air conditioning. These can include failed switches, a blown fuse, a problem with the control module or something else. Fuses can short out and make the A/C stop working or a loose connection can create an electrical short that is easily fixed.
Though many car owners think they need to recharge or “top off” their air-conditioning system with refrigerant on a regular or annual basis, that`s not the case. An A/C system is a closed system, and if there are no problems, coolant is not consumed by the vehicle, nor does it escape.
Most AC systems in a car last for around 3-4 years, or five years, with recharging freon. Freon is a refrigerant recirculated in a closed system in your car to cool the interior. Since the car utilizes freon in an enclosed system, your car may never run out of it.
Rather than open a window and letting in pollution and noise, switching on your air con can have your vehicle cool and fresh in a matter of seconds. That being said, it does not make sense to leave your air con running all the time. In our experience, switching off your air con when you are not using it is a good idea.
Most vehicles have a label or sticker under the hood that indicate whether the refrigerant used is R-134a or R-1234yf. However, not all cars have this. If not, visiting the A/C Spec Database available through our Port Finder page will help you figure out what type of refrigerant your car needs.
Pop the hood and look for a label, which is usually white or bright yellow. On this it will either say “R-134a” or “R-1234yf,” and it may even say what the capacity is.
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.
While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it`s fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.
Don`t. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends not replacing Freon or refrigerant by yourself for both health and environmental reasons. Only an EPA licensed technician is legally allowed to reclaim Freon. Older formulas of Freon – specifically R-22 – are no longer used, but can still be found online.
Freon (which is really just a particular brand of refrigerant) lasts forever. It`s not like gas in car; it does not get “used up.” You see, your air conditioner`s refrigerant system is a “closed/sealed system,” meaning that it does not allow refrigerant to escape in any way.
Since the production of this substance has been so heavily restricted, finding Freon to re-charge an already-installed air conditioner has become difficult. What little Freon is made has become so rare that the prices have skyrocketed.
If you overcharge your car`s air conditioner, you could do some serious damage to your car`s compressor, put increased strain on your engine, and even cause overheating. You could also just end up with an AC unit that simply won`t turn on or doesn`t blow cool air.
Old, clogged air filters are often to blame for AC problems like frozen coils. If the filter isn`t the problem; you could be low on refrigerant.
A weak car battery can cause your auto air conditioner to function poorly or not at all. Car batteries need to have enough voltage to trigger the AC compressor, and while it may be strong enough to run the rest of your car, it may still be too weak to run your car`s air conditioning.
Typically, AC systems use “TR”-type fuses to ensure safe system operation. However, if you`re in a pinch and need to replace a fuse quickly, you can use a fuse that is rated for a lower amperage than what the system is rated.
Batteries in modern-day cars ensure that the engine always eats first, metaphorically speaking. When you start the engine in newer cars, anything that`s operated electrically – from the air conditioner fan to the radio – doesn`t draw power until after the engine is running.
That`s because refrigerant simply does not go bad or expire. As long as the cylinder or can is fully sealed (no leaks) and the valve is not open or broken, refrigerant will last in its container indefinitely.
Your A/C system uses a type of refrigerant (commonly called Freon) to cool the interior of your vehicle. Having a coolant flush performed will not help your A/C stay cool, or visa versa.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
What does the Service AC System message mean?
ANSWER : The Service AC System message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, then there is an issue with your air conditioning system, and the system needs to be serviced.
Read Full Q/A … : What does the Service AC System message mean?
Service ABS System, Traction Control System and Service Stability System
ANSWER : Hello. These systems are interconnected, since both of them can control individual wheel brake functions when operating. It is likely that one of the speed sensors are failing. To have this verified, have a qualified professional, like one from YourMechanic, diagnose the warning lights, pinpoint the fault(s), and make necessary repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : What does the Service AC System message mean?
What would be the service charges for Ford Escape 2006 Hybrid model SUV? Also the system displays a message as Tire Sensor.
ANSWER : Hi there. The tire message is coming on saying that one or more of the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS) is not communicating to the ECM (computer). Either the sensor needs reprogrammed or replaced.
Billing question sent to CS for the cost to perform a service on a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid with a L4-2.3L engine.
Read Full Q/A … : What does the Service AC System message mean?
What does the check brake system warning mean in the message system?
ANSWER : Your car is equipped with a number of different sensors designed to monitor critical systems for malfunctions and problems, including your brakes. If you see a warning message that reads “Check brake system” come on in your message center, it means that the computer has detected abnormal operation in the brakes. It does not mean that you immediately need to have your car inspected, but if the warning does not go away or continues to come up, you should have the entire system inspected and repaired.
Tip
If you see this warning, test the system carefully to determine if it feels differently (soft, spongy, harder than usual, etc.).
Read Full Q/A … : What does the Service AC System message mean?
What does the Service Battery Charging System message mean?
ANSWER : The Service Battery Charging System message can appear on your driver information center (DIC). When the DIC displays this alert, then the charging system for your battery is not operating properly and needs servicing.
Read Full Q/A … : What does the Service AC System message mean?
2008 VW Jetta AC not cold
ANSWER : Hi Allen. By far the best way to have your AC system correctly diagnosed is by having an AC inspection completed first. By having one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location to diagnose the issue correctly, it significantly minimizes the mistakes in completing the wrong service. In your case, the issue could be as simple as needing to have the AC system recharged, or there is an existing leak that needs to be repaired before refilling the refrigerant. Best economic bet is to have the AC inspection completed first.
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Opinion about older AC systems versus the AC systems in modern cars
ANSWER : Here is the kicker. The old air conditioning systems were huge and they wasted a lot of energy. But with that said, they blew as cool as can be and lasted a long time.
For example, you can take an old Chevy AC compressor – those things were gigantic and some of them weighed 50 pounds – but they blew freezing cold. That said, they used a lot of energy to work and those things held like three pounds of refrigerant. Modern ones don’t even hold a pound of refrigerant and they are all computer controlled. So when they break, they can cost a fortune because not only do they have computers that turn the air conditioning clutch on and off, some of them have the air conditioning clutches that work all the time.
Inside, the compressor have these variable swash buckle plates that are controlled by a computer and can give 0-100% power. And guess what, that stuff is all computer controlled. And when it all breaks, it can cost thousands when they finally break down. So I tend to agree with you that old one’s work better, but the newer ones are much more efficient and they use much less fuel. That’s why they are using them. They get bonus points for better gas mileage from the federal government.
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What does the Service Tire Monitor System message mean?
ANSWER : The Service Tire Monitor System message can appear on the driver information center (DIC). The DIC displays this alert when it detects an issue with the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS). When the TPMS issue is resolved, the alert will go away.
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