Chevrolet K3500 AC is not working Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(13)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(13)

AC is not working Inspection Service

How much does a AC is not working Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Chevrolet K3500 AC is not working Inspection is $111 with $16 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1999 Chevrolet K3500V8-5.7LService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$147.93Shop/Dealer Price$166.17 - $198.37
1997 Chevrolet K3500V8-6.5L Turbo DieselService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$127.93Shop/Dealer Price$146.18 - $178.40
1998 Chevrolet K3500V8-6.5L Turbo DieselService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$127.93Shop/Dealer Price$146.18 - $178.40
1997 Chevrolet K3500V8-7.4LService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$127.93Shop/Dealer Price$146.16 - $178.36
2000 Chevrolet K3500V8-6.5L Turbo DieselService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$127.93Shop/Dealer Price$146.20 - $178.43
1997 Chevrolet K3500V8-5.7LService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$127.93Shop/Dealer Price$146.18 - $178.40
1998 Chevrolet K3500V8-7.4LService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$132.93Shop/Dealer Price$151.05 - $183.16
1995 Chevrolet K3500V8-6.5L Turbo DieselService typeAC is not working InspectionEstimate$132.93Shop/Dealer Price$151.42 - $183.82
Show example Chevrolet K3500 AC is not working Inspection prices

Although air conditioning may not be a necessity to get from point A to point B, it sure contributes to the quality of the trip. If you find yourself in the less-than-ideal situation of driving a vehicle with non-functioning or under-performing AC, it serves you well to book a mechanic to fix it, so you can comfortably get through the heat.

How this system works:

At its most basic level, a vehicle’s air conditioning system works by intentionally manipulating the temperature and pressure of refrigerant and the direct relationship they have. The process begins with creating high-pressure gas by compressing the refrigerant inside your vehicle’s AC system to raise its pressure and temperature. The refrigerant then flows through the condenser, which turns it into a hot high-pressure liquid before going into the receiver. The receiver – sometimes referred to as a dryer – removes moisture and unwanted particles from the refrigerant. After that, it passes into the expansion valve, or orifice tube, which reduces the refrigerant’s pressure and causes the liquid refrigerant to change its physical state into a cold low-pressure gas.

To perform this change of state from liquid to gas, the refrigerant must have “latent heat,” and it must take that latent heat from the surrounding area inside the evaporator. As the latent heat is pulled from the evaporator core to almost below freezing, the blower motor sends the cold air through your vehicle’s vents. Think of a hot summer day, and you just got out of the pool: The liquid water on your skin starts to evaporate and turn into water vapor. The cooling of your skin is the result of the water pulling the latent heat away from your body to change its state into a vapor.

The air conditioning system is chiefly comprised of the following components:

  • Compressor: This is the core of your AC system. Powered by your vehicle’s serpentine belt, the compressor pressurizes the refrigerant. It is turned on and off by way of the compressor clutch.

  • Compressor clutch: Before the compressor turns on, a special electro-magnetic clutch called the compressor clutch is necessary to engage and disengage the compressor cycle. The compressor clutch tells the compressor when to turn on and off so the refrigerant is correctly pressurized for use by the condenser.

  • Condenser: Located in the front of the radiator, the condenser takes the hot refrigerant and cools it down while also reducing the pressure. This turns the refrigerant into a liquid that can pass to the next stage of the AC system.

  • Receiver/Dryer: Present in vehicles equipped with a thermal expansion valve, the receiver – or dryer – protects the compressor and other parts of the AC system from damage from unwanted particles and liquids. It separates gas from liquid (because the compressor can only handle gas), removes moisture by way of a desiccant, and discards contaminants.

  • Accumulator: Found in vehicles with an orifice tube, the accumulator has roughly the same function as a receiver. In fact, your A/C system will have either a receiver or accumulator – not both. In addition to filtering out debris and moisture, this part controls the amount of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator. The accumulator also stores excess refrigerant so that it cannot enter and damage the compressor. If you have an accumulator, then you don’t have a thermal expansion valve.

  • Thermal expansion valve or orifice tube: The thermal expansion valve and orifice tube have roughly the same function. In fact, your A/C system will have either an orifice tube or expansion valve – not both. Situated between the condenser and evaporator, either the expansion valve or orifice tube is responsible for regulating the amount of refrigerant that enters the evaporator, greatly reducing its pressure and temperature.

  • Evaporator: This component does the actual "cooling" in the vehicle. Set just behind your dash, the evaporator removes humidity from cabin air and cools the air that passes over it. A clutch cycling switch monitors and controls the temperature inside the evaporator’s core to prevent it from freezing, which can greatly damage your AC system as a whole.

  • Blower motor: This part moves the cool air that has passed over the evaporator through your vehicle’s vents. It is controlled by a central control head (or resistor) for fan speed. Also in the distribution system are a series of mode doors that control the direction of flow of cold air.

Note that all of these parts are universal for any vapor-cycle AC system, but the way the refrigerant is metered, controlled, and restricted will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Common reasons for this to happen:

Although a malfunction in any part of your AC system can cause it to underperform or stop working altogether, there are certain issues that are common culprits. Low refrigerant is a common concern. However, since the refrigerant is recycled through the air conditioning system, the most likely way it can be lost is through a leak in one of the parts. Simply replacing the refrigerant will not solve the root of the problem.

