Signs Your Car's A/C is About to Break

By: PineRidge Ford   |   14 Jun 2017
A/C with an adhesive bandage

Summers in Saskatchewan can be beautiful and they can be hot. Our province receives the most sunshine of any province or territory in Canada and the average temperature in July hovers in the mid-30s. The last thing you need when you’re driving on the highway in your pickup is for your air conditioning to break when the sun is beating down.

 

When you know what to look out for, you can determine if your A/C is about to go, and get it fixed before bad things happens. Here we give you a few tips on what to keep an eye on if you think your A/C may be about to break.

 

Key Signs Your A/C is Broken

 

The Obvious - No A/C

Yes, it’s pretty obvious that your air conditioning system is broken if you climb in your car, start the engine, go to blast the A/C, and nothing happens. While it’s obvious your A/C isn’t working, it may not be obvious why. It could be that all of your refrigerant has leaked out, or there could be issues with a fan or fans, so the cold air isn’t reaching you. Either way, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with our Service Department - they can diagnose and fix the problem thoroughly and quickly.

 

Water Stains

It’s normal for water from your A/C to drip onto the ground from underneath your vehicle. When that water isn’t draining properly, however, it can build up and cause issues with the A/C system and potentially cause water stains on the floor of your vehicle. If you don’t notice water dripping from your vehicle when your A/C is on, it’s a good idea to book an appointment to have your A/C checked.

 

What’s That Smell?

If you are starting to get a hint of foul smelling odours when you turn on your A/C it could be a sign of mold. Mold in your A/C is not only unpleasant, left unattended it can be harmful to anyone riding in your vehicle. Monitor for any nasty smells whenever you turn on your A/C.

 

 

Fluid Leaks

A small leak in your A/C can be incredibly difficult to pinpoint before all your refrigerant runs out. This is because this fluid that is essential to cooling your vehicle turns into a clear, odourless gas when it leaks, so noticing it is next to impossible. Technicians generally have to use dyes to find where an A/C unit is leaking. If you notice your A/C is working, but not as well as it once did and is gradually getting worse, you may have a leak.

 

These are just a few signs that could indicate your A/C is about to call it quits. If you have an inkling that your A/C is having problems, contact our service department and book an appointment.

 

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