A car without air conditioning is like a man without a woman. It feels alive but something seems to be missing, or incomplete. You surely don't want to face the scorching sunlight inside a car without AC, especially when stuck in traffic. This indicates that the car's AC is an important part. Starting the car comes as a package with turning on the AC, right, friend?

But what if your car's AC doesn't function like it usually does? When turned on, something seems off with its components. Whether it's a noisy, strange sound, or instead of being cold, it feels hot. Have you ever experienced this?

If yes, these could be early signs of your car's AC malfunctioning. Damage to the car's AC usually affects the AC compressor. The AC compressor is often referred to as the heart of the entire AC system. Why is that? The compressor is one of the key components. Without the compressor, the entire AC system will not work. The compressor's job is to compress the refrigerant or freon gas throughout the system so that it can expel heat and humidity from the air inside the cabin.

Generally, car AC compressors can last a long time. Even if they fail before their lifespan, it is usually due to issues that could have been prevented. The price of a car AC compressor is quite expensive. In some cases, there are instances where it cannot be repaired. This highlights the importance of maintaining the AC compressor to keep it in optimal condition. So, what are the early signs of your car's AC compressor malfunction that you should be aware of to get immediate treatment?

Rough Sounds

A rough sound is heard when the AC button is switched to positions 1-2-3 indicating the AC is starting to work. A problematic compressor will emit sounds like friction, sounding rough. However, if switched to the off button, the rough sound will disappear. This is a sign.

Decreased Compressor Pressure

The pressure in the compressor decreases. This is marked by the airflow from the car's AC feeling less cold, especially when the car engine is running at low speed. However, when the car starts moving at a certain speed, the airflow from the car's AC will start to feel cold.

Freon Leak

The larger the leak, the faster the freon will run out. As a result, the AC will not feel cold. On average, leaks in the car AC compressor last about 6 weeks until the freon is completely depleted. If this happens, you need to fix it immediately. A leak of freon gas can have dangerous side effects if inhaled continuously, you know, friend.

Problems with the Magnetic Clutch

This problem is generally noticed when the car is in traffic or when the car is crawling. The air that was once cold suddenly becomes not cold at all. However, after being turned off for a moment and turned back on, the AC functions again and feels cold. Usually accompanied by high engine RPM, above 1 or 1000 RPM.

Well, those are the early signs of your car's AC malfunction. If the above issues have occurred with your car's AC, fix it immediately. If delayed or left alone thinking it will fix itself, it will affect other components and cause greater damage. Don't let yourself be in a hot situation in a car without a properly functioning AC, or else your heart and mind will also get heated, friend.

Read also: Know the Causes of Car AC Damage