Where is the A/C Compressor Located?

Your car’s air conditioning (A/C) compressor pressurizes and distributes refrigerant throughout the A/C system. Without a functional compressor, your car’s A/C system wouldn’t work, which would be a real bummer.

If you’re new to automotive repair or cars in general, you might not know where the A/C compressor is located, and that’s okay. We’re here to help you find the compressor and become more acquainted with how it works.

Where is the A/C Compressor Typically Located?

On traditional, internal combustion-powered vehicles (and some hybrids), the A/C compressor is driven off the engine by a belt. Because of this, the compressor is located at the front of the engine with the rest of the belt-driven accessories (i.e., alternator, etc.).

Parts of an A/C Compressor

While a growing number of compressors are the variable-displacement type, which can vary the amount of refrigerant the compressor moves through the system, most still have what’s referred to as a positive-displacement design.

A positive displacement compressor moves a fixed amount of refrigerant through the A/C system for a given cycle. All positive-displacement compressors have a clutch, which consists of a front plate and an electromagnetic coil. There’s also a pulley that rides on a bearing.

Whenever the vehicle is running, the compressor’s pulley is driven off the engine by the drive belt. Then when you turn on the A/C, the clutch coil engages, creating an electromagnetic field that pulls the clutch plate against the pulley, forcing the compressor to turn along with the pulley.

A/C Compressor Location Diagram

Are you ready to locate your car’s A/C compressor? You’ll typically find the compressor at the front of the engine compartment, where it’s driven off the drive belt.

Note: This is a generic location diagram. Consult a repair manual or repair database to determine the exact location of your car’s A/C compressor.

Tips When Trying to Access the A/C Compressor

Usually, the A/C compressor isn’t that difficult to access, but there are some things to keep in mind if you plan to replace the compressor.

Before the compressor can be removed, the refrigerant must be recovered from the A/C system so that it doesn’t escape into the atmosphere. Then after the new compressor is installed, the system must be evacuated and recharged with refrigerant.

Because the recovery and recharge process requires special equipment, the job is typically best left to a professional.