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CostHelper.com > Cars > Car Air Conditioning
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Car Air Conditioning Cost |
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How Much Does Car Air Conditioning Cost? |
 | Simple Repairs: $250-$650 |
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 | Extensive Repairs: $800-$1,200 |
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 | Installation: $2,000-$4,000+ |
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| Think of a car air conditioner as a refrigerator installed in a strange layout, one that is designed to move heat from inside your car to the outdoors. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Expect to pay $250 -$650 to test for leaks, replace a few minor parts and then top-off or completely recharge the refrigerant in a vehicle's system. The work takes an average of four hours labor, at roughly $50 -$100 an hour, plus parts; for luxury vehicles both parts and labor may cost more.
- It can run $800 -$1,200 or more for extensive repairs replacing or upgrading most of the major parts in an existing A/C system (upgrades are most commonly needed in pre-1995 vehicles, because of changes in environmental requirements). Vehicles with easy access to the A/C system and plentiful low-cost parts could be less; high-end luxury vehicles will often cost more.
- Installing air conditioning in a vehicle that doesn't have any could be around $2,000 -$4,000 or more, depending on the year, make and model. Again, luxury vehicles could cost even more, depending on location.
What should be included: | - Air conditioning repairs involve locating and stopping leaks; it can be tricky to find a small, slow leak in a hard-to-reach area, so it can sometimes require several attempts to fix the system. Most auto air conditioners have five major components--the refrigerant, which carries the heat; the compressor (the heart of the system) which draws in refrigerant, compresses it and moves it along; the condenser (often similar to a car radiator), which expels heat; the expansion valve, a nozzle that regulates the refrigerant flow; and the drier/evaporator, used to cool the car by blowing the hot interior air across the refrigerant. FamilyCar.com provides a basic overview.
- The refrigerant in older cars (made prior to 1995) was usually CFC-12, known by the brand name of Freon. This product is no longer manufactured in the US because it depletes the ozone layer, and there are limited quantities available of a replacement refrigerant. The US Environmental Protection Agency discusses the options for converting a car to a better refrigerant and when it's good to top-off a car's A/C system with a little more refrigerant and when it's best to empty it and completely recharge the system.
- DIY Network describes repairing and upgrading the A/C system on an older car and how to install A/C in a car that has none.
Shopping for car air conditioning: | |
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Article updated October 2007 |
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| ac compressor |
| Amount: $727.00 |
| Posted by: Robin montgomery in elderton, PA. | Posted: June 6th, 2008 09:06AM |
| Make: dodge 2000 | Model: caravan 4 cyl |
| Shop: crossroadsservice station |
price to replace air conditioner compressor that had a bad seal and leaked out the freon.
11 months earlier had to replace the part under the dash that is the cold little radiator that the fan blows on and that cost... $584.00 the part was only $100. I now have over $1300 in 11 months in repair costs for air conditioner wow... thats $100. dollars a month I need to set aside just to pay the ac shop ????????....lol...crying !!! |
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| Air conditioning repair |
| Amount: $1,100.00 |
| Posted by: hukolb in Louisville, KY. | Posted: January 1st, 2009 10:01AM |
| Make: Oldsmobile | Model: Sillouhette |
| Shop: Pep Boys |
| We have not had the best luck this time around. We aren't sure if it's the car or the shop but first time in we paid about $200 to have the air conditioner looked at, freon replaced and dye put in to find the leak. Then they supposedly found it and fixed the whole thing for $900. Then another part went bad a few weeks later and luckily they only charged us $15 for the part. Now the Condenser the put in was defective and they cover the part but want $350 for labor just to fix it. We live in New Orleans and it's hot here so we are now wondering if we can afford another repair for survival! Does anyone else have this experience with chain shops? |
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| AC Blockage + Freon |
| Amount: $150.00 |
| Posted by: a user in kearny, NJ. | Posted: April 15th, 2009 05:04PM |
| Make: 1992 Honda | Model: Accord |
| Shop: Local Mechanic |
| This woman mechanic used a can of block remover and a leak sealer to shore up the problem in the AC line. She also filled me up on Freon all for $150. |
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| Installing air conditioning in 2009 honda civic dx |
| Amount: $1,875.00 |
| Posted by: fierceroller in Baltimore, MD. | Posted: May 4th, 2009 12:05PM |
| Make: Honda | Model: civic dx |
| Shop: Norris |
| Install and parts cost 1875.00 plus tax.. I am going to do since I plan to have this car until it dies or I die. |
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| Finding a leak |
| Amount: $260.00 |
| Posted by: a user in Bronx, NY. | Posted: May 15th, 2009 07:05AM |
| Make: Honda | Model: Civic 2003 |
| Shop: Bronx |
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| charge freon first to find A/C problem |
| Amount: $120.00 |
| Posted by: yabidoo in somerset county, NJ. | Posted: June 1st, 2009 04:06AM |
| Make: Handa | Model: Odyssey |
| Shop: 10 yrs plus local garage |
With a free check up by the local garagy, the techician found that A/C freon is all gone and then compressor is automatically shut off because of that. In order to do a further diganostics, techincian needs to charge freon first to start up the compressor. Then he can start his diganostics further. For this freon charge alone they asked for $120.
