Is The Ac Compressor Replacement Cost Worth It
The AC compressor replacement cost is going to be on the more expensive side for most people. It might scare some of them away from wanting to replace their bad AC compressor. But at the end of the day, not replacing a bad AC compressor is almost always a bad idea. Youre going to get stuck driving around in a hot car all the time, and its going to make you hate getting behind the wheel.
Additionally, not paying the AC compressor replacement cost could cause your cars value to take a nosedive. Very few people are going to want to buy your car if they know that it doesnt have AC in it. You might be able to get away with not having a working AC compressor if you live in a place thats cold most of the time. But otherwise, the AC compressor replacement cost will be worth it in the end.
Is It Worth It To Replace Ac Compressor
If its only a few years old and youve been having it regularly maintained, but the compressor failed anyway, its time to look and your manufacturers warranty. If the warranty is still good, then you should be able to have the compressor replaced at no cost to you because this shows an AC defect.
Find Your Ac Compressor
To find the correct AC compressor that is guaranteed to fit your car at an unbeatable price, use the Year, Make, and Model search at the top of this page. If you find the AC compressor cost is cheaper somewhere else, call our AC specialists at 907-7225. Well match any price. This means that you will save money on your AC compressor, without sacrificing quality. Along with the lowest air conditioner compressor cost in the industry, our parts are also backed by BAPs buyer-friendly warranty.
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Most Popular Toyota Camry Ac Compressors
Based on industry averages you can expect to pay between $227.51 and $411.99 for a Toyota Camry ac compressor.
- 02-06 – Camry LE, SE, XLE DENSO is the OE supplier for this vehicle OE-specified O-rings and Oil included.In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$269.99
- 02-06 – Camry Base, LE, SE, XLE DENSO is the OE supplier for this vehicle OE-specified O-rings and Oil included.In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$259.99
- 08-08 – Camry CE, Hybrid, LE, SE, XLE 07-07 – Camry CE, Hybrid, LE, SE, XLE DENSO is the OE supplier for this vehicle OE-specified O-rings and Oil included. 09-09 – Camry Base, Hybrid, LE, SE, XLE Japan Built DENSO is the OE supplier for this vehicle OE-specified O-rings and Oil included.USA Built DENSO is the OE supplier for this vehicle OE-specified O-rings and Oil included.In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$411.99
- 02-06 – Camry LE, SE, XLE In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$291.55
- 96-98 – Camry CE, LE, SE, XLE In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$297.24
- 02-06 – Camry Base, LE, SE, XLE USA BuiltLeaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$242.94
- 02-06 – Camry Base, LE, SE, XLE Japan BuiltLeaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$227.51
- 94-96 – Camry DX, LE, XLE In Stock Leaves warehouse within 1-2 business days.$287.50Add to Cart
How A Car A/c Compressor Works

In order to get sweet, cold air pumping through your vents onto your sweaty brow, your air conditioning system needs to go through its processes. The refrigerant you use to recharge your A/C needs to turn from a gas to a liquid to a gas over and over endlessly to cool you down as you drive.
The A/C compressor exists solely to transform low pressure, low-temperature gas to high pressure, and consequently high-temperature gas. Think about it like high school chemistry class as gas is compressed, the molecules are forced closer together where they move faster, generating heat. The compressor in your car is very similar.
A plate inside is rotated around a central axis, taking low-pressure air and pushing it out through a smaller hole than it came in, creating a higher pressure, higher temperature gas to go through the air condenser, making usable liquid with which to cool your sweaty pits!
An oversimplification of course, but you get the picture! If you want more details about how a car air conditioner compressor works, check out this video.
The compressor looks like a belt-driven, engine-mounted, pulley-lookin thing that youve most definitely seen if youve spent any time under the hood. And its DEFINITELY an item youve lusted over during a hot summers day in a car with no air conditioning.
To summarize, youll need a compressor that runs in order to get cold air in the cockpit of your sick 1999 Honda Accord
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Replacement Ac Compressor Cost Comparison
The AC compressor replacement cost will vary depending on the model of car you drive, where you have it repaired and what kind of part you require. There will be substantial differences depending on what garage you go to and if you opt for aftermarket parts. Unlike some components, going with an off-brand AC compressor shouldnt cause any issues with the functionality of your air conditioning unit.
What Is The Ac Compressor All About
An AC system has many components: compressor, condenser, receiver dryer, evaporator, and hoses. The compressor, the heart of the cars air conditioning system works like a pump taking refrigerant, and pressurizing it, passing it along to the evaporator.
