Q & A #27 With The Auto Specialist
Q & A #27 With The Auto Specialist
If you’re a regular reader, thanks for rejoining us for this installment of the Auto Specialist. If you’re reading for the first time, welcome. In this recurring column, we take a close look at two or three car problems and help readers figure out the root source. There’s no way I can guarantee that my diagnosis is correct because I’m not actually inspecting the vehicle. That said, we usually get pretty close.
In today’s column, we’ll help Jonathan resolve his air conditioning troubles. We’ll also help Ben with a problem he’s having while trying to crank the engine in his Prelude. By the way, thanks to everyone who has written in with their car questions. I promise we’ll get to them soon. Let’s get started.
Question: I bought a 2007 Hyundai Sonata when it was new and the engine currently has a little under 22,000 miles on it. The problem is with my A/C. It’s blowing warm air. I took it to a local mechanic and the guy said my A/C isn’t working because of a leak. But, he couldn’t explain how a leak had developed in a relatively new car. Other than this, the car runs beautifully. I’ve never had a problem. But, I live in Texas and the heat is already killing me. Should I just have the mechanic fix the leak or is something else causing the air to be warm?
Answer: Thanks for your question, Jonathan. The problem with air conditioning leaks is that they can be caused by a number of things. For example, one of the hoses could have ruptured or the evaporator core might be leaking. It can also be a compressor or seal. Here’s what I’d do. Drive to the dealership and ask them to run a dye through the system. They’ll have the equipment to see the dye leaking from the affected area and can fix it quickly. The good news is that your Sonata is still under its warranty. So, you won’t have to pay for the repairs.
Question: I drive a 2000 Honda Prelude with the mileage at 117,500. It’s a great car… when it’s running. The thing is, I’ve been having trouble starting it for the past three weeks. When I turn the key, nothing happens. The lights in the cabin don’t come on, the power windows won’t work, and my radio is dead. My roommate has been jump-starting it for me and it’ll run fine for the rest of the day. But, by the next morning, it’s dead again. Does that ring any bells for you? Do you know why my car is not starting?
Answer: Thanks for writing, Ben. I’m guessing the problem is with your charging system. I suggest load testing your battery first since it’s the easiest step. If it load tests fine, check for a drain. You can do that by taking the negative cable off the post and attaching a 12-volt tester to the post and the detached cable. If the tester doesn’t light up, your battery is probably fine. In that case, check the amperage of your alternator. Hope that helps.
Thanks to both Jonathan and Ben for writing in and letting us help with their car problems. Next time, we’ll help a reader named Jesse figure out why his Ford truck is acting like a bronco (it’s jerking on the road). We’ll also take a look under the hood of Steven’s Chevy Lumina to resolve a persistent starter problem. Until then, drive safely.
