5 SURE BAD AC COMPRESSOR SYMPTOMS -

This article will show you some of the most common symptoms of a bad AC compressor.

The compressor is the main component of your car’s air conditioning. It’s in charge of pushing refrigerant through the whole system.

So, when it’s not working there’s no air conditioning in the passenger cabin.

This is why it’s important to know this as a driver. If you don’t notice it on time you may suffer a hot and uncomfortable passenger cabin while driving but also cause damage to your car.

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SYMPTOMS OF A BAD AC COMPRESSOR

1. WARM AIR INSTEAD OF COLD COMING OUT OF THE VENTILATION

The first and sure sign of a bad AC compressor is hot air instead of cold coming from the ventilation.

However you set the controls or tamper with the settings, it will be the same.

In the beginning of the problem, the air will be cold-ish almost lukewarm, and it will be as if you have no air conditioning at all.

When you notice this symptom you should at least take a look under the hood and inspect the area around the compressor.

Sometimes it might something else causing the problem, not the compressor.

At this time, you should also check the cabin air filter, just in case. Especially do this if the filter hasn’t been replaced for a long time.

Click here if you want to see how to change the cabin air filter on almost any car.

2. CHIRPING SOUND FROM THE SERPENTINE BELT

If you hear a chirping sound at the same time you notice the warm air problem you might have a bad AC compressor.

Know that this symptom may also be a sign of a bad serpentine belt or some other appliance failing (like the alternator, roller, or else).

The best way to define that the AC compressor is the problem is to take off the serpentine belt and inspect all the pullies and the compressor.

3. A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR

The definitive bad AC compressor symptom regarding sounds is a rattling or even worse grinding sound coming from the compressor.

In this case, faulty or damaged bearings within the compressor are the most likely reason.

Just like with the serpentine belt symptom, you should take off the serpentine belt and check that some other appliances (like the alternator for instance) aren’t causing the problem.

4. LOW REFRIGERANT PRESSURE ALL THE TIME

If you have to constantly refill refrigerant in the AC system, you might have a damaged compressor that leaks.

Refilling the system once a year is OK, twice a year is tolerable, more than this and you definitely have a problem.

This bad AC compressor symptom can be caused by other issues, but in any case, the whole system needs checking.

For more information on how to refill your car’s AC system the easy and quick way, click here to see our video on that topic.

5. THE ENGINE SOUND DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN YOU TURN ON THE AC

When turning on the AC compressor on most cars there is either a distinctive clicking sound when the compressor starts working or like in this case, the engine bogs down a bit.

You may also hear spinning from the fan for the AC system located on or near the radiator.

When all of this is not happening, you should check not only the compressor but perhaps the whole system.

Besides the hot air coming from the vents, this symptom is one of the most obvious, especially to laymen in cars and mechanics.

CONCLUSION

In the end, here is some advice on what you should do when you notice these bad AC compressor symptoms:

If the air conditioning and cooling are weak but you don’t hear any strange noises from the engine bay, try to refill the refrigerant first and see what happens afterward.

If you hear the chirping sound, try checking the serpentine belt first and eventually the other appliances it drives.

But if you hear rattling or grinding and you conclude that it’s from the AC compressor solve this problem as soon as possible.

Otherwise, it may tear the serpentine belt and cause even more damage.