Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Air Conditioner Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The situation described, where an infrared surface thermometer shows cooler areas on the radiator, indicates potential internal restrictions. This is because a properly functioning radiator should have a relatively uniform temperature distribution across its surface, corresponding to the flow of coolant. When areas of the radiator are cooler than others, it can suggest that the coolant is not circulating efficiently throughout the radiator, possibly due to blockages or restrictions within the cooling system.

In contrast, normal operation would typically show a consistent temperature across the radiator. Cooler areas would not be consistent with proper coolant flow, which would distribute heat evenly, nor would it indicate that the radiator is overheating, as overheating would generally be indicated by higher temperatures. Additionally, while coolant could be flowing properly in other parts of the system, the presence of cooler areas specifically points to the likelihood of restrictions or blockages preventing adequate coolant flow through those areas of the radiator. Hence, the interpretation of cooler areas as indicative of potential internal restrictions is appropriate in this context.