Rydell Cars

Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning

Person checking vehicle for inspection

AC Service and Repair

Hot summers and cold winters can take a toll on your vehicle, especially with North Dakota's extreme weather changes. The air conditioning system contains important components of your vehicle that require regular maintenance, much like other systems in your car, truck, or SUV. There are several components in this system that can be susceptible to breaking down throughout the lifespan of your vehicle. You should have your AC system checked periodically by getting routine inspections on your car, truck, or SUV. Our knowledgeable service writers and technicians work hard to make sure you're safe and comfortable in any weather that Grand Forks throws at you.

More Service Topics

Looking for specific information on servicing your vehicle? Each category below has extensive information that may help your search for information.

Signs That Your AC May Not Be Working Properly

  • Low or no airflow
  • Inconsistent temperature
  • Air is cool but does not get cold
  • No cold air coming from vents
  • AC smells like mildew
  • Growling, squealing, or grinding noise when your vehicle’s air conditioner is turned on
  • Engine overheating
  • Water on the floorboards

Air Conditioner Components

AC compressor icon

AC Compressor

Contains refrigerant pump and control valves for AC pressure.

AC condenser icon

Condenser

Helps transfer heat from the passenger compartment to under the hood.

AC radiator fan icon

Radiator Fan

Removes heat from the radiator and condenser.

AC dryer icon

Dryer or Accumulator/Receiver

Responsible for storing refrigerant and removing moisture.

AC blower motor icon

Blower Motor

Moves air through evaporator and heater core.

AC expansion valve icon

Expansion Valve

Controls pressure differentials, which helps the refrigerant reduce heat from the passenger compartment.

AC refrigerant icon

Refrigerant

Substance that can be condensed and vaporized in certain temperatures.

Common Causes for your Air Conditioner to Not Work

Common cause of AC not working: refrigerant leak icon

Refrigerant Leak

The refrigerant is one of the main components used to cool your vehicle. Without adequate refrigerant, your AC is not able to function. The most common causes for a leak would be a ruptured evaporator or a hole in a connection, condenser, hose, or compressor.

Common cause of AC not working: blown fuse icon

Blown Fuse

If your ventilation fuse blows, you will then lose power to your blower motor. The blower motor is what pushes the air through your vents. Without a blower motor, you will lose air circulation.

Common cause of AC not working: bad relay icon

Bad Relay

Like a blown fuse, a bad relay can cause the electrical current to become nonexistent. A bad relay will cause you to lose power to your blower motor, which will cause you to lose air circulation.

Common cause of AC not working: damaged blower motor icon

Damaged Blower Motor

Your blower motor is what is needed to push cool air through your vents. Your blower motor can malfunction due to age and wear and tear. Your blower motor can also be damaged in an accident.

Common cause of AC not working: blocked air intake icon

Blocked Air Intake

There are two areas where air can enter your vehicle: vents below your windshield and the air recirculated from the cab of your vehicle. If one of these intakes becomes blocked, you will notice that your AC is providing you with little to no air. Common causes for a blocked intake could be debris or a dirty or clogged filter. It is important to make sure that these vents are kept clear of debris.

Common cause of AC not working: damaged belts or hoses icon

Damaged Belts or Hoses

Damage and/or a leak in one of the belts or hoses used by the air conditioner will prevent proper airflow from the vents, causing your air conditioner to not work properly.

Common cause of AC not working: blocked or failed condenser icon

Blocked or Failed Condenser

The condenser helps transfer heat from the passenger compartment. It helps the refrigerant go from gas back to its liquid state when it removes the heat. If your condenser becomes blocked or damaged, your AC will no longer be able to push cold air out of your vents into the cabin of the vehicle.

Common cause of AC not working: dirty cabin air filter icon

Dirty Cabin Air Filter

Cabin air filters collect debris, dirt, and moisture. It is important to have a clean air filter in your vehicle, as a dirty filter can cause multiple problems. A few of those issues can range from your AC having an odor when it is turned on to causing your AC to no longer be able to pump out cold air.

Common cause of AC not working: debris in vents icon

Debris in Vents

Debris can get into your air vents, especially if your vehicle is parked outside and not driven often. Dirt and leaves can build up in the vents if not properly maintained. When your air conditioner is turned on, the airflow can cause the debris to move around, causing your air conditioner to make some unpleasant sounds.

Common cause of AC not working: blocked expansion valve icon

Blocked Expansion Valve

A blocked expansion valve can stop your air conditioner from providing you with cold air. The reason you may no longer be receiving cold air out of your air conditioner is because the expansion valve has become blocked and is no longer able to allow the refrigerant to get to the evaporator.

Common cause of AC not working: need for AC recharge icon

Need for Recharge

If your AC has any leaks, it may have a low refrigerant level. A recharge of your air conditioner can help fix this issue. We will first find the cause of the leak and then fix it. The leak will need to be fixed first for us to keep the Freon charge. EPA regulations require that the leak is fixed first before the AC can be recharged. If for some reason your AC system is losing a charge and we cannot find the leak, we will fill up the system with refrigerant and add a fluorescent UV dye. We will then ask you to drive the vehicle for a couple of weeks with the AC system fully charged. Once the AC performance starts to deteriorate, the vehicle will need to come back in to see where the dye/refrigerant is leaking and then we repair the leak and recharge the system a second time.

AC Acting Off?

It Might Be Time to Have Your AC Unit Looked at

If your air conditioner just doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to, is starting to make strange noises, or has a funny smell, then it is time to have your air conditioner looked at. Our highly trained certified technicians would be happy to help diagnose your issue and fix it. Grand Forks can not only get cold in the winter, but it can also get hot in the summer; you should be comfortable while driving in your car or truck with a working AC.

Schedule Service Today