A/C repair

[Thomas S]

Hi, New guy here can someone recommend some books/repair manuals to learn how to charge and trouble shoot automotive A/C Thanks.

 

[Ruger_556]

Whatever you do, be very careful reading the A/C threads on this forum... There are only a handful of knowledgeable people on that topic that post regularly, most people on here that respond have no idea what they are talking about and give advice that ranges from foolish to illegal.

The best way to learn is get yourself into an OEM training class somehow. Once you understand the principles of refrigeration and automotive electronics air conditioning is easy. If you don't quite fully grasp either of those things you'll struggle...

 

[Davefr]

Start by learning the theory. The two bibles are:

Modern Refrigeration and A/C
Refrigeration and A/C Technology

 

[bw77]

You can learn a lot from youtube videos. Some examples:

and many others

 

[Falcon67]

Free online

http://www.ariazone.com/manuals/Automotive Air Conditioning Training Manual.pdf

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

You can also find lots of good info here: http://www.autoacforum.com/

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Or just go get a job working for a contractor,and start at the bottom.
Like most of us did.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Of course the same could be said for advise given on pretty much anything on the internet,or a neighbor/drunk uncle.........

 

[gaetano]

Thank you all for the help. I have a lot of reading to do.

 

[Falcon67]

Or just go get a job working for a contractor,and start at the bottom.
Like most of us did.

He said auto, not residential LOL

 

[Trey T]

watch youtube on installing minisplit ... the technical steps will help you understand the best methods to charge/evacuate a refrigerant system, regardless of auto or home system.

For troubleshooting other stuff, you'll just have to randomly google the issue on a need basis.

If you want to take a class, there are more training classes for home system than automotive, which is still very valuable for application on auto ... the main thing you'll be learning is about "refrigeration process".

 

[Fixin'Stuff]

Free online

http://www.ariazone.com/manuals/Automotive Air Conditioning Training Manual.pdf

Interesting manual. It would be FAR better if they had let someone that can actually write and spell create it. I find myself going back and re-reading many sections to try to figure out what the writer meant to say, rather than what the incoherent sentences that are there actually say.

 

[Git]

EPATEST.com has free study material and you can actually take the test (open book) for the 609 certification for $20

https://www.epatest.com/software/

 

[Junkman]

If you are working on a 1960's or 1970's vehicle, the best manuals are the service manuals by the auto manufacturer. If you are working on an automatic temperature control car, from 1967 or so, up till the mid 1980's, they are a disaster to figure out without the OEM test tools. Once you get into modern cars, all bets are off, since they are extremely complicated on the electronics side. Basic refrigeration principles are almost the same through the years, with a few exceptions.

 

[dlwilson]

There is a book called Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic, by Rob Siegal. I really like it, he talks about fixing cars but also his philosophy. Sort of like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but without the preaching.

Anyway, there is a chapter on automotive AC repair which is very helpful. He happens to have the identical Suburban as I do, with front and rear AC, and with his book I was able to diagnose a bad compressor, flush the whole system, replace compressor and orifice tube, evacuate, and charge the system.

 

[slow]

http://www.autoacforum.com/
http://acsource.net/acforum/

both decent forums.

What kind of vehicles are you having issues with?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

He said auto, not residential LOL

We get plenty of heating and cooling answers on here that make my head spin also,just saying stupidity/insanity have no bounds either way.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

He said auto, not residential LOL

For some reason ruger556 post was the 1st one I saw originally when I posted.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

EPATEST.com has free study material and you can actually take the test (open book) for the 609 certification for $20

https://www.epatest.com/software/

That's great for existing techs looking to get certified, but those classes only teach refrigerant handling. They offer next to no training on service and troublshooting procedures.

The previously mentioned books are a good primer.

Tommy

 

[gaetano]

Again thanks I don't have a problem with the A/C .But would like to be able to recharge the system using proper gauges and trouble shoot.

 

[slow]

The first thing you will learn about automotive ac is you cannot charge by pressure and be accurate.

 

[Falcon67]

For some reason ruger556 post was the 1st one I saw originally when I posted.

Weirdness abounds.