5 Symptoms of a Bad Car A/C Condenser
Decades ago, having an air conditioning system in your car was considered a luxury. Today, it’s a basic feature that we often take for granted and if any one of the parts in the A/C system fails, the air conditioning won’t work.
The air conditioner condenser is one such part. If this component fails, you won’t be a very happy camper in the middle of summer. Here are the most common symptoms of a bad A/C condenser and how much it’s going to cost to replace it.
5 Symptoms of a Bad A/C Condenser
While a few of these problems just indicate a problem with something in the air conditioning system, those that relate to a buildup of heat usually point to the A/C condenser since removing the system of heat is its main job.
1) Lukewarm Air From Vents
This is probably the first thing you will notice if your A/C condenser is failing. When you expect cool air and are hit with a lukewarm gust instead, the A/C condenser should be inspected for blockages or defects which cause restrictions in airflow. If the flow of the gas and liquid are interrupted here then the entire system is unable to run at its maximum efficiency.
2) Burning Smell
When the vehicle can’t release the heat the A/C system builds up, then eventually the temperature of all of the parts will increase to the point that components start burning and emitting a smell while the A/C is turned on.
This is a serious problem and you will likely need to replace multiple parts of the system as they may be melted so badly that they no longer function.
3) Overheating While Idling
For the same reasons, a vehicle that isn’t circulating refrigerant through the A/C condenser successfully won’t eliminate heat well so it will build up in the system.
Normally, the A/C condenser is cooled by the air flow it receives once the vehicle starts moving again, but if too much heat is built up by a faulty condenser then this normal behavior just won’t be enough cooling.
4) Noticeable Coolant Leaks
As the A/C condenser contains refrigerant under high pressure, it is more prone to leaks if there are any vulnerabilities in the part. Leaks due to failing seals is a normal part of the aging of the condenser, but the entire part should be replaced before all of the refrigerant leaks out of the system.
5) Warning Lights on Dashboard
Some newer vehicles have a warning system that detects a problem with the air conditioning system and emits a warning light on the dashboard. Check your owner’s manual to see if this is something that you should watch for.
Causes of a Bad A/C Condenser
The main cause of a failing A/C condenser is simple wear and tear of the seals and tubes in the part caused by aging. Unfortunately, since the seals alone cannot be replaced, the entire condenser unit must be replaced.
Another cause of a faulty condenser is debris inside that either blocks the flow of refrigerant or travels in the refrigerant and causes damage as it contacts the A/C system components.
These debris often come from a broken A/C compressor that releases metallic fragments into the system. If this is the problem, both the A/C compressor and A/C condenser will need replacement.
