What is the Average Cost of Car Air Conditioning Repair?
Average Cost of Car Air Conditioning Repair
If your car’s air conditioning isn’t blasting cool air, you should definitely make an appointment to have it checked out. It could be a sign of a major AC issue that’s going to end up costing you an arm and a leg! Luckily, many car air conditioner issues are easier to fix than you might think. Some are even affordable when compared to the cost of replacing an entire system!
Depending on the cause of your car’s AC issues, the repair costs will vary. It could be something as simple as needing a refrigerant top-up or as complicated as a compressor replacement.
A mechanic will first need to conduct a diagnostic test, which usually runs between $150-$200. This will allow them to determine the cause of your problem and find out if you need any major repairs done.
One of the most common car AC problems is a faulty compressor. The compressor is a key part of the air conditioning repair system and you will know it has gone bad when the air conditioner stops making cold air. The compressor is responsible for compressing the low-pressure refrigerant to turn it into a high-pressure refrigerant that can be used by your air conditioner. If you have a broken compressor, it will likely cost between $400-$1,000 to replace.
What is the Average Cost of Car Air Conditioning Repair?
Another expensive problem that car owners might run into is a clogged cabin air filter or a refrigerant leak. A clogged cabin air filter can prevent the air conditioning from producing cold air, and it can also cause other parts of your air conditioning to go wrong. Replacing a clogged cabin air filter is a fairly easy and affordable repair, but a refrigerant leak can be more costly and will require the assistance of a professional to locate the leak and repair it.
The next most expensive AC issue is a failing evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is responsible for turning the refrigerant into a cool air, and it’s also where your air conditioner will distribute the cooled air throughout your vehicle. If your evaporator coil is broken, it will make warm air blow out of your vents, and you will need to pay between $375-$500 for a new one plus labor fees to install it.
A failing compressor is the most expensive AC repair, but there are other issues that can be equally as frustrating and expensive. Some of these include issues with the evaporator coil, a bad pressure switch or a faulty drive belt. If you need to replace these components, expect the repair cost to run between $1,000-$4,000 depending on the specific make and model of your car. To avoid these expensive AC issues, it’s best to perform a routine maintenance service on your car every 10,000 miles to ensure all the important components are working well. It’s also a good idea to check out local auto repair shops and dealerships online to see what they charge for these services. You can then choose the one that’s right for you!