Trusted in West Seattle for 55 years
Services: Air Conditioning and Heating
AC and heat are for more than just comfort in your car. Here’s why these systems are important, how they work, and when it’s time for car heater or AC repair!
Full Service Auto Repair in West Seattle Since 1971
Car Heater and AC Repair
We all know the experience of getting into a cold car in the winter, shivering, and the relief of thawing your hands in front of the heater as it warms up. Or the relief AC brings after you’ve climbed into a stuffy car that’s been baking in the summer sun.
Air conditioning and heating aren’t just luxury systems, though. It’s actually important to keep your AC, if you have it, and your heater in good working order. After all, if you’re comfortable, temperature-wise, you’ll be better able to navigate safely and drive defensively instead of feeling way too hot in July or far too cold in January. Your heater and AC also play other vital roles, like defrosting the windshields to maintain your visibility.
If one of these systems isn’t working, don’t just disregard it as a minor inconvenience. Let’s talk about how these systems work, why they’re important, and what you need to know about car heater and AC repair.
How Your Air Conditioning and Heating Systems Work
Let’s start with the air conditioning system. In a nutshell, the AC system cools down the air in the car and removes moisture from it for a more comfortable temperature. There are different types of systems, but they all work similarly. Basically, there are hoses carrying refrigerant throughout the system. That refrigerant absorbs heat and then gets cooled down in a compressor. A blower pushes air across the now-cold tubes of refrigerant, removing heat and sending cool air through your vents into the cabin.
Now let’s look at how the heater works. When you turn the heat on, you get warm air that’s been heated from the engine. Your engine produces a lot of heat and needs a cooling system to regulate its temperature, which is comprised of hoses carrying coolant to absorb and dissipate heat. When you need warmth in the cabin, some of that engine heat can be transferred through your vents.
More Than Just Comfort! The Importance of Your AC and Heater
Miserable drivers are often distracted and not at their best. So, keeping the car at a comfortable temperature isn’t just indulgence—it’s ensuring you’re in proper shape to pay attention to the road and drive safely.
Additionally, the heater and AC are what run the windshield defroster. Being able to see clearly is one of the fundamental basics of safe driving, so the defroster is not something you want to malfunction on cold days.
In newer cars, the AC helps regulate temperature for more than just you. Today’s cars have computers in them. As you know, a computer needs to be kept cool to operate properly. That means a functioning AC might be crucial to a functioning vehicle—especially if you have a hybrid or EV.
Components of the Air Conditioning and Heating Systems
| Air conditioning compressors | Blower motors & resistors |
Troubleshooting and AC Repair
You might push the button for AC, and nothing happens, or the vents may blow warm air instead. Even if the fan blows cool but not cold air, there’s likely a problem somewhere in the system.
There are many potential culprits for an AC problem. One of the likely issues is a leak, meaning refrigerant gas has escaped. Without refrigerant, there is no cold air from your vents. You could also have a clogged cabin filter. From there, any one of the air conditioning system components—from the pressure switch to the condenser to the fans—could be faulty.
If your air conditioning isn’t working or isn’t working well, request an appointment for AC repair, and we’ll get to the bottom of the problem. We can inject Freon dye to find a refrigerant leak or inspect the various system components to determine the defect.
Car Heater Problems
As with the air conditioning, there could be various explanations for a failing car heater. Usually, the first thing to check is the coolant. Remember, coolant is one of those essential vehicle fluids you should check regularly. It should be topped off as needed and flushed periodically.
A failing heater might also be due to a bad blower fan or a malfunctioning thermostat. Your heater core could also be clogged due to contaminated coolant (again, that’s why it needs to be checked, topped off, and flushed!).
Request Heater or AC Repair Today
We recommend getting your air conditioning and heating systems looked at before you take a long road trip or any time you notice problems. Additionally, whenever you bring your vehicle in for servicing, we’ll check how the cooling and heating systems are operating. Don’t forget the routine maintenance items that help keep the AC and heater working properly, too—things like replacing the cabin filter regularly and checking the coolant. That cabin air filter maintains air quality in your car, so it’s worth prioritizing.
When you’re comfortable, you’re a safer driver, so keep these systems in good working order! If you’ve been experiencing problems, give Tom’s Automotive a call or request an appointment for heater or AC repair. Even if you haven’t noticed issues, we’ll check these systems at your next service appointment to ensure everything is in top shape.
