Common Car AC Compressor Problems That You Need to Be Aware Of

During summer, it becomes extremely hot inside the car, especially if it was parked in the sun for a long time. That is why the car’s AC must be working perfectly to stay cool and comfortable while driving. The compressor is an integral part of the car’s AC system, and any malfunction will considerably affect the AC’s performance. In simple terms, the compressor is responsible for cooling the air that goes out of the vents on the dashboard. The AC has several components that can go bad and affect its performance, but you should know the common problems of the compressor to fix it as soon as possible.

Air Is Cool but Not Cold

When the compressor is not working properly, the air coming out of the vents will not be as cold as you expected. There can be various reasons behind this problem, either the refrigerant level is low, the refrigerant is leaking, or the compressor is damaged or gone bad. If the compressor fails to cool the air, it can’t regulate the refrigerant flow properly in the AC system. The compressor can be fixed, but it will have to be replaced if it has gone completely bad.

No Hot Air Is Being Released Outside the Car

Have you ever stood beside your car while the AC is running? Most probably, you felt heat coming from under the car, and that is what compressors do. They take hot air from inside the car and release it outside to replace it with cool air. A refrigerant leak will cause this problem, as well as a faulty compressor. Feeling no hot air being released outside is an early sign that the compressor has a problem, so check it with your mechanic as it can be fixed if the problem is still in its early stages.

Compressor Clutch Is Not Working

When you turn on the AC, the compressor doesn’t keep working all the time. The part responsible for turning the compressor on and off when needed is the clutch; it connects and disconnects the compressor from the engine power. If you don’t know how to test an AC compressor clutch coil, it is best to go to a mechanic to look at it. The good news is that if the clutch isn’t working properly, it can be replaced without replacing the whole compressor. However, in some cases, the clutch and the compressor will be faulty, and you will need to replace the compressor.

Loud Noises Under the Hood

It is normal to feel the car produce slightly louder noises when you turn on the AC. However, if the noises become much louder and stranger when the AC gets turned on, then there might be a problem with the compressor. The car AC compressor consists of several components, and a sealed bearing allows it to turn. The loud noises start when any of these components or the sealed bearing fail or break. Changing these parts is not the best solution, as they may break again; it is better to change the whole compressor.

Weak Airflow

As discussed before, the compressor lets the cool airflow inside of the car. If you have recently felt that the airflow is getting weaker, it is an early sign that the compressor is going bad. Put your hand in front of the dashboard vents and check if the airflow is like before or is reduced. It might be difficult to notice the difference if you didn’t check the airflow before. The mechanic can tell you if the compressor is not working properly or if there is another problem.

Car AC Compressor Replacement Cost

The compressor is an essential part of any car to make the AC system work seamlessly, and that’s why the cost of replacing it can be quite high. On average, a whole new compressor costs from $800 to $1,200, while the components can range from $650 to $1,000. Keep in mind that you will also add labor costs, around $150-$200. That’s why it is essential to take care of your compressor to avoid any unnecessary costs.

Knowing the common car AC compressor problems allows you to detect them early and fix them timeously to avoid replacing the whole compressor. If you feel the air coming out of the dashboard vent is not cold enough, or the airflow is weak, you should check the compressor at a mechanic. Regularly maintaining your car will reduce the risk that any parts, especially the compressor, will go bad.