How to Fix a Car Air Conditioning Compressor That's Not Working?
4 Answers
If the car air conditioning compressor is not working, the compressor must be replaced promptly; otherwise, the car air conditioning system will fail to provide cooling. A non-functional car AC compressor may result from the following reasons: 1. Insufficient refrigerant: Terms like refrigerant, coolant, Freon, or 'snow seed' commonly refer to the air conditioning refrigerant. Solution: Replenish the AC refrigerant. 2. Improper tension of the car AC belt: An overly tight belt can directly cause the compressor to seize and stop operating; a loose belt leads to slipping in power transmission, resulting in intermittent cooling and reduced efficiency. Solution: Adjust the belt tension. 3. Electrical system issues: Short circuits or open circuits disrupt the power delivery path, preventing the electromagnetic clutch from properly controlling the compressor's operation.
Last time I was on the highway, the AC suddenly quit and it was miserable. If the compressor isn't running, don't panic—it's probably a blown fuse or a bad relay in that little box under the steering wheel. If the compressor doesn't even hum, the control circuit might be faulty, like a bad temperature sensor sending wrong signals. If the belt is loose and slipping, you'll hear a squealing noise when you turn on the AC. You can check the fuse box yourself for any blackened fuses, but if the compressor clutch coil is bad, you'll need a repair shop. Oh, and for older cars, the most common issue is refrigerant leakage—if the pressure is too low, the compressor won't start at all. Check the AC vents for oil stains to see if there's a leak.
Our repair shop often encounters cars with non-functioning compressors. First, pop the hood and listen for sounds: Is there a clicking noise from the engine compartment when you press the AC switch? No sound usually indicates an electrical issue, such as a blown fuse or burnt relay contacts. If you hear the engagement sound but the compressor doesn't turn, it might be a short circuit in the clutch coil. A loose belt will emit a burnt rubber smell—if you can press the middle of the belt down more than 1 cm, it's too loose. We recommend plugging in a diagnostic scanner to read the trouble codes. Nowadays, many cars will log AC pressure error codes like P0530 when the compressor fails, which can save a lot of troubleshooting time.
It's a bit difficult for us girls to handle this on our own. The worst-case scenario when the compressor isn't working is running out of refrigerant, and you might notice a sweet smell when you turn on the AC. There are only two things you can check yourself: see if the air conditioning pressure gauge needle is in the blue zone (below the warning line, the compressor will lock up), and make sure the blower is blowing air normally. If this happens while driving in summer, turn off the AC button immediately—forcing it to run for a long time can burn out the compressor piston. Actually, a money-saving maintenance tip is to run the AC for ten minutes during seasonal changes each year, which helps prevent rubber seals from aging and leaking refrigerant.
