How To Know if the Compressor Is Going Bad on Your Jeep

Having air conditioning (AC) in your Jeep is a luxury one can’t afford to lose, especially in the hot summer months. When your AC is working correctly, you probably take it for granted, but when you begin to notice warm air coming from the vents when the AC is running, you will soon realize that something is wrong. There are several signs or symptoms to note when diagnosing a bad AC compressor. Let’s explore how your Jeep’s AC compressor works, the symptoms, and what you should look for when you suspect that your AC compressor is going bad.

How Your Jeep’s Air Conditioning System Works

Air conditioning in cars is a system that allows you to lower the temperature in your vehicle’s interior, keeping you and your passengers comfortable as you drive from place to place. Several components work together to achieve AC in your Jeep. These components are:

Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the fluid used in an AC system responsible for cooling the air circulating as the AC runs. This fluid must have specific characteristics that allow it to phase from a gas to a liquid and back to a gas again. Refrigerant is cycled through the system, continually repeating the process.

Compressor

The compressor is the powered unit of the AC system that pressurizes and heats the refrigerant (in gas form) received from the evaporator. Then, the compressor sends the pressurized refrigerant to the condenser.

Condenser

When the refrigerant passes through the condenser, the condenser becomes hot. The heat from the refrigerant and the condenser is transferred to the cool air forced into it by your Jeep’s cooling fans and forward motion. At the end of the condenser, the refrigerant passes through an evaporation valve, cooling it to the point of transforming back into a liquid.

Evaporator

The rapidly cooled refrigerant from the condenser enters the evaporator, where the AC system’s blower fan forces warm air over the evaporator. The evaporator is held under low pressure to lower the boiling point. The cooled refrigerant then absorbs the heat from the air passing over the evaporator, begins to boil, evaporates, and returns to a somewhat cool gas. The warmer air that the blower fan has forced over the evaporator enters the cabin of your Jeep as cool air or AC.

Diagnosing a bad AC compressor isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You can identify symptoms that will give you clues that your AC compressor is failing or has gone bad. Knowing what to look for when your compressor is going bad can help you save time and money, so let’s take a look at the most common signs of a bad AC compressor.

Higher Cabin Temperatures

One of the most telling signs of a bad AC compressor is warm or hot air coming from your Jeep’s vents when the AC is on full blast and has been running for a few minutes. If your compressor isn’t working correctly or has completely failed, the refrigerant won’t circulate through the AC system to cool the air, resulting in hot air blowing out of the vents. This process may be gradual as the compressor slowly dies or sudden, depending on how your compressor goes out.

AC Compressor Making Loud Noises

Your Jeep’s AC system does make some noise when activated, and these normal noises are just a notification that the system is working correctly. But when you turn on your AC and hear unfamiliar noises, this can be a sign that your compressor is beginning to fail. AC compressors rely on a sealed bearing and many internal components.

When any of these become worn or damaged, the efficiency of the compressor will be drastically reduced, making it difficult for the compressor to run. These noises are signs of a more serious issue, and you will need to have your compressor checked and replaced. Our service department at Bill Volz Westchester in Cortlandt, New York, can help you diagnose a bad compressor and skillfully remedy the situation, quickly getting you back on the road in the comfort of AC.

Fluid Leaks

Refrigerant leaks are a significant concern for the environment. The most common type of refrigerant is Freon, and it is proven to harm the atmosphere’s ozone layer when allowed to escape and evaporate. These leaks can occur at connection points along the AC lines or through the compressor when the compressor’s internal bearings begin to wear or become damaged. An AC compressor will go bad when run without sufficient refrigerant, so leaks need to be addressed immediately when they are detected.

A Seized Compressor Clutch

AC compressors are run directly from the power of your Jeep’s engine via a belt system. To control whether the AC is on or off, the AC compressor operates via an AC compressor clutch. The clutch allows the compressor to disengage when the AC controls are turned off.

There are two ways that a compressor clutch can become seized or stuck. First, it can be stuck in the on position so that the compressor continually runs, causing early damage to the AC components due to excessive use. Second, it can be stuck in the off position, not allowing the AC system to work at all.

Consult your Jeep’s owner’s manual for information regarding the location of your compressor clutch, and you can check to see if it is spinning when the AC is on or off. You may be able to have the clutch replaced but you will probably need to replace the entire compressor.

Squealing or Skipping Belt

When you engage the AC compressor by turning the AC system on, it causes more tension to be placed on your Jeep’s drive belt. If the compressor is beginning to go out or has gone bad, it may cause your drive belt to jump, skip, or squeal as the belt won’t turn properly with the defective compressor.

Other signs of a bad compressor can be in the form of blown fuses or relays. If you feel that your Jeep may be experiencing AC problems, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit Bill Volz Westchester for help. Our trained technicians can diagnose and correct all AC-related issues, keeping you cool and comfortable during the summer months in Cortlandt.

 

 

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