Why did the compressor lock up, part 2
August 16, 2022
The relay was sticking in the on position and the compressor would not cycle off when the clutch cycling switch turned the power off to it.Read Article >
Why did the compressor lock up?
August 10, 2022
All too often when a compressor lock-up occurs, the compressor itself is blamed for the lock-up. While it is possible for a manufacturing defect to cause a lock-up, there is usually a problem related to the service work or a problem with the system that is the culprit.Read Article >
An expansion valve myth explored
July 26, 2022
I have encountered many tech calls where a technician had replaced an expansion valve because of a problem with an evaporator freezing up and was frustrated because that did not fix the problem.Read Article >
Improving A/C cool down time
July 19, 2022
If there is an issue with an A/C system, then obviously that needs to be fixed and that will aid in cool down time. However, if a system is working properly and a customer is complaining, then the focus needs to shift toward educating the customer on steps they can take to improve cool down time.Read Article >
A/C not cooling fast enough
July 13, 2022
When a vehicle sits outside in direct sunlight, a tremendous amount of heat can build up inside. Even with relatively mild summer ambient temperatures (75° F to 80°F) vehicle interiors can easily reach temperatures of 125° F or more. Consider that this heat is not just in the air inside, but also in the seats, dashboard, floor board, roof, door panels, etc, (essentially the entire inside of the vehicle).Read Article >
Diagnosing Faults on Modern Motor Vehicles
July 8, 2022
Motor vehicles have become increasingly more complex over the last two decades to meet the ever-tightening emissions regulations and increased fuel economy requirements, as well as passenger comfort and safety. This added complexity means technicians are flooded with additional data when diagnosing faults on vehicles. Below is a table outlining the difference between a modern vehicle and a vehicle from 20 years ago. This is only a high-level example to illustrate the differencesRead Article >
It’s still not blowing cold enough
July 6, 2022
This customer came in with this car (he provided the vehicle information) and said it isn't blowing cold enough and wants me to make it blow colder. He just recently bought it and this is the first “hot spell” we’ve had since he’s had it.Read Article >
It isn’t blowing cold enough
June 29, 2022
"It isn't blowing cold enough.” Most any auto repair shop that does A/C work will often hear customers say this phrase. It can be the result of any number of things that can be wrong with an A/C system. Often it is a case of common things such as, a low refrigerant charge, a refrigerant overcharge, contaminated refrigerant, a blend door issue, a cooling fan problem, or maybe a weak compressor.Read Article >
The importance of A/C system oil balancing
June 21, 2022
Sometimes we encounter information where directions instruct us to drain the compressor being removed from a system and measure the amount of oil that drains out. Then the next step is to subtract this number from the number of ounces that are supposed to be in the shipped replacement compressor.Read Article >
OEM oil capacity information
June 7, 2022
If you are installing an OEM replacement compressor in this example then it "should" contain 4.5 ounces of oil but if the compressor is not drained and the oil measured, the amount will not be known for sure. Also, if an aftermarket compressor is being installed, there is no standard that exists in the industry regarding the amount of oil that might be shipped in a replacement compressor. It might have no oil in it, a partial charge, or a full charge or even more than a full charge. To make matters worse, the OEM does not provide the total system capacity for this vehicle.Read Article >
Compressor lubrication tips
May 26, 2022
We will focus on lubrication information that is often encountered and how it can be interpreted incorrectly and result in the incorrect amount of oil being installed in a system.Read Article >
Compressors 101
May 2, 2022
You are invited to attend a compressors 101 class I will be conducting next week at the MACS training facility in Lansdale, PA. The title of the class is Behavioral Characteristics of Various Compressor Types. It is happening live on Wednesday May 11 from 5:30 to 9:00pmRead Article >