However I was told that I can go to Autozone and get similar freon can to charge my car myself. I went there, did it and cost me $30 with can and connector. The staff at Autozone was very helpful. They usually will help you to charge freon even. Very very nice people! BTW, pls be very very careful about this charging thing. As I heard, freon may cause cancer and you never want it to spread into your eyes. Also you don't want to over charge it; otherwise the pressure will build up and damange the A/C further. The easiest way is to gradually add freon little by little and test the A/C by just seating in the car with windows closed. Obviously put your car in park position and step on you gas petal will help.
Unfortunately my A/C was working for just one day after those hustle and then back to the same situation again. Now I suspect the cause is the famous condenser rock issue after I check my condenser. You will find more victims on the web for this. Hope these notes help... |
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| Replace major system components |
| Amount: $1,343.00 |
| Posted by: sad panda in Laguna Niguel, CA. | Posted: July 28th, 2009 02:07PM |
| Make: 2001 Nissan | Model: Xterra |
| Shop: local garage |
Compressor seized, burnt belts, and contaminated system with metal. Replaced compressor w/clutch, expansion valve, receiver drier, pressure switch, refrigerant, flushed system, replaced all outer drive belts, recharged with freon and oil and dye and tested.
$517 labor/$836 parts |
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| Posted by: DJW in Mineral Wells, TX. | Posted: August 20th, 2009 11:08AM |
| Make: 1999 Chevrolet | Model: Suburban |
| Shop: Personal |
| A/C wasn\'t discharging cool air. Bought can of refridgerant with stop-leak added in can along with hose with dial indicator. Added as per instruction on dial hose indicator. Works great! |
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| Posted by: Andrewoca in Ottawa, On, Other. | Posted: August 21st, 2009 08:08AM |
| Make: Pontiac | Model: 98 Sunfire GT |
| Shop: Canadian Tire |
| A/C compressor not starting, told new compressor and lines needed. No way was i paying what they wanted. A little research showed if the pressure is low, the compressor will never try and start. Bought a recharge kit from Canadian Tire for 30 bucks. Bought a can of "environment friendly" refridgerant for an another 12 bucks. filled the pressure back up and works like new. Done two years ago, each summer needs a new can for 12 bucks. I suspect there is a leak around or in the compressor, not worth replacing on a 98. Anyway for 12 bucks a can a year plus 30 for the line and guage, i have A/C again. This coolant is availble over the counter here becasue it has no environment damages when leaked. |
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| A/c repair and the truth |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: Steve E Laverty in Modesto, CA. | Posted: May 23rd, 2010 05:05PM |
| Make: All cars | Model: Your grandma\'s car |
| Shop: Modesto auto air |
| It is a shame to see so many people ripped off by so called auto techs. About me I installed my first ac system at age 9 or 10 after a couple years of ac classes. My father taught collage classes and I got to go with. I can not tell you how many cars I have installed and repaired in the last 35 years. First if it is not cooling well do not use it. All cars leak freon service it every two years. Many leaks can be seen but how big they are is a bit harder. Compressor seals can be replaced 1/4 the cost of a comp. If you get the feeling your mech does not know what he is doing or ripping u off find another one. Condensers very seldom go bad most cases they leak some can be repaired. Most leaks are at hoses and comp. Seal. Pressure switches go bad but most of the time it is the conector \"small wires and pins. Every model cars have the same problems in gen. Honda civic\'s comp\'s, cond\'s and disc hose\'s. Chevy trucks comp\'s fan clutches and a/c relays , press sw. Understand the a/c is a heat exchanger to get cold you must remove the heat this is done at the condensor bugs dirt and lack of moving air are a problem. No condensing or lack of is the bigest reason of failure. It makes the high pressure go up and now stressing hoses and comp. Wash radiator and cond. With water or air do not bend the fins. Oil is importiant it is moved threw the system by the freon if it is low on freon the oil does not come back to the comp. I can go on for hours but the most importiant thing I was taught is to be honest. Do a job your proud of charge a fair price. And no one is perfect we all make mistakes. If you have questions e mail me I will do my best to get back to you .Modestoautoair at yahoo dot com |
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| A/C hose Cracks spraying freon everywhere. |
| Amount: $70.00 |
| Posted by: a user in springfield, VA. | Posted: June 2nd, 2010 08:06PM |
| Make: dodge | Model: durango |
| Shop: my house |
I pulled over cause my engine bay started smelling bad, i opened the hood looked underneath it and found a hose had broken spraying green liquid all over. I look around finding it was my a/c hose. cost to buy new one was 65 plus tax. the shop wanted to do 120 just do order the part to there store. then who knows how much to install and charge it.
