A/c Compressor Seized

[lexfourcam]

well having no a/c finally got to me after i started fixing a few things on the car and today i realizeid my compressor isnt even turning! is it totally done or is it just compressor clutch?

[curiousB]

Well if the pulley with the belt it turning freely that should be easy to observe. If that were seized the belt would be howling and the pulley would be getting very hot.

After this is becomes a question of whether the clutch is engaging. It’s electromechanical so if you have a DVM you can measure to see if the 12 volt signal is coming to the clutch to turn it on. If no signal is present you could maybe get a spare wire from the battery and test inject to the compressor directly to see if the clutch engages. I wouldn’t let it run too long in this mode as there may be a valid reason in the system logic why the signal has been disabled. If this is the case the mystery is why isn't there a signal present.

If the signal is there but the clutch isn't engaging then it could be a burnt out coil in the clutch. Checking the DC resistance of the coil will tell you if it open circuit (blown coil) or shorted to ground wires burned and contacted ground metal. Some say if the clutch is gone you should replace the whole compressor assembly because it has likely overheated and the compressor seals become compromised. That’s a judgment call on your part if you just want to replace the clutch or the whole compressor.

If the clutch is engaging and compressor is turning then you could have a refrigerant leak.

This is a highly simplified checklist of things to look at. Beyond this it might be best for an AC expert.

[lexfourcam]

the pulley is not turning at all. and i remember it kinda sounded like a bird chirping and id pour some oil (idiot way) and it would go away. but today i did noticed its stopped. not making a squealing noise but im sure that it could cause my belt to break earlier than expected. is there any posible way to run a smaller belt and not connect it to the ac pulley? i kno they used to do it on old muscle cars with a/c but idk about the clearance for the other pulleys and the belt.

[curiousB]

hmmmm you'll need to do something. If you oiled it enough to slip and not heat up (which I doubt you could do) then the other equipment on the same belt won't work properly (alternator, power steering pump, water pump). Otherwise the belt will heat up and break pretty quick and you'll be stuck without a charging system, overheated engine, and poor steering... not good.

Be sure the pulley is not stuck. The picture attached shows the center portion of the CLUTCH Item A) is stationary when the clutch is turned off while item B will turn with the belt. So when you say the pulley is stuck do you mean item B?

[lexfourcam]

you're totally right the pulleys moving. i got a flash light and looked at it my eyes cant see in dark places very well. im really thinkin about replacing the compressor, but it seems theres alot of work involved. i also heard the system should be flushed because they break apart sometimes, and leave metal that would ruin the new one on. thanks for the help

[AcidFire52]

My compressor and clutch seized up nicely on my 97.

I replaced it without a lot of issue. Out and in under 1 hour.

[ROYT]

Have someone check the aircon for refrigerant.

On earlier models, mine is a '94, the compressor will not try to run without refrigerent.

It's part of the design, after recharging mine worked fine..

[VBdenny]

I had my car over to the local Toyota dealer today where a friend is service manager. He had my AC checked out by a Lexus certified tech and he confirmed that my compressor had indeed gone south. He said he will have an exact price to replace it but said it involves around 12 hours of labor plus parts. This will probably put the repair around $2K+ which I am not going to put into this car. Since I have other vehicles, I just won't drive this much during summer months. Rather disappointing since everything else on the car is perfect.

[lexfourcam]

turns out you were right royt. when we added refrigerant the ac compressor started spinning again. i also noticed my 2 fans that blow on the condenser are not working. they're plugged in but there is no voltage coming out of the wire. i actually have a leak in one of the a/c lines somewhere, and im gonna put some dye in when it quits blowing so then i can fix the leak.

[VBdenny]

just got back from Toyota. The estimate was $2500 to repair the AC.

[lexfourcam]

wow that's highway robbery. what can you expect from those people though? acidfire said he got his done in an hour. i doubt the compressors hard to take out, but you could also have a leak in a line somewhere like i did. if it blows hot id try to recharge it, thats what i did. it'll work for a few days, unless you dont have a leak.

[TexasLexus94]

VBdenny, my A/C light started blinking last fall, with no A/C. So I shut it off, and used the car through the winter. One thing I did was to recharge the A/C with leak sealer. Then late Spring, here in Vegas, I had to try again, and the A/C light started blinking again. No A/C. So I was driving to a casino a week later, and I punched the A/C button, and Meenga-it runs like it's new. Will blow you out of the car. Been running now for 2 months in 100 degree heat. So I'm not sure why the system came back to life, but it's fine with me.

Best of luck.

[VBdenny]

Tex, I certainly hope that whatever it is, that it is catching. I added some R-134a and the compressor will run but I can hear a lot of noises, none of them good. After running for less than a minute, it cuts off. Yeah, I know it sounds like highway robbery but that is the deal. Doing the job correctly is listed at 12 hours labor and even Toyota has to go to Lexus to get most of the parts. The tech said it is a nasty job, especially to get at the evaporator. As I have heard, one these things go then send metal particals throughout the system.

As nice as this car is, it isn't worth $2500 to me to have ac for awhile.

[TexasLexus94]

VBdenny, it might be worth waiting for the "Cash for Clunkers" program. It starts July 26, and runs into September. It gives you $3,500 or $4,500 to buy a more fuel efficient car. I've checked the govt website, and it says our 1st gens get 18 mpg, which is the limit for clunkers. So depending on what you buy new, you can drive a great deal. I haven't confirmed that our cars are clunkers "for sure", but I think I'm right.

My 94LS is driving like a top, but you know, yesterday, we had a light rain (rare here in LV), and the windshield washer dealy would not work. No big deal in the desert, but things are slowly deteriorating on our old cars. If the p/s pump goes, the car goes. Same with a bunch of other stuff....Best of luck.

[AcidFire52]

Tex, I certainly hope that whatever it is, that it is catching. I added some R-134a and the compressor will run but I can hear a lot of noises, none of them good. After running for less than a minute, it cuts off. Yeah, I know it sounds like highway robbery but that is the deal. Doing the job correctly is listed at 12 hours labor and even Toyota has to go to Lexus to get most of the parts. The tech said it is a nasty job, especially to get at the evaporator. As I have heard, one these things go then send metal particals throughout the system.

As nice as this car is, it isn't worth $2500 to me to have ac for awhile.

I can see that much if they are replacing the evaporator, that is buried in the dash. If your compressor just seized up, i would think your evaporator should be fine. The compressor is not hard at all. Couple clips, the 2 AC lines, 3 bolts and it comes right out. And, a compressor from the dealer is a TON of money. I got a used one for $75.

[ROYT]

Local to me aircon specialist recharged mine not Lexus.

I expected a five minute job, he was there two hours.

Had elaborate unit of containers and lines on a small trolley.

Apparently to be done right the system has to evacuated and god knows what before

recharging etc and also a small amount of special oil is in there too.

Cost me £50, think about 80 dollars US.