The AC compressor has several moving parts . These internal parts can fail, causing the AC compressor to stop working. It is common for the internal parts of the compressor to come apart and disperse metallic debris throughout the system. Consequently, it is a requirement to replace the orifice tube and the receiver dryer when replacing the compressor since some of the debris may have ended up there.
For an AC compressor to work, it needs a clutch, bearing, and an electrical connector. The clutch is driven by a drive/serpentine belt, which engages the compressor when you switch on the AC. The clutch can burn or the bearing can fail. If the bearing or clutch have failed, it is recommended that the compressor be replaced. Sometimes replacing the entire compressor with a remanufactured one can be cheaper than replacing an individual clutch or bearings.
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How Long Does The Ac Compressor In A Car Last
Just like almost all of the other components and parts located on the inside of your car, your AC compressor isnt going to last you forever. You might not use it throughout the entire year, but even still, its likely going to wear down on you and force you to seek AC compressor replacement eventually. Its why you should know what the AC compressor replacement cost is going to be the next time you have problems with your AC compressor.
The AC compressors that are installed nowadays are a lot more durable than the AC compressors that used to be found in cars because of technological advancements that have been made. But theyre still only going to last you about 12 to 15 years in most cases prior to needing to be replaced. And they could very well break down on you sooner than that if you live in a place that calls for you to use your cars AC system almost all year long. You should keep a close eye out for issues with your AC compressor so that you dont get stuck driving around in a car without a reliable AC system.
Car A/c Compressor Replacement Cost
Best places to order parts? See: 19 Best Online Auto Parts Stores
Youll all want to know: How much will this cost me??
With a bit of searching on the internet, I came up with $150-$180 for the A/C compressor part itself for my 2004 Toyota Sequoia on PartsGeek or RockAuto. At Advanced Auto Parts and Autozone, you might get out the door paying $150, but I dont really like the generic Denso/Duralast variants if theres any possibility you can get OEM.
If you can do the work yourself, add shipping on top of that price, factor 3-4 hours of your time, patience, bloody knuckles, and youll come up with a pretty good idea of what investment this project will take.
Even better call a buddy, buy a six-pack and do it together, six feet apart of course , and youll have a much better time.
If you arent that handy yet with a wrench, or youd rather spend the money to save time, youll need to fork over anywhere from $300-$900 for labor as some cars have more accessible air compressor than others.
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Our Expert Insights Into Toyota Avensis Compressor Replacement
What does a compressor do?
The compressor is powered by your cars engine and pumps and pressurizes the refrigerant through the air conditioning system, feeding cold air into your car.
Symptoms of a malfunctioning compressor
If the air conditioning in your car doesnt function as it normally would, for example, if your air vents arent producing cool air, then it could be down to a faulty compressor.
What Is An Ac Compressor
An AC compressor is a necessary component in your cars air conditioning system. Air conditioning being the AC in AC compressor”, if you didn’t already figure that out.The AC compressor serves two main purposes. First, it pumps the refrigerant through the air conditioning system. And second, it creates pressure for the refrigerant. Both of these things are crucial when it comes to creating cold air, which Im guessing is something you would like your cars air conditioning system to be able to do.The bulk of AC compressors get their power from the drive belt or belts. Depending on the type of car you have, the AC compressor may be controlled by an AC compressor clutch, which is engaged when you use the climate control buttons, or it may be of the variable displacement variety, which uses a control valve. Some cars even have their AC compressor running at all times, just at varying levels.Its fairly common for elements in your cars air conditioning system to die with wear and tear. The AC compressor is especially vulnerable, due to the fact that a leak in the refrigerant will result in low levels of lubricant for the AC compressor. This is the primary cause of failure.
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How Much Does The Average Car Ac Compressor Replacement Cost
I went to my regular mechanic, and he said that I need a new ac compressor. He is charging me $1200 and that seems astronomical! How much does the average car ac compressor replacement cost?
$1,100labor cost$160 and $200parts$650 and $840seems fair$800+45 seconds
Why Is An Ac Compressor So Important In A Car

Based on everything that we just said about your cars AC compressor, you should be convinced of just how important it is. But just in case you arent, consider this: If your cars AC compressor isnt working as intended, there is a good chance that all of the air that your AC system produces isgoing to be on the warmer side. Even though itll sound like your AC system is kicking, youre going to get hit with nothing but hot air thanks to a faulty AC compressor.
With this in mind, you should understand just how essential it is to have a good AC compressor in your car. At the first sign of trouble, you should take your car down to your local mechanic to have them look at your compressor to tell you if its the issue. If it is, youre going to need to think about paying the AC compressor to have it fixed sooner than later.
