Ac & Heating SERVICE
20% off Labor Charges (max $50 discount)
(not valid with any other offer)
Auto AC & Heating Service — Since 1999
Wayne's Auto Repair has been keeping central Ohio drivers comfortable since 1999. Whether your car AC isn't blowing cold in July or your heater is blowing cold air in February, our ASE-certified technicians handle the full range of auto AC repair and heating system service — with up-front pricing and same-day diagnostics when we can. Searching for a car AC repair shop near you? You've found one.
We cover every part of your vehicle's climate system in-house: AC recharge and refrigerant service, compressors, condensers, evaporators, blower motors, heater cores, thermostats, climate-control modules, and full HVAC diagnostics. AC and heating problems almost always trace back to one of a handful of root causes — we run the proper tests to find which one before we quote any work.
Find Wayne's at three convenient locations across central Ohio: Columbus, Westerville, and Powell. All three shops are part of the Alpha Automotive family — a network of trusted Ohio repair shops backed by decades of community service.
Signs You Need AC or Heating Service
Climate-system problems tend to show up at the worst times — the first hot day of summer, the first cold morning of fall. Catching them early is cheaper than waiting and easier on you and your passengers. Bring it in if you notice any of these:
- AC is blowing warm air or only mildly cool air on a hot day
- Heater is blowing cold air or only lukewarm air in cold weather
- Airflow from the vents is weak or uneven, even at full blower speed
- Strange smells from the vents — musty, sweet, or burning
- AC compressor making unusual sounds (squealing, clicking, grinding)
- Visible refrigerant leak or oily residue near the AC components
- Defroster won't clear the windshield in the cold or doesn't keep up in the rain
- Temperature changes when stopped at a light vs. driving
- AC light flashing on the dashboard
- Foggy windows from the inside, even with the defroster running (possible heater-core leak)
- Sweet smell of coolant inside the cabin (also a possible heater-core leak)
Why Drivers Choose Wayne's for AC & Heating Service
- ASE-certified technicians at every shop. Our mechanics are trained, tested, and re-certified on the work they do.
- Up-front pricing. You get a clear estimate before any work begins. No surprises. No upsells you didn't ask for.
- Diagnose before we recharge. If your AC is low on refrigerant, there's a reason. We find the leak before we recharge — otherwise you're back in our bay in three months.
- Full HVAC system coverage. AC, heating, defroster, blower motors, climate controls, heater cores, refrigerant service — the whole climate-system picture in one shop.
- Locally owned since 1999. Wayne's was founded in central Ohio by Wayne Little. Still part of the community.
- Part of the Alpha Automotive family. Backed by a network of trusted Ohio repair shops — Complete Brake Service, Ernie's Automotive, Petty's Auto & Electric, and Hilliard Auto Repair.
- Three convenient locations. Columbus, Westerville, and Powell — choose whichever fits your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my car AC or heater needs service?
The most common signs are AC blowing warm air, heater blowing cold air, weak airflow, strange smells from the vents, AC compressor noises, refrigerant leaks, or a defroster that won't keep up. Any one of those is worth a diagnostic. Climate-system problems rarely fix themselves, and the right time to fix the AC is before the first 90-degree day.
Why is my car AC blowing warm air?
The most common reasons are low refrigerant (usually from a leak), a failing compressor, a clogged condenser, a bad expansion valve, or an electrical issue with the AC clutch or controls. Low refrigerant is the most common — but recharging without fixing the leak is a short-term solution. We diagnose the cause first, then recommend the fix.
Why is my heater blowing cold air?
Most heater problems trace to one of four causes: low coolant level, a stuck-open or stuck-closed thermostat, a clogged heater core, or a failing blend door (the flap that directs air through the heater core). A simple coolant check is often the first step. We'll diagnose which one and walk you through the fix.
How often should I recharge my AC?
A properly working AC system shouldn't need regular recharges — refrigerant is sealed and doesn't get used up like fuel. If your AC is low on refrigerant, there's a leak somewhere. We find and fix the leak first; the recharge is part of completing the repair, not a routine service.
What's involved in an AC recharge?
A proper AC recharge includes leak detection, evacuating the old refrigerant, replacing any failed components, vacuum-testing the system, refilling with the correct refrigerant and oil to manufacturer specifications, and verifying performance with gauges and vent temperature. The cheap "stop-leak" cans at the parts store don't do any of that and often cause more problems than they solve.
Why does my car AC smell bad?
A musty or moldy smell usually means bacteria or mildew on the evaporator core, often remedied with an AC system cleaning. A sweet smell points to a heater-core leak. A burning smell can be electrical — a struggling blower motor or compressor. Bring it in and we'll find the source.
Can you fix or replace a heater core?
Yes. Heater-core replacement is a labor-intensive job on most modern vehicles because the core sits behind the dashboard, but it's well within what we do. If you're seeing coolant on the front passenger floorboard, fogged windows that won't clear, or smelling sweet coolant inside the cabin, bring it in — those are the classic heater-core symptoms.
How long does AC or heating service take?
A diagnostic typically takes 1 to 2 hours. AC recharges with leak repair run 2 to 4 hours. Compressor or condenser replacement is usually a half-day. Heater-core replacement can take a full day or more depending on the vehicle. We'll give you a clear time estimate up-front when we quote the work.
Do I need an appointment for AC or heating service?
Appointments help us schedule diagnostic and repair time efficiently — request one online or call the shop nearest you. AC season and the first cold snap both bring a rush, so book early when you can.
Serving Northeast Columbus & Surrounding Areas
Wayne's Auto Repair has served Columbus and the surrounding northeast Columbus communities since 1999.
From our shop at 2375 Schrock Road — just off the I-71 and SR-161 interchange — we serve drivers across Columbus, Westerville, Worthington, Gahanna, New Albany, and Reynoldsburg, plus the broader northeast Columbus metro. We regularly see customers from ZIP codes 43229, 43081, 43082, 43085, 43054, 43230, and 43068.
Wayne's Auto Repair — Columbus
2375 Schrock Road
Columbus, OH 43229
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Just off Schrock Road, minutes from the Polaris and Easton corridors. Easy access from I-71 (Exit 119, Morse Road) and SR-161 — convenient for commuters heading into downtown Columbus or out to the northern suburbs.
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