Must-Know Factors of A/C Repair

When you know what you’re dealing with, A/C system repairs after a collision can be as slick as ice.

Jan. 1, 2020

2 min read

While some shops choose to take the time and effort to perform complex repairs on A/C systems, many others prefer to stick to the basics and then outsource the more complicated work. If you keep A/C repairs in-house, you already know they offer profitable opportunities. Even if you send A/C challenges to a local mechanical facility, you and your technicians can benefit significantly by knowing more than just the basics of A/C operations—and if it keeps just a couple of jobs in-house, that’s all to your benefit. For example, on many General Motors (GM) light trucks, the inlet and outlet fittings for the condenser are exactly alike. Because of this, technicians all too often confuse the hoses and connect the system backward. Although the A/C system works, it doesn’t function properly—which is quite a problem when it’s 95 degrees F outside with 99 percent humidity. It’s not unheard of for well-meaning body technicians replacing a condenser in a front-end hit to incorrectly re-connect the fittings, says Paul DeGuiseppi, manager of service training for the Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide. This leaves some unlucky motorists to deal with what appears to be a faulty A/C system and leaves you to deal with a disappointed customer.Unfortunately, mistakes such as this are common when the worlds of collision repair and A/C service collide. And these worlds meet frequently because so many A/C components are nestled in vulnerable positions in the engine compartment and, therefore, become frequent victims of front-end collisions. The following five factors are key to understanding and providing quality A/C care.1 Refrigerants:

About the Author

Angi Semler

Angi is a customer service specialist in a mechanical repair facility in Chicago. After devoting two and a half years to ABRN as an associate and senior associate editor, Angie assumed the role of managing editor. She is ASE-certified in engine repair and electrical/electroinc systems and has received I-CAR training in such areas as advanced vehicle systems; electronics for collision repair; and aluminum repair, replacement and welding. She also holds a Pennsylvania State Inspection License. A summa cum laude journalism graduate of Kent State University, Angi also earned an associate's degree in Automotive Technology--Mechanics and Electronics from Remington Education Center, Vale Campus in Blairsville, PA. For three years, she covered business news for a suburban Cleveland newspaper and served in a production, editing and writing capacity for a western Pennsylvania newspaper.