What does the air conditioner compressor consist of?

Air conditioner is used to clean and fresh air inside the car. It consists of several main parts which include the compressor. When it works normally, a comfortable atmosphere is created in the car interior. But in the event of a malfunction, there is a serious problem that requires an immediate solution.

According to the design of the injection element, compressors are classified into the following types:

• piston
• axial piston
• axial piston with swinging washer
• rotary (blade or lamellar)
• spiral (also called snail)

Device and principle of operation of the automotive air conditioner compressor

Automotive air conditioning compressor is an important assembly which is a pump with an electromagnetic clutch. It is equipped with a metal pulley. The principle of operation of the compressor is simple. When the car motor is running, the pulley turns idle. At the same time freon is not involved. When the driver turns on the air conditioning system, the clutch is magnetized. With its help, torque is transmitted to the pump. When performing such processes, the refrigerant moves inside the system and cools.

Automotive air conditioning compressor is an assembly that is the heart of the air conditioning system. When it is activated, the driver and passengers escape the heat. This ensures good conditions for a comfortable and safe trip.

Air conditioning compressor frequent malfunctions

While the air conditioning system is working, the driver uses it comfortably. But at one point the system fails and no longer cools the air in the car interior. Most often, an unpleasant situation arises due to the failure of the automotive air conditioner compressor. The main faults include:

• blown fuse
• lack of contact on the electromagnetic clutch
• refrigerant leak

If an unusual sound appears when the air conditioner is turned on, this means that the pulley bearing has failed. Such a malfunction must be promptly resolved. In the future it leads to a breakdown of the electromagnetic clutch. To perform the recovery, you should use a special tool for repair of car air conditioners.

Reasons of failures

Why is the air conditioner compressor repair considered to be a very common problem? Because an important part of the climate system often fails due to various reasons. These include bad roads, improper operation of electronics and deterioration of individual components. These are the main causes of compressor malfunctions due to which it is necessary to contact a workshop or conduct a self-repair. In the second case, specific knowledge and skills are needed. If the situation is critical, compressor replacement is required. It must be conducted by professionals.

There are a number of cases when the compressor turns off:

• excessively high or low pressure in the refrigerant circuit (emergency). It is detected by the pressure sensor signal
• no signal from the engine speed sensor
• deactivation of the air conditioner on the control panel
• enabling of the economical mode of the engine
• lowering of the ambient temperature below 3 °C
• the automatic transmission control unit signal (Kickdown mode activation)
• the onboard network drop below 9.5 V (discharged battery)
• high coolant temperature (above 119 °C)
• control signal from the engine control unit
• Control signal from the automatic transmission control unit
• malfunction of the fan on the climate system condenser
• electromagnetic clutch malfunction
• malfunction of the control valve (both mechanical and electromagnetic)

In order to determine the specific cause, it is recommended to use a diagnostic program. For this regard, you can use either the original service diagnostics from the car manufacturer or the usual multi-brand scanner. In the latter case, you should be prepared for the fact that some errors may not be read.

Ways to troubleshoot the air conditioner compressor

Construction and repair of compressors are a question of interest to many car owners. To identify and resolve the problem you need special equipment. You can find it on the website equipment for diagnostics of air conditioners. These test benches are intended for diagnostic activities and washing procedures. With such equipment, the troubleshooting process is greatly simplified.

How to troubleshoot compressor problems? Here are some options:

• if the fuse blows, remove the short circuit and replace the component. After that, you can enjoy a comfortable atmosphere in the car interior
• when the electromagnetic clutch contact is absent on the electromagnetic coupling, the magnet or the whole component is changed
• if the cause of freon leakage and malfunction of the climate system is a worn bearing, it needs to be replaced

You should know the rules for safe operation of the compressor in order to prevent the air conditioner from failure, including timely diagnosis and service. Then installation of the auto conditioner compressor is not required. The climate system will work smoothly for a long time.