How to diagnose and fix an air conditioner compressor fault. How can you tell if your air conditioner is failing? What is an air conditioning compressor? Principle of operation for an air conditioner compressor …..
The heart of the cooling systems is the compressor. The crank pulley of an engine drives the compressor. It is controlled by a belt. It presses down on the refrigerant in the air conditioning system. They can overheat if they are working too hard. The compressor needs only a few ounces lubricant in order to keep its parts moving. If the compressor loses oil from a leak or becomes heavily contaminated, it is at the end of its life.
Leakage is the most frequent sign of a compressor failing. Leakage is the most common sign of compressor failure. The drive belt will make a loud hum when the magnetic clutch engages. The belt may have already worn out or been pulled off by the pulley.
Compressor failure can be caused by oil leaks, which is the most common. Any failure in the system can allow oil and gas to escape. Leak points include hoses, pipe connections (O rings and flange gaskets), the evaporator and condenser, and compressor packing. To locate and fix the leak, an electronic leak detector or paint is recommended.
The compressor oil can be lost if there is a blockage in the air conditioning system. Oil circulates in the system with the gas. The compressor may fail if the expansion valve or orifice tube is blocked.
A compressor may need to be changed even if it’s still spinning. The compressor may be making too much noise, which means it has made air. You will need to vacuum the air and then add refrigerant. The compressor may be faulty if it makes metallic noises or produces bearing noises.
If the compressor leaks from the inside, or fails to produce enough pressure due faulty reed vales, worn piston rings, or worn or scratched cylindricals, a new compressor may be needed. An internal problem in a compressor will prevent it from operating at normal temperatures even with full refrigerant. You can diagnose this problem with a climate monitor.
Air conditioners that do not cool are not just due to compressor failure. The system may be affected by a lack of refrigerant or excessive oil. factors may cause insufficient cooling. Never replace your compressor without looking at other options.
The operation of the compressor in vehicles equipped with automatic temperature control systems may be affected by these sensors. A “compressor pressure sensor” is an electronic device that monitors refrigerant pressure. It turns off the compressor when the pressure gets too high. A “compressor temp sensor” shuts down the compressor if it is overheated and a sensor that monitors belt slippage. (For example Mitsubishi)
Clutch issues for A/C Compressors
A magnetic clutch drives the compressor by turning the crank shaft. The magnetic clutch creates a magnetic field by passing current through the winding when the compressor button is pressed. This area pulls the clutch plate, which is splined at the compressor shaft, and attaches it to the belt pulley. You can adjust the distance between the clutch plate (and the belt pulley) by using washers.
Make sure that the magnetic clutch is engaged if the compressor isn’t turning. Faulty relays, faulty wiring, or clutch failure could be the main problem.
Air conditioning systems often have a low pressure cutoff switch. This switches prevents the compressor clutches from engaging if the pressure is too low. This switch is intended to protect the compressor against damage in the case of a leak. If the clutch doesn’t engage, you should check the system pressure as well as the cut-off switch.
A poor clutch air gap can cause the clutch to slip and even burn. The clutch should have the right properties. Most clutches with thrust of between 0.015 and 0.40 inches will work.
A compressor can fail due to a manufacturing defect. 75 compressors returned under warranty that were defective were examined by the manufacturer. Two of the 75 compressors that were defective and returned under warranty were inspected by a manufacturer. Some others failed due to lack of oil, air leaking, contaminants, or assembly errors. Compressor malfunctions can be caused by the use of unapproved cleaners, compressor oils, and refrigerants. Recurrent compressor failures are often caused by debris from an earlier compressor failure.
For compressors, always use the recommended lubricant. This is especially true for scroll and rotary compressors.
It is essential that the old oil be removed completely before you put new oil into the system. This helps prevent contamination and lowers the chance of the system being overcharged with too much oil, which can lead to cooling problems.
After repair, wash your air conditioner compressor
Metal debris can build up in the air conditioner system when a compressor breaks down. These debris can clog the air conditioner pipes, causing inefficient cooling. Spills can cause blockages in the expansion orifice tubes. It can cause compressor failure if it is not removed.
After compressor repairs, it is a good idea to flush the hoses. It is also recommended that you flush the capacitor. However, in most cases of capacitors, you can replace the old one with a newer one to eliminate these substances. While older serpentine-style tubes and finned caps can be cleaned easily, parallel flow capacitors are difficult to clean. The capacitor should be replaced in such cases. Although it is costly, the new compressor will not be cheap if there is any residual sludge.
Install a filter next to the condenser for any debris left. This will stop any residue from getting into the tube. Install a filter screen at the compressor outlet to protect it from dirt and other contaminants.
Flushing is also done to get rid of any remaining oil. It is not possible to know how much oil has been leaking from the system. Washing is the best way to remove all oils. The exact amount of oil specified by the vehicle manufacturer can then be added to the system.
What happens if the compressor oil is not enough or too low? A lack of oil in the system can reduce compressor lubrication which can lead premature failure. Excessive oil can lead to water accumulating in the condenser, which will reduce cooling performance.
Filling of Gas and Air Evacuation
After the compressor is installed, the hoses must be reconnected. The vacuum pump should then completely remove all moisture and air from the air conditioning system. The system’s cooling efficiency is affected by the air. The refrigerant oil and moisture react to make acid and sludge. The expansion valve can become clogged by moisture, which can cause noise, restriction, or complete blockage.
To remove moisture and air, a pump that can provide high vacuum should be used. Vacuum is created when air is drained from the system. This creates a vacuum which causes residual moisture to boil over and evaporate. This is possible because the vacuum pump must be capable of drawing at least 29 inches (normally takes around 30 minutes) of Hg during the evacuation process.
Thermistor Vacuum meters are a great way to monitor the process of evacuation. They read in microns. Because of the possibility of moisture remaining in the system boiling, vacuum measurement must be sensitive.
Finally, the system has been filled with the correct amount of compressor oil. To ensure that everything is operating properly, the compressor oil is added to the system.
