Your car's air conditioning system operates on a much more complicated principle than just pressing a button. Edmunds senior editor Brent Romans notes that not many people realize that once your air conditioner is on, your car is actually "burning" gasoline to make you feel cooler--that is, when the air conditioner is working properly. The system involves the process of evaporation and condensation. In addition, Phil Coconis of AutoMedia notes how the two basic sections of an air conditioner--the air management and refrigerant cycling systems--affect its proper functioning.
When your car's air conditioner is not working properly, either producing warm air or none at all, Coconis advises checking the dashboard controls of the air conditioner. Before anything else, though, grab your car's service manual for model-specific instructions. The manual can give you a lot of information about your particular air conditioning system and its features, such as pressure and temperature controls. By reading the manual, you will also learn how to conduct basic diagnosis and testing on your air conditioner as well as the possible hazards and safety precautions you need to consider while working on it.
Brent Romans listed a loose drive belt, slipping compressor clutch, clogged condenser and evaporator or leakage in the system as some of the major reasons why a working car air conditioner is not producing sufficient cool air. Many of these problems can be diagnosed and repaired by yourself, but one common issue that might not be resolved in your own garage is when your air conditioning system lacks refrigerant charge. Special industry equipment, which is not commonly owned by end users, is needed to recharge your refrigerant; therefore you might need to go to an air conditioner repair shop to have it recharged.
To make sure that your car air conditioner is always working properly, Romans' advice is to have the system checked on a regular basis, depending on the recommendations listed in your car's manual. Bob and Ken of 2CarPros.com report that servicing your air conditioning system once every two years is the general rule.
