How Our AC Service Process Works
Getting your car AC repaired at Christian Brothers Automotive Edwardsville follows a clear, three-step process. We start by listening to your concerns, then inspect and diagnose your vehicle using the latest diagnostic technologies. Once we know what’s going on, we walk you through the findings before a single repair begins.
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Backed by the Nice Difference® Warranty
Every AC repair we perform is covered by the Nice Difference® Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs last, honored at any Christian Brothers Automotive location across the country. It travels with you.
Our free Digital Vehicle Inspection puts photos of your vehicle directly in front of you during the service visit. You don’t have to take our word for what we found. You can see it.
How to Know When Your Car AC Needs Attention
Some AC problems announce themselves clearly. Others are easy to dismiss until the system stops working entirely. In Edwardsville’s humid summer climate, that moment tends to arrive at the worst possible time.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Air blowing only slightly cooler than the outside temperature
- Musty or mildew odors coming from the vents
- AC cooling only while the vehicle is moving, not at idle
- Weak airflow even at the highest fan setting
- Water dripping inside the cabin
- A strange smell, visible leak, or air that’s not getting as cool as it should
A refrigerant leak is one of the most common causes of reduced cooling. Recharging without finding and fixing the leak is a temporary fix. Our diagnostic process looks for the underlying cause so the repair can address the problem.
How Your Car’s AC System Works
Your vehicle’s AC system is a closed loop of pressurized refrigerant cycling through several key components. Understanding what each part does helps explain why a small issue in one area can affect the whole system.
The AC compressor pressurizes the refrigerant to start the cooling cycle and is one of the most costly components to replace, which is why catching problems early matters. The condenser, located near the radiator, releases heat from the compressed refrigerant. A blocked or damaged condenser prevents the system from cooling effectively.
The evaporator cools and dehumidifies the air before it enters the cabin. A failing evaporator can cause both weak cooling and musty odors, two of the most common complaints we hear. Hoses, seals, and belts throughout the system can crack or degrade over time, allowing refrigerant to escape gradually.
Unlike fuel, refrigerant doesn’t get consumed with normal use. If your system needs recharging more than once, the refrigerant is escaping somewhere. Routine AC maintenance, including component inspections and refrigerant level checks, can catch these issues before they develop into larger repairs.
FAQs
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Q. "Why won't my A/C blow cold air?"If you notice any fluid under your car it may be due to a leak within your A/C system. However, issues can range from the fan not working properly to needing a recharge. Click here to find out all the potential reasons your vehicle's A/C is not working properly.
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Q. "Can I Recharge A Failing AC Myself?"It is possible if you have the proper knowledge and equipment, however, you may want to turn to a professional to avoid damage to your system. Click here to learn more about the dangers of at-home vehicle A/C recharges.
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Q. "How Does Outside Heat Affect My AC?"The hotter it is outside, the harder the air conditioning in your vehicle has to work. Rising outside temperatures put extra strain on your entire vehicle and its cooling system, from the battery and belts to hoses and fluids, requiring each part to work overtime to keep your vehicle cool. The result of extreme spikes in temperatures may even require you to replace your air filter sooner, along with other various components that ensure your car’s cabin remains comfortable. Click here to learn more about what you can do to protect your car's A/C in the heat.
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Q. "Warning signs my AC needs service?"Warning signs your AC needs maintenance includes a foul odor, noticeable airflow change, change in cooling, and loud noises when AC is on. Click here to learn more about Common Air Conditioning Problems & Solutions.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.