Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

How the Air Conditioning System Works in a Car

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Air conditioner

Video tutorial

This video explains how the air conditioning system in a vehicle works, using a disassembled engine. The most important component is undoubtedly the compressor, which draws in gas from one side and pushes it out the other, driven by the rotation of the auxiliary belt.

A common issue is that the electromagnet may not engage, preventing the pulley from becoming one with the compressor; another problem may arise from the solenoid valve that regulates the compressor. The gas is pushed to the external condenser, which cools it using fans and a filter that removes moisture from the system.

It then travels into the vehicle through high-pressure pipes and into the expansion valve, which drops the refrigerant pressure, thus lowering the temperature. The air passes in front of a radiator that directs the airflow towards the vents.

If there is even a small leak in this complex system, the entire system will fail, and recharging the gas will be futile. You must locate the leak.

This can be done by injecting high-pressure nitrogen, and then using a special tool, you will find the leak, which is not easy to locate, as you will need to disassemble the system and analyse the various pressures.


Updated on 15 October 2026 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

How to determine exactly when the car air conditioner needs to be recharged
How to determine exactly when the car air conditioner needs to be recharged
(Various brands) Various In this video, we will see how to determine exactly when to recharge the car's air conditioner, without relying solely on personal feelings, but on f…
How to Set the Automatic Mode on the Air Conditioner
How to Set the Automatic Mode on the Air Conditioner
(Various brands) Various In today's video, you will see how the automatic mode of the home air conditioner works. First, take the remote control and navigate through the vari…
How to Remove the Air Conditioning Condenser
How to Remove the Air Conditioning Condenser
(Various brands) Various Is the condenser in your car damaged? Follow these steps to remove the air conditioning condenser from the engine bay. Lift the front bonnet of the c…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Remove the Rear Seat of a Hyundai Tucson?

To remove the rear seat of a Hyundai Tucson, follow these steps. Start by moving the front seats to their most forward position to gain space. Next, locate the release lever on the underside of the rear seat, near the floor. Press this lever down while pulling the seat upwards to unlock it from the anchor pins. Once unlocked, tilt the seat upwards and forwards to remove it from its position. Repeat this process for both sides of the rear seat. Be careful of any electrical cables or components that may be connected to the seat during removal. Once the rear seat is removed, the disassembly is complete.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos