The air conditioning (AC) system in your car is made up of several key components, all working together to create cool air. The heart of the system is the AC compressor—it’s a pump that circulates refrigerant through the AC system, absorbing heat from the cabin and dispelling it outside. If any part of the compressor fails, you’ll need to replace it, which can be pricey—but not as expensive as replacing other parts in your car. If you’re looking for information on how long it takes to replace a car AC compressor, we have good news: it’s relatively straightforward and doesn’t take very much time at all. Read on to find out more.
The time required to replace a car AC compressor depends on several factors.
You might need to get a new AC compressor if your car’s AC is not working. An AC compressor is located in the engine compartment of cars and trucks. It can be found right next to the ignition key and sometimes on a long, horizontal rod that extends from the keyhole. The compressor usually has an outlet hose attached to it, which connects it to the car’s air conditioning system.
The most common type of AC compressor is called a sealed-type motor compressor (sometimes also referred to as a dry-type motor). This type of unit has an enclosure around its motor that prevents water from getting inside and shorting out your unit.
A second type of AC compressor is called a serviceable-type motor compressor . This type can be removed from its housing for servicing or replacement because there are no seals keeping water out of the unit. In addition, this type does not have an enclosure around its motor shaft; consequently, you must use larger gauge wires than with sealed-type compressors when connecting them together in order for them to work correctly (such as connecting 12 gauge wires together with 14 gauge wires). Each of these types requires different tools in order to service or replace them.
If your vehicle’s air conditioning system is completely broken, you’ll need to replace the compressor and replace the refrigerant with freon.
It may seem like a simple procedure since freon is so important to your vehicle’s air conditioning system, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if you’re a certified mechanic, replacing the freon in your car will require special tools and make sure you have an extra pair of hands around as it’s definitely not a “one person” job. On top of all that, you’ll need to evacuate the old refrigerant before recharging the air conditioning system.
The following are some examples of refrigerants that can be used:
- Freon-12 (R-12)
- Freon-22 (R-22)
- Neoflon PFE 1132e aka GENETRON AZ-20
It may be possible to repair certain air conditioning components instead of replacing them, but it’s important to make sure that these components are working properly.
It may be possible to repair certain air conditioning components instead of replacing them, but it’s important to make sure that these components are working properly. Other air conditioning components include the condenser, evaporator, receiver-drier and expansion valve. You’ll need to remove the compressor in order to test these parts. If any of them are faulty, it’s likely that the old compressor will have been damaged as well.
You can use a multimeter to check your car’s relays for continuity and measure their resistance levels. A multimeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical current in various different ways—for example, you can find out how much voltage your battery is giving off by inserting its leads into the battery’s positive and negative posts while testing it with a multimeter set to “Volts AC” or “DC.” You can also measure resistance by connecting each lead on one side of the relay socket with each lead on the other side of the socket (but don’t forget to take off power before you do this). Again, set your device’s switch to “Ohms” if you want accurate measurements from this particular test.
You’ll need to treat any errors in your vehicle’s engine control unit before attempting an AC repair.
Before you begin working on your vehicle’s A/C compressor, you’ll need to make sure there are no engine faults that are causing the A/C system to malfunction. To check for this, simply scan the car’s computer for any DTC error codes.
If an error is found, clear it using your vehicle’s OBD-II scanner and then perform a fuel system reset. You may also have to reset the tire pressure monitoring system or air bag light afterward in order to complete the process.
A car AC compressor replacement can be completed by a skilled DIY mechanic but you may want to get a second opinion before beginning this project.
If you’re a DIY mechanic, this can be a very satisfying project and not an overly complex one. However, if you’re not 100% confident in your ability to complete the job, we recommend that you get a second opinion before beginning.
If you’re going to have it done by a garage, it’s important to check their reputation first. You’ll want to make sure they won’t fool around with your car AC unit without letting you know how long the labor will take and how much it will cost.
A faulty air conditioning system can be caused by other problems aside from a bad compressor.
There are several components of the air conditioning system, and if any one of them isn’t working as it should, you could be in for a sweltering drive. The compressor is just one component that may be at fault in your AC dilemma, so you might want to look into other possibilities too before repairing or replacing it. If your system is leaking refrigerant due to a crack in the evaporator or condenser coil, for example, then this can cause the compressor not to work either. Similarly, there may be an issue with the thermostat which is causing this problem. These other mechanisms shouldn’t take as long to repair as a new compressor would take; however, they are involved processes that will likely require more than just a simple inspection or adjustment. You might have to replace some parts entirely if they’re beyond repair.
Another possibility could be pressure-related; if your air conditioning system has developed too low or high of compression pressure then this can prevent the compressor from working properly. Your mechanic will have access to special diagnostic tools and methods needed to determine whether this is the case—and even if it’s not, they’ll still let you know what exactly needs doing so you can get back on track with making those AC repairs!
Last but not least: check out those relays! Your car’s relay switch connects directly into its ignition coil, sending an electrical signal when turned on — but sometimes these wear down over time and require replacement before anything else works again (like an AC compressor!). Relay checks aren’t too complicated either – all a mechanic needs is some basic knowledge about how relays function within modern automobiles then he/she should be able diagnose their condition without much difficulty at all – plus once diagnosed correctly these replacements do tend not take very long which means getting back up running faster now than ever before…
Replacing your car AC compressor is a job you should probably leave to the pros.
Replacing your car AC compressor is a job you should probably leave to the pros.
There’s good news: in most cases, you don’t have to replace the entire AC system when it breaks down. The problem can often be solved by replacing only one part: the compressor. But because this is not a simple procedure, it’s one that’s best left to an experienced auto mechanic or technician—unless you happen to be one yourself!
