What issue would cause warm to slightly cool air in an A/C system with low pressures?

The presence of warm to slightly cool air in an A/C system that exhibits low pressures typically indicates that the refrigerant is not effectively absorbing heat from the inside air. When a condenser is plugged, the refrigerant cannot properly release the heat it has absorbed, which leads to higher pressures on the condenser side and prevents the system from cooling effectively.

In a plugged condenser scenario, the heat exchange process is disrupted, resulting in refrigerant that may be superheated, reducing its capability to cool the air passing over the evaporator coils. Consequently, the air coming out of the vents will feel warm or not sufficiently cold, as the refrigerant is not in the optimal phase for absorbing heat from the interior space.

In contrast, a clogged orifice tube or a restricted receiver/dryer would interfere with refrigerant flow but may not directly lead to low pressure in the system, while an expansion valve stuck closed would typically cause the system to experience excessive pressure on the high side, rather than cooling issues tied specifically to low pressure conditions.