AC Compressor Frozen

[Ignignot]

Been a long winter and the front AC unit is having trouble. Pressing the auto CC button makes the engine groan and slow and after a couple seconds, it goes to normal and i get a message on the infotainment screen abput an Air Conditioner Malfunction.

Whats the popular option for diasnosing/replacing these? Let the dealer do it? Independent mechanic? Driveway? Do guys get new OEM or rebuilds or is there a quality aftermarket part? Are there other things that should be replaced at the same time?

 

[Rednexus]

Been a long winter and the front AC unit is having trouble. Pressing the auto CC button makes the engine groan and slow and after a couple seconds, it goes to normal and i get a message on the infotainment screen abput an Air Conditioner Malfunction.

Whats the popular option for diasnosing/replacing these? Let the dealer do it? Independent mechanic? Driveway? Do guys get new OEM or rebuilds or is there a quality aftermarket part? Are there other things that should be replaced at the same time?

Auto AC is doable, but requires some special tools (at the minimum, a set of manifold gauges, a vacuum pump, and a R134A can tap). Your system might have just lost all of it's freon (in which case you'd need to find the leak, repair the system, vacuum it down, and then refill it), or it might have something else wrong with it. You can usually diagnose all of that with the manifold gauges, so I'd start there and see what they tell you.

Otherwise...a new Denso compressor is only around $250 on Rock Auto. Once you figure out the manifold gauges, auto AC is not hard to work on. If the system is full of freon, you should have it evacuated by an AC shop instead of venting it to the air (as it's a both an asphyxiant and a potent greenhouse gas). If it's already empty, then you can probably DIY all of it if you are willing to buy the tools and learn. I would replace the drier if you open the system up at all. If the compressor is dead, you should also replace the condenser (as it's easy to get to and may be full of junk). You should flush out all the other lines (going into the evaporator core) to remove any debris, and make sure the compressor is filled with oil.

 

[Ignignot]

I have the "rear AC" controls in my car. Its a 2008. It does not have kdss.
My primary AC locks up when i try to use it. Do i get the top or the bottom pump?

 

[OG Zuninja]

I also have rear HVAC controls. This is what I get after plugging in my VIN to Bell Lexus parts:

And using that p/n in RA's search:

And here's that part at Summit because RA can eat a whole bag of veiny dicks: Denso Products 471-1005 Denso Air Conditioning Compressors | Summit Racing - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dnp-471-1005

A bit pricier but you'll get better customer service should anything happen. Or for a few doll hairs more, get the OEM one from Bell Lexus. Pretty sure both offer free shipping for the price and it equals out to RA's lower price that doesn't include shipping.

 

[Ignignot]

I also have rear HVAC controls. This is what I get after plugging in my VIN to Bell Lexus parts:
View attachment 4122404
And using that p/n in RA's search:
View attachment 4122405
And here's that part at Summit because RA can eat a whole bag of veiny dicks: Denso Products 471-1005 Denso Air Conditioning Compressors | Summit Racing - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dnp-471-1005

A bit pricier but you'll get better customer service should anything happen. Or for a few doll hairs more, get the OEM one from Bell Lexus. Pretty sure both offer free shipping for the price and it equals out to RA's lower price that doesn't include shipping.

I saw that the compressor is not too expensive on belle lexus but that one doesmt include the clutch which adds another $175. Im gonna go with the denso 4711005. Thank you for the help!

 

[Ignignot]

Parts: $400 (denso compressor, OSC condenser, 4 seasons o rings)
Labor: $1150 (6.5 hours $150/hr + tax + shop supplies)

I would do the work myself, but im already in for 2 hours for the refridgerant drain and fills, and they can flush it nad i cant. so i would rather just pay to have them do the other 5 hours today instead of drive it back and forth to the mechanic over the next few weeks while i find time to rip it apart in my driveway spending another hundred on ubers after dropping it off, etc...

Heres hoping i get 240,000mi out of this one.

 

[Ignignot]

Was just informed by the garage the OSC condensor I ordered is not the right part.
Thie OSC 3283 (w/ dual AC) did not fit my 2008 auto AC gx470.

Boy that (w/dual AC was misleading)


They did confirm we got the compressor right at least

 

[jjumper0101]

I also have rear HVAC controls. This is what I get after plugging in my VIN to Bell Lexus parts:
View attachment 4122404
And using that p/n in RA's search:
View attachment 4122405
And here's that part at Summit because RA can eat a whole bag of veiny dicks: Denso Products 471-1005 Denso Air Conditioning Compressors | Summit Racing - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dnp-471-1005

A bit pricier but you'll get better customer service should anything happen. Or for a few doll hairs more, get the OEM one from Bell Lexus. Pretty sure both offer free shipping for the price and it equals out to RA's lower price that doesn't include shipping.

lmao. I'm genuinely curious, whats up with the RA hate?

 

[OG Zuninja]

lmao. I'm genuinely curious, whats up with the RA hate?

You'd have to peruse my build thread for the why but the short story is they offered me $30 for an AISIN water pump that failed within 150 miles of install.