Glossary / General

black light

9 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

A black light is a UV flashlight that makes the leak dye glow. It helps the mechanic find the exact spot where refrigerant is escaping.

Technical Definition

A black light (UV light) is used to detect fluorescent leak dye in the A/C system. It helps pinpoint the leak location without guessing.

Hear It Discussed

"Danny was in the dark there for a minute and got down, glasses on, looking through with a black light, bottom of the condenser shows green."
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 11, 2026 Hour 1 - The Double Whammy Jeep Air Conditioning Ron Ananian The Car Doctor 11:29

"So, when that leak reoccurs, you can take a black light, find the source of that leak."
Summer To-Do Lists for your car, oil and keep and more! WCCO's Car Care 17:35

"And then the process is, hey, let's use a black light. Let's try to find that fluorescent dye so we can figure out and determine where the leak is."
THE Car Show with Dane Donovan 7/11/2026 The Car Show with Dale and Dane Donovan 21:43