so i go to a friend who is a mechanic junkie, he fixes it up just fine. bought him a 6 pack + 12 bucks. total spent 82. |
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| A/C Test & Repair |
| Amount: $450.00 |
| Posted by: kush quality in Cashville, TN. | Posted: June 7th, 2010 12:06PM |
| Make: 98 Lincoln | Model: Towncar |
| Shop: Alva's |
| I was charged $100 just for testing at one place and they asked for $600 for repairs. Went to Alva's where they said they needed to pull my dash and replace the sensor, not sure what it's called, but it works great. Ended up paying $450. |
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| Air conditioner pressure hose |
| Amount: $343.00 |
| Posted by: jj87507 in Santa Fe, NM. | Posted: July 11th, 2010 05:07AM |
| Make: 03 Chevy | Model: suburban |
| Shop: PEP Boys |
| PEP Boys did aa a/c check for $162. They told me it was the high pressure side hose and switch. They qouted $665 to replace. I asked for part# and come to find out the hose cost $72.99(99.99 at PEP Boys) and Auto Zone and Chevy Dealership had hose and the switch came with it for $113.85. So I took the part to PEP Boys to install total cost 343. If I had taken it to the Dealership at first it would have cost $300.13. Bewar PEP Boys upcharges parts and will take you if they can. |
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| Firestone Rip-Off Tactics |
| Amount: $115.00 |
| Posted by: sheilamills2182 in Baltimore, MD. | Posted: September 5th, 2010 06:09AM |
| Make: Chevy | Model: Blazer |
| Shop: Firestone |
| A/C not giving cold air. Took to Firestone, they charged $115 for Freon charge. Week later, no air. Firestone tech said there was a leak and that the charge to fix would be $2500. Spoke to Manager who confirmed. Left and took the truck to Carmax and sold it to them. Bought a new car. Its not worth the aggravation to learn the truth about what is really wrong with air conditioner. Shops see dollar signs when there is a leak. |
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| Condensor now compressor leaking air |
| Amount: $485.00 |
| Posted by: Latoya in Avondale, AK. | Posted: September 11th, 2010 11:09AM |
| Make: Buick | Model: Rendevous |
| Shop: Brakes express |
| Last summer 2009 we had to have the air top off and put dye to find the leak and we were told the leak was the condenser, we got that repaired 485 dollars, the following summer Aug 2010 the air begin to blow hot, we took back to the same shop, their now saying we have another leak that appears to be the compressor, they top it off and put dye in it have to take it back to find the new leak, feel like were getting played but it sucks because we live in AZ. |
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| not sure about price |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: ifer2006 in wichita falls,, TX. | Posted: September 20th, 2010 04:09PM |
| Make: 2005 kia | Model: optima |
| looked at ac and filled with freon and dye for 150. went back there's a leak where the hose connects they say it will be 500 to 1000 to fix does that sound right |
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| air conditioning |
| Amount: $360.00 |
| Posted by: Barbara Hemsworth in Columbus, OH. | Posted: September 24th, 2010 08:09AM |
| Make: 2006 SAAB | Model: 93 4-door |
| Shop: Nolan Car Shop |
| I spent a total of 360 but not all at Nolans. He said there was a leak in the valve that you use to put in the freon. He gave us the old part and charged us 171.00. In 5 days it's blowing hot air again. I don't think that the part was bad but he has a price of $49.95 for vac and charge. I think he just made up the story about the part to justify charging me $171.00. |
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| 2008 Lancer AC Compressor |
| Amount: $2,500.00 |
| Posted by: Cliff in Alpharetta, GA. | Posted: October 27th, 2010 02:10PM |
| Make: Mitsubishi | Model: Lancer |
| Shop: Rick Case Dealer |
| HOT summer in GA, AC Compressor was shot and NOT covered by new car warranty? $2500 OTD estimate for repair. Will not do, instead selling the car. |
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| the quality of compressor made in China |
| Amount: $1.00 |
| Posted by: philips in Shanghai, IN. | Posted: November 5th, 2010 07:11PM |
| Make: made in China | Model: all kinds of |
| Shop: China |
| someone can give a comment about the quality of compressor made in china? |
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| A/C Compressor replacement |
| Amount: $950.00 |
| Posted by: LindaF in Canada, ME. | Posted: December 11th, 2010 06:12AM |
| Make: Honda | Model: Odyssey 2000 |
| Shop: local |
Replacing compressor + compressor oil + refrigerant = $950.