The most frequent causes of a faulty air conditioning unit are:

  • Worn compressor: If your air conditioning suddenly stops working or starts making strange noises, the compressor may need to be replaced. A faulty compressor can also cause oil or refrigerant leaks, which a qualified mechanic can detect with dyes or a special infrared sniffer that can identify chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based gases.

  • Broken condenser: When your air conditioner blows air but it’s not cool enough, this can indicate problems with the condenser, although issues with the electric cooling fan or fan clutch could also be responsible. Typically, road debris causes damage to the condenser’s cooling fins and passage tubes, while internal debris prevents proper condenser function by restricting the flow of refrigerant and increasing high-side pressure. All of these cases result in a diminished ability for the condenser to transfer heat.

  • Faulty blower motor or resistor: If the AC system makes noise when you turn it on, but doesn’t push air through your vents, or if the blower only operates at maximum speed, the blower motor or resistor may be responsible.

  • Damaged receiver/dryer: If, in addition to your air conditioner not blowing cold air, moisture is accumulating on your windows that isn’t resolved by defrosting, the receiver is likely in need of replacement. This should be done as soon as possible because an excess of moisture will quickly damage other AC system components. 


  • Blown fuse: Sometimes, the simplest thing to fix can wreak the most havoc. So, it’s wise to check the fuse that controls your air conditioning before assuming the worst. However, simply replacing the fuse without exploring other symptoms can mask the root problem and cause further damage. If you find a blown fuse, take your car in. The mechanic working on your car may need to perform electrical tests to find the high resistance in the circuit and solve the problem that resulted in the blown fuse.

With that said, air conditioning problems can be summarized within 4 basic categories:

  • Hydraulic problems under the hood, such as a lack of refrigerant, too much refrigerant, a lack of adequate compression, or a lack of a refrigerant control device.

  • Electric problems under the hood, such as with the AC clutch coil, clutch relay, high-pressure cut-off switch, low-pressure cut-off switch, or circuit protection device.


  • Electrical problems in the dash, such as the AC switch not working, the computer control head or module going bad, or issues with the blend door command motor.


  • Mechanical problems in the dash, such as the blend door being physically broken, which prevents it from forcing air across the evaporator; the mode door being broken, which prevents it from forcing air though the vents; or the recirculation door being broken and falling into blower motor.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the AC malfunction. After the inspection, the mechanic will provide a detailed report that describes the air conditioning issue, along with the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will perform a visual inspection of the air conditioning system, check the refrigerant for the proper charge, use a sniffer to identify any leaks of CFC gas, test the heater controls to make sure the air is being directed across the evaporator and sealing off the heater core, and then check other system components as specific symptoms and issues are identified.

How important is this service?

Air conditioning systems use extremely high pressures and temperatures. If any of the above symptoms happen, please do the safe thing: have your system inspected by one of our expert mechanics.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Chevrolet mechanics

Real customer reviews from Chevrolet owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(13)

Rating Summary
10
2
0
0
1
10
2
0
0
1

Kenneth

37 years of experience
16 reviews
Kenneth
37 years of experience
Chevrolet K3500 V8-7.4L - Radiator - Englewood, Colorado
Great guy!

Richard

12 years of experience
48 reviews
Richard
12 years of experience
Chevrolet K3500 V8-7.4L - Car is not starting - Vail, Arizona
Outstanding mechanic, extremely knowledgable with my 1989 Chevy k3500 7.4 liter , I would recommend Richard for everyone with automobiie mechanical issues, also very pleasant customer service individual .

David

16 years of experience
635 reviews
David
16 years of experience
Chevrolet K3500 V8-6.5L Turbo Diesel - Brake Pads Replacement (Rear) - Concord, California
David was great. I had problems with other mechanics arriving without tools for my truck but David had everything. He let me help and answered all my questions while he worked. very friendly and I am so happy to find a mechanic that works on Diesels Thank you David

Nicholas

11 years of experience
303 reviews
Nicholas
11 years of experience
Chevrolet K3500 V8-7.4L - Car is making a noise - Houston, Texas
Identified the problem the second he heard the noise (no power steering fluid) , had the needed fluid on hand, filled it up and checked for leaks.

Excellent Rating

(13)

Rating Summary
10
2
0
0
1
10
2
0
0
1
Number of Chevrolet K3500 services completed
143+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Chevrolet MECHANICS
1600+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Preparing Your Car for Long-Term Storage
There There are multiple reasons you may need to store your vehicle. Perhaps your convertible is used only in the summer, and will need to be put into long-term storage throughout the winter. Maybe a project car is being stored...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Vent Oil Separator
Common signs include smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, the Check Engine Light coming on, excessive oil consumption, and sludge under the oil cap.
P2031 OBD-II Trouble Code: Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2
P2031 P2031 code definition Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2 What the P2031 code means P2031 is an OBD-II generic code for when the Engine Control Module (ECM) detects that, during the exhaust gas temperature (EGT)...

Electronics not working after leak

Depending on the severity of the leak that your vehicle had can help determine how much damage occurred from the leak. If any of the wiring was exposed to the water from the leak it could have caused corrosion or...

Why am I getting rich codes in my 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Claimed by Robert Tomashek

Small amout of oil leaking on the driveway

Hello. We will be happy to assist you. A few drops a day should not cause too much of a concern but you want to keep your eye on your oil level to make sure it doesn't get too low...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com