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The Function Of An Ac Compressor Clutch
The AC compressor clutch is responsible for converting energy from the engine and delivering it to the compressor. When you turn on the air conditioning, the clutch engages and begins spinning to transfer the power.
The compressor clutch also keeps the air conditioning from running constantly. If it ran all the time, you would notice a decrease in fuel economy and have worn-out air conditioning components more often. It would also cause excessive strain on the engine.
How Can I Tell If My Ac Compressor Is Bad
5 Signs & amp, Symptoms of a Bad AC Compressor
- Your AC Is Making Growling, Screeching, or Clattering Noises. Electrical failures in the compressor will make your AC emit unusual clunking or rattling noises.
- You Have a Hard Time Getting Your AC to Start.
- Your AC Stops Blowing Cold Air.
- Circuit Breaker Problems.
- Diminished Airflow.
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How Much Does It Cost To Replace Car Ac Compressor
The average cost for AC compressor replacement is between $812 and $1,041. Labor costs are estimated between $161 and $204 while parts are priced between $651 and $838. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
Inability To Turn Air On Or Off
With the clutch broken, the compressor could remain activated, making it impossible to turn off the air conditioning. This isnt good for the other AC components and could lead to bigger problems.
However, its much more common for the clutch to break and make it impossible to turn on the air instead. Without the clutch, the compressor doesnt receive any power from the engine, so you are left without air conditioning.
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Will A Bad Ac Compressor Affect The Engine
Yes, a bad AC compressor will affect the engine negatively. The AC compressor plays a very crucial role in the car by providing an air conditioning system. If the ac compressor is affected, it will affect the engine because when the compressors pulley bearing defaults, it will stall due to the stuck compressor.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Ac Compressor
Now that you know how important a cars AC compressor is and have some idea as far as how long itll last you, you should educate yourself on the symptoms of a bad AC compressor. Its going to be difficult for you to spot potential problems with an AC compressor if you dont know what youre supposed to be looking out for.
The first and most obvious symptom associated with a bad AC compressor is a lack of cool air coming through your cars AC system. This will often indicate that your AC compressor isnt working right. But thatsnot the only symptom that might suggest trouble. Here are some others:
- There are a lot of strange sounds coming from the general direction of your AC system
- You can hear that your AC compressor isnt turning on when you try to start your AC system
- The circuit breaker for your AC system trips every time you try to turn it on
- You see something leaking out of the bottom of your car when you have your AC system running
Have you experienced any of these things when using your cars AC system? Rather than ignoring them, you should familiarize yourself with the AC compressor replacement cost and schedule service for your car right away.
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How Much Does It Cost For A Mechanic To Replace My Ac Compressor
AC Compressor Replacement Cost According to data by HomeGuide, the average cost to replace a home air conditioner compressor is about $600 to $1,200 under warranty, or $1,300 to $2,500 when its not under warranty. Many HVAC contractors charge $100 to $150 per hour plus the cost of parts to repair a home AC compressor.
Is it worth it to replace AC compressor?
The compressor is an expensive item to replace. Because dead compressors usually happen in old air conditioners, its more cost-effective to start over with a new AC rather than pay to put a new compressor into a system thats already wasting power and a few years from the junk heap.
The Car Wont Blow As Cold As It Once Did

It could be gradual, and you may not notice it at first, but sooner or later you will be sweating like a pig in your Toyota and have the A/C on full blast on hot summer day.
This could be due to a leak in your conditioning system, but more than likely its due to a faulty compressor, so youll want to check that out.
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Benefits Of Air Conditioner Compressor Repair
A fully functioning air conditioning system can be anywhere between a pleasant luxury and an absolute necessity, depending on the climate where you live. While in the past you were limited to opening the windows and just dealing with the wind and noise, over 80% of new cars are now fitted with air conditioning. The AC Compressor replacement cost is minimal compared to the amount of comfort and solace that a nice cool can provide on a hot summer day.
It allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the car, even in the warmest of climates. Most people with kids will be aware that theres few things like a hot car to start an argument between siblings, so cool air can often mean cool heads! On a practical level, functioning air conditioning can keep the windscreen and other windows clear and free from mist. This can help significantly with visibility, particularly if you have a car full of people misting up the windows.
Finally, having the windows of a car can have an influence on the aerodynamics of a2022 Toyota CAMRY HYBRID . Keeping the windows up ensures this remains at an optimal level, reducing fuel waste and keeping noise to a minimum.