Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips

The cabin air filter removes pollutants from the air that comes through your car’s ventilation system before circulating it through the rest of the vehicle. The filter is typically found behind the glove box, but it may also be under the dashboard or under the hood. Once you find your cabin air filter, inspect it for discoloration and excess debris. If it’s too clogged up, the filter may let out dirty air or no air at all. If needed, you can replace the filter in a matter of minutes.

The blower motor pushes air through the vents on the dashboard. It typically resides under the passenger-side dashboard. If it’s in poor shape, the blower motor can cause reduced airflow, odd smells, and/or unusual sounds.

Refer to your owner’s manual for how to remove the blower motor. Assess it for any debris that may have stopped it from working. If it’s no longer working, it’ll need to be replaced. You can do this yourself or have it done at a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre.

Similar to the cabin air filter, the condenser can also become clogged and interfere with the quality of airflow in your vehicle. The condenser is located under the hood of the car, in front of the radiator. Once you find it, use a steady stream of water to clear off any debris on the grille’s louvers. Pay special attention to the bottom portion of the condenser, where contaminants like salt collect.

The cooling fan, also known as the radiator fan, is in charge of keeping the entire vehicle, including the engine, from getting too hot. Under the hood, the cooling fan sits between the radiator and the engine. Many parts of the cooling fan can, when damaged, affect the A/C or other components of the vehicle.

Out of the relay, temperature sensor, control, and fan motor, the relay is typically the part connected to A/C problems since a faulty relay can cause the engine to overheat. If you notice any corrosion around the cooling fan relay, replace it yourself or take it into a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre to have it replaced.

The compressor lives under the hood at the front of the engine. Some refer to it as the “heart” of the A/C system, because it controls the amount of pressure on the car’s refrigerant, which makes changing the temperature of the vehicle possible.

There are many parts that work in combination with the compressor. The serpentine belt, for instance, needs to be turning for the compressor to turn. If it’s not working, it may need a replacement. If the belt is turning, then the issue may be with the clutch wire or compressor piston.

Bad clutch oil, a faulty thermostat, or low refrigerant levels can also impact the compressor’s performance. An issue with any of these can restrict airflow. Unless you have experience with compressor problems, most of them should be addressed by a professional.