My car AC stopped working. It blows hot air even on max cold.
I have a 2017 Toyota Camry and the AC worked fine all summer but yesterday it just started blowing hot air. I turned it to the coldest setting and waited 10 minutes but nothing changed. I checked the fuse and it's fine. The compressor doesn't seem to be clicking on. What could be wrong and how much will this cost?
1 Answer(s)
The fact that the compressor isn't clicking on is a big clue. Here are the most likely causes in order of probability:
1. Low refrigerant (most common). When refrigerant drops below a certain level, the compressor won't engage as a safety feature. This usually means you have a leak somewhere. A recharge costs $150-300 but if there's a leak, it'll be empty again in weeks. You need a leak test ($50-100) first.
2. Faulty compressor clutch. The electromagnetic clutch that engages the compressor can fail. Replacement runs $400-800 including labor.
3. Bad AC relay or sensor. Cheaper fix — usually $100-200.
What to do: Don't just \"recharge\" it. That's a band-aid. Go to a shop that does a proper AC system check with UV dye to find the leak. Total cost for a proper fix is usually $200-600 depending on what's wrong.
If the compressor itself is dead, you're looking at $800-1200. At that point, get a second opinion before committing. Toyota AC systems are generally reliable so this is unusual for a 7-year-old car.