How do I check that the air conditioning system is working when I buy a second hand car?
A. As with the vehicle itself, first check the service records and any available receipts. If the vehicle is more than two years old it should have had the air-conditioning system serviced. Start the engine turn the heater setting to the coldest setting and maximum fan blower speed. The air from the heater vents should be almost freezing cold within a minute or so. Also, you should be able to hear slight rise and fall in engine tone as the compressor clutch clicks in and out. In addition, most air conditioning systems have fans that are sited in front of the radiator and can been viewed through the vehicles front grill. These should also be turning. These are separate to the engine cooling fan that typically sits behind the radiator and can be seen by lifting the bonnet.
