Car AC repair costs vary widely — from a simple recharge to a full compressor replacement. Select your vehicle and repair type for an estimate.
Common signs: warm air blowing even with AC on full, loud clicking or grinding when AC engages, refrigerant leaks (oily residue near AC components), or AC cycling on and off rapidly. Have the system pressure tested before assuming a compressor replacement.
A recharge is appropriate if the system is low from normal permeation. If refrigerant disappears quickly (within weeks), there's a leak that needs repair first. A leak test ($50–$150) tells you which fix is right.
AC compressors typically last 8–12 years or 100,000–150,000 miles. Failure is accelerated by running the AC with low refrigerant, which also carries the lubricant the compressor needs.