The last thing you need in sweltering summer heat is a broken air conditioner in your vehicle. No reprieve from the temperatures after a day at the office or lunch out can be frustrating, but there are plenty of warning signs that you should be familiar with to prevent this complete system failure. While repairing the air conditioning itself can be difficult, knowing what to look for can save you money in costly replacements and give the professionals a better idea of where the issue is located. Below, you will find a few common auto air conditioner problems and what this could mean for your vehicle.

Smelly Air from the Vents

This is a common complaint among drivers of older vehicles, and it generally indicates that your cabin filter is old or dirty and needs replacing. The other potential cause is a mold-covered evaporator case that can occur when water builds up and can't drain. These are actually both relatively simple fixes and can be completed in your own garage with the right tutorial.

Weak Airflow

Even if the air feels cold, a faint breeze does little to lower high temperatures on a sunny day, but unfortunately this problem has many possible sources.

• Loose Hose: Arguably the easiest issue to fix, the hose that connects your vents to the blower unit has slightly separated and needs to be connected again.
• Mold: Due to the water inside air conditioning units, mold can definitely become an issue over the years. Your evaporator core could have been overcome with mold or mildew, and as a result, there is little room for the cooled air to reach the interior of your car. This part will need replacing or a thorough cleaning if this is happens to be the problem.
• Broken Fan: Another issue that requires a replacement part is a broken ventilation fan; however, you might not feel any air at all if this has occurred in your air conditioning system.

The Air Conditioner Doesn't Get Very Cold

The phrase "wear and tear" most definitely applies to automotive air conditioners, and over time, the cooling ability could decrease. But don't worry, there is always a fix. A lack of cold air could mean that your coolant is leaking from a faulty hose or valve, or that a tube delivering the Freon is clogged. A damaged compressor could also be the culprit. These parts will normally need to be replaced, and you may require the assistance of a professional. Regardless, you will certainly have to open the hood to locate the cause of the problem.

If your air conditioning isn't working at its best, consider contacting an auto air conditioning repair specialist to get it running properly.