When asked if the car can run without A/C compressor the mechanic told me that not for this make/model. Doesn't matter if you use it or not, without it car can't run. There is no way to bypass compressor on Honda Odyssey ;-( Thus costly repair of something that we almost never use. We live in Canada. No need for cool air :-) |
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| A/C Condenser and Receiver/Dryer unit replacement |
| Amount: $510.00 |
| Posted by: a user in Toronto, MI. | Posted: February 10th, 2011 02:02PM |
| Make: Nissan | Model: Maxima |
| Shop: Tiger Auto |
| A rock struck the A/C condenser causing all of the R134a refrigerant to leak out to the point the safety switch won't allow the compressor to cycle on. I didn't really care about not having A/C for 08 or 09 but 2010 was really hot so I had the system leak tested at no charge (For free since I knew the guy) and damaged A/C condenser replaced as well as the receiver/drier since the system was open to oxygen and moisture. System placed on a 45 minute vacuum down to 29 inches then recharged with 1.5lbs of R134a and 4oz of oil. |
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| AC Hose Replacement |
| Amount: $467.00 |
| Posted by: Will in SC in COLUMBIA, SC. | Posted: April 7th, 2011 03:04PM |
| Make: Nissan | Model: Altima |
| Shop: Local |
| Paid $467 to have a leak diagnosed, hose replaced and unit recharged with freon. |
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| Posted by: The Auto Tech in Orlando, FL. | Posted: May 5th, 2011 11:05AM |
| Make: All | Model: All |
| Shop: Mine |
Hello all,
Just to bring some light to those of you that talk like you know what you are saying and those that have been pocket raped. I am an AC tech with over 15 years of experience working in all makes and models, and not all are a pleasure to work on. Some are easy to work on, some are totally cramped and almost impossible to work on. There will be big names like pepboys, western auto and other films that with pleasure tell you "oh, the repair for your vehicle's AC is a total of $650.00 plus $385.00 for parts. This is due to the fact that an AC job could take from 15 minutes to 8 hours or more, and big companies like that will not risk to tie up a tech for that period of time when they can have him doing brakes and oil changes that he can perform in few minutes while the company gets paid the full flat rate amount for that job. The poor tech still goes home with only eight hours of work paid no matter how many labor hours he produced on that day. Very good techs can easily produce as much as 20 hours of labor in a single day. My point is, take the risk if that is what you want to call it, and go to your local Joe in the corner shop, they will must likely treat you better and most of the time will re-check your car if other problems arise with the same system for free or for a fraction of the price. Basically, you can repair your car twice or three times in the same Joe tree shade shop for what you would pay at Pepboys, dealers and big names shop. By the way, ASE certified doesn't mean, they know everything, it means the spent a couple of thousand dollars on some courses to be able to work on those big shops. I have seen ASE cerified techs that would look for spark plugs in a diesel engine. |
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| ac not blowing cold air |
| Amount: $100.00 |
| Posted by: DEELO in SALT LAKE, UT. | Posted: May 22nd, 2011 01:05AM |
| Make: 97 lincoln con | Model: |
| Shop: did it my self |
| i was on vac in vegas my ac went out took it to pep boy they told me a bunch of crap .that i needed a new comp,orifice tube, reciever drier, and recharge system it would cost me $3700.00 i told them who did they think i was thier mother they could bend over and screw . i took it to a small shop in utah the service tech told me i could fix the problem my self and he didnt charge me a cent .do ever trust pepboys for any of your car repairs they are crooks . I AM THANKFUL TO THE SMALLER SERVICE SHOP AND WILL NEVER SHOP AT PEP BOYS AGAIN .. THEY WOULD RIP THE PANTIES OFF THIER MAMAS ASS IF SHE LET THEM ...FOR REAL ....... |
