You can expect an average total replacement cost of $192 for a pressure switch replacement, with $81 for parts and $111 for mechanic labor. The exact price will depend on your vehicle.

How long does it take to replace a pressure switch? In general, it takes around 0.9 hours for a certified mechanic to complete the job. Your mechanic will perform a preliminary inspection to determine if a replacement is necessary, then follow through with the full replacement.

Here’s an overview of pressure switch replacement costs for different vehicles:

Pressure switch replacement cost for various vehicles

Estimate Date	Customer	Car	Fair Cost Estimate	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Labor Time
April 23, 2024	Maggie, 24 Alpine, NJ	Mazda 5	$171	$113	$58	0.5 Hours
April 20, 2024	Jerome, 29 Westbrook, ME	Jeep Gladiator	$188	$113	$75	0.5 Hours
April 18, 2024	Cecelia, 33 Dublin, CA	Infiniti Q45	$220	$80	$140	1.0 Hours
April 15, 2024	Rachel, 37 Long Beach, CA	Geo Prizm	$208	$80	$128	1.0 Hours
April 11, 2024	Esther, 45 Columbus, OH	Dodge Stratus	$150	$94	$57	0.5 Hours

How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.

Get a free fair cost estimate for my car

See fair price estimates for popular cars

What parts do I need for my pressure switch replacement?

Fortunately, the pressure switch is an inexpensive part to replace, with the low pressure switch costing between $10 and $40 and the high pressure switch costing around $15 to $60. Unless there are other problems with the AC, you won’t need to replace additional parts.

You can purchase a pressure switch for your common car from retailers like AutoZone, Amazon, and Advance Auto Parts. Some reputable brands we recommend for pressure switches include ACDelco, Standard Motor Products, and BWD.

Keep in mind: You’ll also need a few automotive tools like a socket wrench, ratchet set, wrench set, and eye protection.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?

You won’t see a big price difference between OEM and aftermarket parts, so you could buy whichever part is available. However, if your car is under warranty, read through your paperwork since using an aftermarket replacement part might risk voiding your coverage.

Where can I buy parts for my pressure switch replacement?

Purchase AC pressure switches at your local auto body shop or auto part store, such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts. If they don’t have your part in stock, check online on Amazon or ask the store to special order it for you. It’s vital that you get the same part number, or the electronic components won’t work with your car’s AC.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my pressure switch replaced?

With the rundown on 2,500+ vetted repair shops nationwide, Jerry's

GarageGuard™

can make the search for a mechanic to replace your pressure switch a lot easier.

Jerry's GarageGuard™ compares fair price estimates from local shops using actual hourly rates. You’ll be able to budget for diagnostic fees and see reviews from previous customers to make sure you’ll be happy with your service.

Here’s a look at some of our vetted shops below—and you can download the app to compare car repair quotes in your area.

173 Reviews

JG Auto Sales LLC.

804 W M.L.K. Jr Dr, High Point, NC

AC Pressure Switch Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$131

(Parts - $46, Labor - $85)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$65

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (336) 781-3555

177 Reviews

54th Street Auto Center

415 W 54th St, New York, NY

AC Pressure Switch Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$207

(Parts - $46, Labor - $161)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$191

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (212) 265-3120

140 Reviews

Lucey's Service Station

889 Main St, Salem, MA

AC Pressure Switch Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$145

(Parts - $46, Labor - $99)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$106

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (781) 665-9891

154 Reviews

61 Auto Center

1226 Centre Ave, Reading, PA

AC Pressure Switch Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$96

(Parts - $46, Labor - $50)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$70

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (610) 370-7224

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my pressure switch?

If either type of air conditioning pressure switches is faulty, here is how your mechanic will replace it:

Disconnect the negative battery cable using a wrench

Unscrew the defective high or low pressure switch with a wrench or socket wrench and remove it

Install the new pressure switch and screw it into the compressor

Reconnect the negative battery cable

Start the engine and test the air conditioning

What happens if I drive with a bad AC pressure switch?

Both the high pressure and low pressure switches have to work together in order for the AC to work. If one of them doesn’t, your AC won’t blow cold air into your car, and if you keep trying to use it, you could damage the compressor. Then, you’ll be looking at more expensive car repairs!

What is an AC pressure switch?

A pressure switch is also called a pressure sensor. Your car’s AC has low pressure and high pressure switches that work together to signal refrigerant levels to the compressor. They protect the compressor if the pressure levels are too high or low.

Both of the switches look like small knobs and they’re mounted directly on the compressor. The high pressure switch alerts the compressor of high refrigerant pressure and blockages in the system. The low pressure switch turns off power to the compressor if refrigerant levels are too low to operate correctly.

Both switches are responsible for making the air conditioning system run smoothly

How do I know if my AC pressure switch is bad?

If either switch isn’t working, they’ll typically display the same signs. Here’s what to look for:

AC cycles on and off rapidly: The AC will turn off and on more frequently if one of the pressure switches isn’t doing its job.

AC doesn’t blow cold air: If one of the switches isn’t communicating accurate pressure readings to the compressor, the system can’t make cold air.

AC compressor doesn’t turn on: A broken high pressure switch won’t signal high pressure to the compressor, so the compressor won’t properly pump refrigerant through the system to cool your car. If the low pressure switch is damaged, the compressor could break.

Loud or strange noises: Your AC shouldn’t make any noise if it’s working correctly. If you hear any unusual sounds like clicking or humming, get your AC inspected immediately. These noises could mean that refrigerant pressure is building up.

How often should a pressure switch be replaced?

Pressure switches usually last the life of the vehicle unless a switch malfunctions or gets damaged. Specifically, a pressure switch lasts for 50,000 cycles (turning the system on and running it for about 20 minutes). You only need to replace the switch if it stops working.

Can I replace a pressure switch myself?

If you’re comfortable working on your car’s electronics and disconnecting the battery, you should find replacing a pressure switch pretty easy. It’s actually harder to diagnose the exact problem with an AC unit, since it’s an intricate closed-loop system.

AC problems can be caused by any number of components like a malfunctioning compressor, evaporator, condenser, or blower motor for instance. If you’re not one-hundred percent sure that a pressure switch is bad (and you can identify which one needs to be replaced), get a professional diagnosis.

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FAQs

Where are the pressure switches located?

The high pressure and low pressure switches are both located on the compressor. Look at your car’s diagnostic guide to identify the high pressure side, which is red, to find the high pressure switch. The low pressure side, which is blue, houses the low pressure switch.

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.