# Is there a definite diagnostic for an AC compressor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 12, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904 "2017-04-12T15:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/21 "2017-04-15T00:15:09Z")
I live where 50%+++ humity is normal in the summer so obviously it’s a much worse problem here but even at 30% humidity if the AC condensation drain is not open condensed water will eventually accumulate in the plenum and freeze on the evaporator. When that happens cool air will not be blown out the vents regardless how well the system is working. The intermittant condition relative to ambient temperature and driving conditions should clue a good AC shop toward where the problem is and you need someone knowledgeable and well equipped to diagnose and repair your AC. Throwing parts at it can be very expensive. ---
**Author:** ![markg2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@markg2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markg2)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/22 "2017-04-15T14:24:12Z")
I checked out Autolab on Yelp and they appear to be a full service shop. At the moment, I would really like to find a shop that specializes in AC. ---
**Author:** ![markg2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@markg2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markg2)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/23 "2017-04-15T14:25:31Z")
Manual controls–no temp set–plain Jane. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/24 "2017-04-15T14:59:23Z")
> [@markg2](#): > > At the moment, I would really like to find a shop that specializes in AC. Why, you just want the repair made. If they do other things great. ---
**Author:** ![markg2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@markg2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markg2)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/25 "2017-04-15T16:03:48Z")
My experience with general repair shops/mechanics has been less than productive for the AC so far. I’m looking for a shop that really knows AC systems to diagnose a problem that is apparently less than obvious. I’ll be driving by both my primary mechanic’s shop and the auto parts shop this morning and will see if they know. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/26 "2017-04-15T20:47:17Z")
Actually I think you could benefit by just paying a dealer $100 for the diagnosis. Once you know the problem you can decide how to fix it. Dealers know the electronics and have the equipment to test both mechanics and electronics, plus they are factory trained. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/27 "2017-04-15T23:51:11Z")
> [@markg2](#): > > I’ll be driving by both my primary mechanic’s shop and the auto parts shop this morning and will see if they know. That’s a good choice. Choose the AC specialist shop based on a personal recommendation by someone who has used the shop successfully before. Make sure whichever shop you choose, to tell them who it was that recommended them to you. That gives you a little leverage on the situation. ---
**Author:** ![markg2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@markg2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markg2)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904/28 "2017-04-16T16:56:13Z")
As soon as I asked the Owner of Carquest he had the name of a long established Denver shop that just does auto/truck AC systems. I’ll be calling them Monday. I’ll be back here whenever the system is repaired to let you know the result. Mark [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-there-a-definite-diagnostic-for-an-ac-compressor/102904.md?page=1)