AE AE & AC (08) 9249 8619

Car Air Conditioning Repairs in Malaga

Air conditioning is the other half of the name. In a Perth summer it stops being a comfort item, and a system that is not cooling almost always has a findable reason.

Malaga workshop Mon–Fri 8:00am–5:00pm Sat 8:00am–12:00pm Auto electrical, AC & mechanical in-house

Why your AC is not cooling

Low refrigerant is the most common cause, and it matters that refrigerant does not get "used up". An air conditioning system is sealed. If it is low, it has leaked, and the leak is the actual fault. Topping it up without finding the leak means paying for the same job again next summer.

  • Refrigerant loss through a leak — the most common cause by a wide margin.
  • A failing compressor, or a compressor clutch not engaging.
  • A blocked or damaged condenser — it sits at the front of the car and takes stones, insects and road debris.
  • Electrical faults on the AC circuit — pressure switches, relays, the clutch circuit or a control module.
  • A failed blend door actuator, where the system is cooling but the cold air is not reaching you.
  • A blocked cabin filter — reduced airflow rather than reduced cooling, but it feels the same from the driver's seat.
  • A blocked evaporator drain, which shows up as damp carpet or a musty smell as much as poor cooling.

How we diagnose it

  • Performance test first — vent temperatures and system pressures on both the high and low side, which together indicate where the problem sits.
  • Visual inspection of the condenser, lines, fittings and compressor for oil residue, which is often the first visible sign of a leak.
  • Leak detection where refrigerant is low, using electronic detection and, where needed, UV dye and a nitrogen pressure test.
  • Electrical checks on the clutch circuit, pressure switches and control side — a mechanically sound system that never switches on is an electrical fault, and that is our other specialty.
  • Airflow and control checks — cabin filter, blower, blend door operation and climate control function.

We find the leak before we regas. Refrigerant is a controlled substance and venting it to atmosphere is not acceptable practice. Recharging a known leaking system just puts more of it into the air and leaves you with the same fault.

What we repair

  • Leak detection and repair
  • Compressor replacement and clutch faults
  • Condenser and evaporator replacement
  • Receiver drier and expansion valve replacement
  • Hose, line and fitting repairs
  • Electrical faults on the AC and climate control circuits
  • Blend door actuator and control faults
  • Cabin filter replacement
  • Evaporator drain clearing and odour issues
  • Regassing with R134a and R1234yf

What affects the price

We quote after we have looked at the vehicle, because an honest number needs the actual fault rather than a description of it. What moves the price on this kind of work:

  • Diagnostic time. An obvious fault is quick; an intermittent one that only appears when hot, cold or over a bump takes longer to reproduce and confirm.
  • Part cost for your specific vehicle. This varies enormously between makes — European parts are frequently multiples of the equivalent for a common Japanese model.
  • Access. Some components are behind a dash, a subframe or an engine mount. The part can be cheap and the labour the opposite.
  • Whether the fault has caused secondary damage that also needs addressing.
  • Whether coding or calibration is required after fitting.

You get the number before the work starts, and nothing extra happens without you approving it first.

Vehicles we work on

European, Asian, Australian and American vehicles — passenger cars, 4WDs, utes, vans and light commercials, for private owners and fleets.

If your vehicle needs something we are not equipped for, we will tell you rather than have a go at it. That is not a common outcome, but it is the honest answer when it happens.

Warranty on this work

Workmanship and parts are covered. The specific period depends on the job and on the part supplier's own warranty, so the terms that apply to your repair are set out on your invoice — ask us to walk you through them before you approve the work if you would like it clear up front.

This sits alongside your rights under Australian Consumer Law, which apply regardless of what any warranty document says.

Frequently asked questions

How often should car air conditioning be serviced?

Most manufacturers suggest a full service every couple of years, including a regas, leak check and cabin filter. In Perth's climate an annual performance check is worthwhile because it catches gradual refrigerant loss before you notice it in February.

Why does a car AC system lose refrigerant?

Because it has a leak. The system is sealed, so refrigerant is not consumed in normal use. Common leak points are O-rings and fittings, the condenser at the front of the car, hoses, and the compressor shaft seal. Rubber components also harden with age and heat.

Can an AC system be regassed when it has a leak?

It can be, but it should not be. The refrigerant will escape again, you pay twice, and venting refrigerant is not acceptable practice. We locate and repair the leak first.

My AC blows cold then goes warm — what is that?

Commonly a system icing up because it is low on refrigerant, a compressor clutch cycling in and out, a cooling fan or condenser airflow problem, or an electrical fault on the clutch circuit. It needs pressures read while the fault is happening.

There's a musty smell when I turn the AC on. Why?

Usually moisture and organic growth on the evaporator, often with a blocked evaporator drain, and sometimes just a long-overdue cabin filter. It is a straightforward thing to sort out.

Other services

Areas we service: Malaga · Morley · Ballajura · Wangara · Bayswater · Midland · Guildford · Ellenbrook · Bassendean · Perth and the wider Perth metropolitan area.

Book your vehicle in

Tell us what the vehicle is doing and we will diagnose it properly. You get the price before the work starts.