If both low-side and high-side pressures are below normal, what could be a potential issue?

When both low-side and high-side pressures are below normal, a system undercharge is a likely issue. An undercharged system means that there is insufficient refrigerant in the system, which can hamper the ability to absorb or release heat effectively. Consequently, the pressures drop as there is not enough refrigerant to sustain normal operational levels.

In a properly charged system, the refrigerant travels through the components, maintaining designed pressures that facilitate heat exchange at both the evaporator and condenser. When the refrigerant level is low, it affects the pressure readings on both sides. The low-side pressure indicates how much refrigerant is available to absorb heat in the evaporator, while the high-side pressure reflects the refrigerant's ability to dissipate heat in the condenser.

While defective switches, restrictions, or airflow issues can cause pressures to be outside normal ranges, they usually result in specific patterns of pressure readings rather than uniformly low pressures on both sides. An undercharged system typically presents as both sides reflecting low pressure due to the overall lack of refrigerant necessary for effective system operation.