Learn why the AC Pro Gauge on your air conditioning unit could be malfunctioning and how to troubleshoot potential causes like low refrigerant level, compressor clutch issues, or even a severe refrigerant leak.
When you turn on the AC in your car, it can sometimes happen that the pressure in the car gets affected for some reason causing the air conditioner to fluctuate.
A number of popular models of cars use the AC Pro gauge, which measures how the car’s AC is working.
But what do you do if the AC Pro Gauge gets stuck or moves randomly? Today, let us discuss the AC Pro Gauge and some of its problems.
Why Does The AC Gauge Fluctuate?
Air conditioning in a car can start fluctuating randomly for many reasons.
Whether it is for a compressor problem or battery issue, the AC Pro Gauge gets affected by the fluctuation in the AC, and you have to keep a lookout for it.
Here are some reasons why it could be fluctuating
1. Problem With The Air Filter
The filter in an air conditioning system is the component that filters out the air of your car with chilled air.
If your car has a dirty air filter, the refrigerant will not be filtered properly and will affect the AC’s performance.
This takes more power to run the AC, and in turn, the gauge starts fluctuating. Sometimes, the pro gauge will get stuck or randomly give a reading.
2. Pressure Gauge problem
Another reason for the AC pro gauge to fluctuate will be when the problem is with the pressure gauge itself.
The manifold gauge is used to measure the power and pressure being used up by the AC in your car.
If there is a technical problem with the gauge, you will notice that the device is either not moving at all or fluctuating more than it normally does.
3. Compressor problem
The AC compressor is a crucial unit of the air conditioning system. When there is a problem with this unit, it will have a direct effect on the gauge of the AC.
The compressor can be damaged due to a refrigerant leak or the wrong type of refrigerant, which can eventually cause severe damage to the AC.
Once the gauge starts fluctuating, you will notice the car’s performance is also being affected as the compressor is taking up more power.
Symptoms Of An Overcharged AC
If the AC in your car is overcharged, there are some obvious signs that you will be able to notice.
The first thing you will hear are strange noises coming from the AC, which can be buzzing, knocking, or rattling.
The sounds result from an overworked compressor, which leads to excess refrigerant being emitted from the AC.
But the sounds are not the only thing you should notice. Here are a few other symptoms which are caused by an overcharged AC:
- Insufficient cooling by the AC is the first sign of an overworked AC. This indicates a lack of space for depressurizing the refrigerant, which can lead to a shutdown of the cooling system.
- If the AC takes up too much power or has more refrigerant, it can affect the engine.
- This leads to a significant decrease in the vehicle’s overall performance as more power is being utilized by one system in the car.
- The AC compressor is the main unit of the system that regulates the functioning of the AC. When the compressor fails, it causes the refrigerant to be used up more or less, and you will notice that the valves of the AC are also failing over time.
Your car may also cause strange sounds for several other reasons, like an engine problem, transmission faults, or worn-out bearings.
So, you have to pinpoint the AC problem before taking it for repairs.
How To Solve The AC Gauge Fluctuation?
The first suggestion for any kind of problem with the AC gauge is to take your car to an AC repair shop.
A professional mechanic can tell you what exactly you need to do for the problem with your air conditioning system.
However, if you are trying to sort out the issues in your AC by yourself, here are a few things you can do about it.
Fix the Coils of the AC
One thing that your mechanic may suggest when you are taking your car with an AC or AC gauge problem is fixing the coils.
The air conditioning system works with the coils that are connected to the power system of the car.
If these coils are worn out or damaged in some way, it will start affecting the fluctuation of the gauge. These need to be replaced for them to work properly.
Replace the air filter
The most common repair option you have for an AC problem is to replace your air filter.
If the air filter gets dirty over time, it will affect the AC gauge and how it works.
It needs to be filtered out regularly to allow the refrigerant to work properly in the car. Start by replacing the problem with the air filter to see if there is a considerable change.
Check the gauge for problems
If the AC gauge has been damaged or is not functioning properly, it can cause fluctuations and wrong readings.
So make sure to check your AC gauge before ruling out the problem.
The AC Pro gauge is usually a rechargeable device that simply has to be connected properly to the AC in your car.
If the device is broken or damaged or gives wrong readings over a long period of time, you need to consider getting a new one.
It could also be possible that loose connections in the wiring are causing the device to display incorrect information and fluctuate a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my AC not have pressure?
If your car’s AC is not creating pressure, it could be due to a few different factors. The most common cause is a refrigerant leak.
This often happens when the rubber seals around the air conditioning system break or get worn down with time.
You should try checking for any visible leaks that are causing the pressure to drop.
Another potential problem could be an issue with the compressor, which might need to be serviced if the refrigerant levels are correct.
Lastly, it could also be debris and dirt buildup in the condenser or evaporator, which might need to be serviced as well.
Is the AC Pro gauge reusable?
The AC Pro gauge is a rechargeable device that can be reused in the car.
The device comes with a charging port that can be used for easy charging with a low-pressure port.
Since it is a digital system, once you charge the gauge, you can use it again.
What are the symptoms of an overcharged AC system?
An overcharged AC system has several symptoms, like strange sounds from the AC and low cooling in the car.
Since these are also indicative of a battery problem, it is essential to get the AC checked by a professional mechanic.
The failure of the AC compressor is the most important symptom of an overcharged AC system.
How do I turn on my AC Pro digital gauge?
To turn on the AC Pro digital gauge in your car, you need to turn on the engine and check if the compressor is on.
Next, find the service port in your car and attach the gauge with the quick-connect cable. Once the gauge is charged, it will automatically show the readings of the AC.
What are the symptoms of an overcharged AC system?
An overcharged AC system has several symptoms, like strange sounds from the AC and low cooling in the car.
Since these are also indicative of a battery problem, it is essential to get the AC checked by a professional mechanic.
The failure of the AC compressor is the most important symptom of an overcharged AC system.
Wrap Up
While driving around in your car the whole day, it can be very difficult to function without a good air conditioning system.
This is why you need to look out for the working of the AC and all its units to ensure that there is no major problem.
Additionally, you should never keep any problem with the AC unchecked, as this can cause a major problem in the long run.
Thank you for reading, and stay chilled in the car!