Air conditioning is essential in your car on hot and humid days. It's miserable driving without AC, especially in the city with stop-and-go traffic. Plus, it may not be safe to drive in the city with your windows down due to crimes that might occur. If your AC isn't working, take your car to an auto AC repair shop to find out what's wrong and fix the issue. Here are four reasons a car air conditioner malfunctions. 

1. There's A Leak In The System

The refrigerant in your car needs the right amount of pressure to work properly. If there's a leak in a line or part, the air conditioner won't keep you cool. A mechanic can use leak detection equipment to verify there's a leak and then track it down. The repair may involve replacing a bad hose or part in the system.

Once the leak is repaired, the refrigerant may need to be recharged. Your AC needs the right amount of refrigerant to make chilled air because when the pressure is too low, your AC might blow air, but it won't be cool enough to keep you comfortable.

2. The Compressor Is Bad

The compressor is an important part involved in pressurizing the refrigerant. If it fails, your AC won't work. When the compressor clutch starts to go bad, you may hear an odd noise. If your AC starts making unusual noises, take your car to an AC repair shop since using the air conditioning with a bad compressor clutch could harm the compressor. The compressor and clutch are both expensive parts to replace.

3. A Fan Is Blocked Or Broken

Your car's air conditioning system has fans that blow heat away from the refrigerant. If the fans malfunction, the refrigerant can't cool to the proper temperature. The fans are in the condenser that's behind the grille of your car, so it's possible the fans can get dirty or blocked by leaves and bugs. The AC mechanic may need to clean out the fans. If a fan is bad, the fan and motor can be replaced so your AC starts cooling your car properly.

4. The Dryer Is Bad

The dryer in the air conditioning system works with the refrigerant parts to cool your car. It also works to pull moisture from the system. If the dryer is bad, it might make rattling sounds that indicate a problem with your car's AC. In addition, if moisture builds up due to a bad dryer, the air coming from the vents might smell musty like mildew. A bad dryer can be replaced to eliminate this problem.

Contact an auto air conditioning service provider to learn more.