Kia Air Conditioning Maintenance: Keeping Cool in the Heat

When you switch on your AC, you expect it to provide refreshingly cold air. The AC consists of several components, including the compressor, condenser, and receiver-dryer, which can fail due to age or be damaged by wear and tear or accidents. As your Kia dealer, we can fix any AC problem for you. These are some examples of an AC not working that we can repair.

Jammed Compressor Clutch

The compressor is the most important part of your AC, as it pushes air and refrigerant through the system, so the air can be chilled before it blows into your cabin. It switches on and off several times during the process, and it’s controlled by the compressor clutch. If it’s quiet and you listen carefully, you may hear the slight click as the clutch works.

The clutch can wear out as it ages, causing it to jam. If the clutch jams in the on position, the compressor will continue to work and burn itself out. A clutch that jams in the off position prevents the AC from starting, and no air will blow into your cabin. Our technicians will examine the clutch, and we can quickly replace it so the AC will work again.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the gas used in your AC. It converts from a gas to a liquid and then back to a gas during the cooling process. In its liquid state, the refrigerant absorbs water from the air so the air can be chilled. The AC operates under high pressure, and any damage to the system from rust or hard objects thrown up from the surface can cause a refrigerant leak.

If a leak develops, the refrigerant vanishes in contact with the outside air. We test for system leaks using a UV dye that we add to the refrigerant. Our technicians then monitor the refrigerant’s passage through the AC using a UV viewer until they find the leak site. Once the leak is identified, we’ll spell it and refill your refrigerant.

No Airflow

If you switch on the AC and there’s no airflow, this usually means a blockage in one of the vents. Air enters the AC through a vent positioned below the windshield. As time passes, this vent can become clogged with dirt, leaves, and other debris, preventing air from reaching the system. The vents leading into your cabin can also become blocked by debris drawn in with the air.

We’ll check the vents and remove any blockages, and your AC will deliver cold air again. We can also fix issues like blown fuses or broken fan blades, which could also prevent air from blowing into your cabin.

If your AC isn’t working, contact our service department today at Courtesy Kia in Altoona, PA.

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