Not So Cool (Air Conditioning Systems)

Posted January 5, 2025 3:31 AM

There's nothing quite like getting in your vehicle on a hot day, switching on the air conditioning and having warm air blow out of the vents.  You may have had no problem for months and then, one day, you are driving around in a sauna. You're hot stuff, but not in a good way!

So what goes wrong when the AC isn't working? It could be a lot of things because the system has many different components.  One thing that's a common cause is the vehicle is low on refrigerant (it used to be called Freon).  If that's the case, it's not as simple as simply adding more.  Sure, it may fix it quickly for a short time, but it's more likely than not that the refrigerant will just leak out again.

The original Freon used in air conditioners was destroying the Earth's ozone layer, so that's not used much any more.  But the one that's currently used also contributes to global warming, so it's important that as little of that escapes as possible.  So a technician will determine if there's a leak in your system, where it is and fix that before adding new refrigerant. 

Your vehicle also has an evaporator or two, and those can fail.  Leaks are often the problem with them as well.  The big component that can go bad is the compressor, often a victim of age, wear or neglect. 

A technician will also check to see that the blower is working correctly.  That's what blows that cool air into the cabin.  Sometimes the motor will fail, a relay will go bad or a fuse will blow.  As you can see, there are lots of different parts involved here! 

The good news is that your vehicle's service facility has the special equipment to recover the refrigerant and check the system's pressure, both vital to properly servicing the air conditioning system.

As with many vehicle components, regular maintenance can go a long way to minimizing problems in the air conditioning system. It can reduce the chance of the compressor having to be replaced, too.  Pretty cool, huh?

Dennis Road Automotive
11155 Dennis Road
Dallas, TX 75229
9722411901



Search



Archive

December 2024 (17)
January 2025 (4)
February 2025 (4)
March 2025 (5)
April 2025 (4)
May 2025 (4)
June 2025 (5)
July 2025 (4)
August 2025 (5)
September 2025 (4)
October 2025 (4)
November 2025 (5)
December 2025 (4)
January 2026 (3)

Categories

Alternator (2)Timing Belt (2)Maintenance (1)Brake Service (3)Water Pump (1)Headlamps (1)Alignment (3)TPMS (2)Oil Change (4)Spark Plugs (1)Transmission (1)Fuel Economy (2)Safe Driving (1)Drive Train (1)Tires and Wheels (1)What Customers Should Know (13)Air Conditioning (1)Fluids (4)Brakes (6)Battery (4)Windshield Wipers (1)Tires (3)Trip Inspection (1)Safety (1)Inspection (2)Exhaust (1)Fuel System (2)Differential Service (1)Steering (2)Cabin Air Filter (1)Shocks & Struts (1)Cooling System (1)

Partners

ACDelco
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
Jasper
BBB Accredited Business
Bosch Service
ASA Member (Automotive Service Association)
BG Products
Enterprise
ARI
Texas Official Inspection Station
Ford Power Stroke
Ford Motorcraft
Car Care Aware

What our clients are saying about us

We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!

Where do I start ADAM ADAM ADAM remember that name his customer service was outstanding, spectacular, and above and beyond, when I first pulled up he had a Genuine spirit, His presence made me feel very comfortable, I didn’t get this feeling “this guys just here to do a job and get paid” but that he has a heart to care about his clients, He listened, took notes, and understood what I was requesting fully. I told him how I went to another mechanic shop and how I was treated there and how much they were trying to charge me to fix an issue he emphasized with me and understood that not everyone have money to blow especially fixing unnecessary things that doesn’t necessarily pertain to the issue at hand I was being upsold at another mechanic shop and over charged but ADAM rest assured he doesn’t do that there he knows when you treat a customer right they’ll continue to be loyal. I was expecting to have it in the shop for a while and having to Uber to work and back it gets expensive when you’re 30 mins away from work. He was able to fix my Auto Stop Start and Check Engine light for dang near HALF the price of another mechanic shop quoted me and didn’t upsell me and fixed it in 2 DAYS! He was so nice I offered a tip 3 times and he denied it real genuine he also checked in on me to make sure things were straight. I was extremely happy to know it’s fixed and that I’m saving HALF the price I was quoted I found my Guy and Mechanic shop at Dennis Auto Motive HIGHLY RECOMMEND quotes-image
, 01/16/2026
reviewicon
I’ve trusted Dennis Road Automotive for many years, though it’s been a while since my last visit, mainly because they’re not open on weekends. I’ve always appreciated their straightforward service, and I still miss Riley, who brought a great personal touch to the experience. On my most recent visit, I was charged $374 for a new battery for a Lexus ES350. I’m not sure how that compares in today’s economy, but it gave me the same feeling you get when dining out these days, quality isn’t necessarily better, yet the prices seem to jump significantly. The work was completed, and the team was professional, but the cost left me wondering if the value aligns with what it used to be. I still want to support businesses that have served the community for so long, and I hope they continue to provide honest, dependable service at a price that feels fair in the current market.quotes-image
, 12/10/2025
reviewicon