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| AC Hose, Pressure Test & Freon Refil |
| Amount: $330.00 |
| Posted by: The Russian in Manalapan, NJ. | Posted: June 9th, 2011 03:06PM |
| Make: Nissan | Model: Altima 2005 |
| Shop: GF United Auto |
| AC wasn't working, when it got to 98 degrees outside I decided to get it fixed. Went to a local shop owned by Russians (am Russian myself), total for AC hose, pressure test, freon refill and service came out to less then what others have posted. I guess I got a good deal. Still expensive though. |
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| Changed Compressor/Condenser/Drier |
| Amount: $850.00 |
| Posted by: iSnoop in Houston, TX. | Posted: June 14th, 2011 05:06AM |
| Make: Saturn | Model: Vue 3.5L |
| Shop: Toni's in Texas |
My car was involved in an accident before I bought the vehicle.
I noticed since I bought it 2 years ago that the AC was not working right. It would be ok before Summer and sometimes when I put freon, it would work for a while. But when u drive it, u can feel the compressor was not kicking in.
I eventually took it in where Toni replaced the compressor with a brand new China-made compressor (1 yr warranty), condenser and drier (lifetime warranty). And he vacuumed the A/C system before putting in new freon. All for $850.
I initially thought the amount was high until i read how much some of you were paying. |
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| Replace Air Compressor |
| Amount: $541.94 |
| Posted by: DavidM in Farmville, NC. | Posted: July 26th, 2011 03:07PM |
| Make: 2002 Chrysler | Model: Concorde Ltd. |
| New AC compressor ($256.49), new accumulator (44.78), expansion valve (39.71), oil for unit (15.00), 2 cans 134a freon (40.00), replace 2 values (8.59). Labor was $105. Total cost $541.94. |
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| Possibly ripped off... |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: ALoneStarTexan in Houston, TX. | Posted: July 27th, 2011 10:07PM |
| Make: Saturn | Model: LS1 |
| Shop: Firestone |
Bought a 2000 Saturn LS1 in March, everything was fine until last month when the AC died. It started blowing hot.
We took it to Firestone in Spring, TX where they charged us $129.00 just to look at it. They gave us a call about 4-5 hours later to tell us the total cost to repair would be $1,400.00 because, In their words "You can't just replace one part in a Saturn, When one part dies, You have to replace the entire system."
I paid $2,200 for this car, Don't get me wrong, I got a great deal on the car and love it but I'll be damned if I'm paying more then half of what I paid for the car in the first place just for the AC.
I'll sell it first. |
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| AC repair |
| Amount: $170.00 |
| Posted by: No AC in Florida in Orlando, FL. | Posted: August 25th, 2011 07:08AM |
| Make: Cadi | Model: Barritz |
| Condenser turned off due to low coolant. Took it in for coolant charge(r12) and was told there was a slight leak in condenser but they put a can in anyway. By next day the compressor stopped again assuming the can had leaked out. I don't want to put over $1000 in parts into air due to age of car. I would love to find the local Joe, around the corner auto shop that "The Auto Tech in Orlando, FL" suggested above, but there don't seem to be any local repair shops that can work on cars with the old freon. The big shops of course want to go for the big bucks and replace the work, rather than work on seals etc to get ac running . One mechanic suggested converting it to R134 then using some kit for leaks but another said absolutely not. I don't see any point in paying for an estimate to find out exactly whats wrong with it either, until I find a shop that I feel I can trust to do just what's needed and help minimize the costs. |
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| ac compressor labour n parts |
| Amount: $1,040.00 |
| Posted by: sujeet prasad in turlock ca, CA. | Posted: January 30th, 2012 02:01PM |
| Make: 2008 toyota tundra 2/4 | Model: tundra |
| Shop: midas |
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