Cause
Faulty air conditioning compressor
The compressor itself failed — seized, worn, or unable to build pressure. It is the expensive conclusion, and almost everything cheaper produces the same complaint: low refrigerant, a failed clutch coil, a blocked condenser or a module refusing to engage it.
Establish which before ordering. A compressor whose clutch engages with a clear click and whose pulley turns freely is probably fine; one that is seized stops the belt or squeals. Low pressure differential across it with the clutch engaged is the measurement that condemns it. A seized compressor is a system-wide event: it sheds debris through the whole circuit, so the condenser, the expansion valve and the drier must be replaced or flushed with it — a replacement fitted into a contaminated system fails again quickly.
Typically specialist work. Needs equipment or training most home workshops do not have.
Codes this can cause (1)
Codes where this is a likely explanation first, rather than merely a possible one.
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