Why Is My AC Light Blinking?
That AC light blinking on your dashboard may not cause your immediate problems, but it’s worth finding out what the issue is. To prevent complete air conditioning failure or other costly issues down the line, take a few minutes to run through our car air conditioning troubleshooting checklist – and keep your cool!
Air Conditioning Sensor - What Does It Do?
A blinking AC light is almost always triggered by an electronic sensor that is dedicated to monitoring your car or truck’s air conditioning system. There are many complex systems in the modern vehicle and most of the computerized functionality is reflected on your dashboard via these sorts of lights. If your AC sensor pots a problem, it triggers a blinking light to let you know that it needs attention.
The most obvious signs of a faulty air conditioning sensor or system are:
· Air is blowing but it’s not cold
· No air is blowing at all
· Having the AC on impacts performance
· Having AC on impacts other electrical systems
4 Reasons Why Your AC Light Is Blinking
Lack of refrigerant
AC refrigerant keeps your car cool. In most cases, low refrigerant levels will cause a blinking AC light that will keep blinking until your system is completely out of fluid or it is refilled. If you’ve already refilled the system and it continues to blink, you may need to visit Garfield Auto for a closer look.
Bad Blower
The blower motor resistor controls the speed of your blower fan. If this motor loses power or malfunctions, it can disrupt the power supply to other parts of the engine. The telltale sign of a bad blower resistor is with the AC light blinks whenever you speed up. This issue can only be resolved by replacing the blower and other malfunctioning elements associated with it.
Faulty Compressor Clutch
You may only notice a blinking AC light when you start your car. This is usually caused by a bad compressor clutch. At Garfield Auto, we always inspect your engine for exposed wiring around the compressor before replacing the part itself, which can save you money.
Faulty Speed Sensor
This is a big one. A bad speed sensor can also trigger your AC light but blink in a very unique pattern. The AC fan is influenced by the speed of your car; when the speed sensor fails to send signals to other electrical components, it can cause an array of problems, including severely lowering your fuel efficiency.
Air Conditioning Repairs at Garfield Auto Service Center
Traverse City has relied on Garfield Auto for AC repairs, car tune-ups, and everything they need to stay on the road. Trust your daily driver or your dream car to the automotive experts at Garfield Auto. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.