

Compressors usually fail because of a leak in the system or a lack of refrigerant. If the refrigerant is not compressed into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas, all other parts of the system will not work properly. AC compressor is failing: Compressor issues are some of the most common failures in air conditioning systems.If your AC stops blowing cold air, it could be a number of possible issues: Your AC may turn on and blow air, but if the air from your vents isn’t as cold as you’d like, it’s not of much use. Symptoms of a bad car air conditionerĪ faulty air conditioner can present itself in multiple ways so, if you notice any of the following problems, your car’s AC could be to blame. Our survey of mechanics resulted in average compressor replacement costs ranging from $1,319 to $2,515 for our sample vehicles. If a customer doesn't have cold AC, this is the first place we look.” We have lines of people coming in when the heat kicks in to get their AC compressors replaced. Although we are known for our cold, it gets very hot and muggy here in the summer. Paul, Minnesota: “Compressors are never an easy cost to swallow. It’s possible for other parts to fail, but the compressor is the single most stressed piece of equipment in the system - and also the most expensive to replace.Īccording to Tom Bonfe, owner of Bonfe's Auto Service & Body Repair in St. The most common individual component that needs replacing in modern car air conditioning systems is the compressor. How much does it cost to replace a car air conditioner?īecause car air conditioning systems have multiple components, it’s rarely necessary to replace the entire system. Average costs for each vehicle averaged between $430 and $521, with most of the cost coming from labor. We talked with mechanics nationwide to get estimates for the cost of recharging the air conditioning systems and inspecting for leaks in our sample vehicles. However, repair costs will vary based on the extent of the work and the parts needed. How much does it cost to repair a car air conditioner?Ĭar AC repair is generally more affordable than replacing components. Air is blown over these supercooled tubes and into the cabin as cool air. Evaporator: Located behind the dash, the evaporator turns the liquid back into a gas in tubes.Expansion valve or orifice: Allows the system to bleed off pressure at a carefully measured rate and quickly lower the temperature.

Dryer: Contains a material (known as a desiccant) that removes water from the refrigerant.Generally mounted near the grille of your vehicle. Condenser: Uses moving air to rapidly cool the high-pressure, high-temperature gas, turning it into a low-pressure liquid.Compresses low-pressure gas into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. Compressor: Functions as a power unit for the system and is attached to the engine via the serpentine belt.To better understand this complicated process, here’s a closer look at each major component in an AC system and how it functions. In a technical sense, air conditioning works by forcing a refrigerant to change from liquid to a gaseous state in a pressurized closed loop.
