What is the most likely cause of a starved evaporator?

A starved evaporator condition occurs when there isn't enough refrigerant entering the evaporator coil, preventing it from absorbing heat effectively. A low refrigerant charge directly leads to this situation, as it means there's insufficient refrigerant in the system to circulate and evaporate within the evaporator.

When the refrigerant level is low, the evaporator does not receive the necessary amount of refrigerant to function properly, thus causing inadequate cooling and potential icing issues. This situation can result from leaks in the system or improper charging during maintenance.

While other factors, such as a clogged line or a malfunctioning expansion valve, can also affect refrigerant flow and the overall performance of the cooling system, the defining characteristic of a starved evaporator is specifically tied to the low refrigerant charge condition, making it the most likely cause in this scenario.