In New Braunfels, A/C isn't a luxury feature from May through October — it's a daily necessity for anyone with a commute, a child seat, or a pet in the back. Auto A/C systems combine refrigerant chemistry, mechanical components (compressor, condenser, evaporator), electrical controls, and a half-dozen sensors, and any one of them can take the whole system offline. Frank's Automotive runs the full diagnostic — leak test, pressure check, electrical scan — so you get it fixed once, not "topped off until next month."
What's involved
A typical A/C diagnosis and repair:
- Pressure check on both sides of the system (high and low) with gauges to compare against spec for your vehicle and the ambient temperature
- Leak detection with UV dye and an electronic sniffer — refrigerant doesn't get "used up" in a sealed system; if it's low, there's a leak somewhere
- Compressor function test — clutch engagement, cycling, current draw
- Cabin air filter — often the cause of weak airflow regardless of how cold the refrigerant gets; we check it on every A/C diagnosis
- Evacuation and recharge — pull the system to vacuum, hold to confirm no leak, then recharge with the correct refrigerant type (R-134a or R-1234yf) to factory weight, not "by feel"
If we find a failed component (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator), we quote the repair before doing it.
When to bring it in
Bring it in if you notice:
- Air is warm or only mildly cool at the vents on max
- Reduced airflow even at the highest fan setting (often cabin filter; sometimes blower motor)
- Smell — sweet (refrigerant leak inside the cabin), musty (evaporator mold), or burnt (electrical)
- Cycling rapidly — compressor turns on and off quickly (low refrigerant, often)
- Hissing or fluid under the car after parking
- A/C light flashing or HVAC error code on the dash
Don't keep adding store-bought "stop-leak refrigerant" — that gunk can contaminate the entire system and turn a $200 repair into a $1,500 one. Texas summer heat makes A/C problems worse the longer you wait; the compressor that's struggling in May can fail completely in July.
Why Frank's for AC repair
Our techs are ASE Certified, and we handle refrigerant in compliance with EPA Section 609 — we don't vent it to atmosphere, we recover and recycle. We carry both R-134a and R-1234yf for older and newer vehicles. The repair is covered by our 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty.
Let us look at it before it becomes a roadside problem — A/C diagnosis is usually same-day, recharges are quick, and full repairs (compressor replacement) typically take a day. Request an appointment or call (830) 627-3939.