New A/C seized up today (1 Viewer)

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I had the old A/C compressor and clutch pulley replaced with new Toyota parts a few weeks ago and today driving on the street, I heard a noise and then saw more and more smoke coming out from under the hood.

I pulled over and found the A/C belts was smoking because the A/C pulley was frozen while the engine was turning. I was able to borrow someone's heavy garden clippers which allowed me to clip the belt and get back on the road again. Strange thing was that everything ran fine except the A/C of course but also, all the power windows and sunroof would not work, nor would the climate control fan or the instrument cluster.

Wondering if I have a compressor problem or an electrical problem?
 
Sounds like the clutch or the compressor itself seized up. This can cause a fuse to be blown so check your fuses because that is likely why your windows and such aren't working.

Did you use oem parts for the ac system?

Did you do the work or a shop?

I wonder if the system got recharged with no pag....
 
I should have mentioned that the instrument cluster was not working after this. I checked the fuses and found the 10 amp fuse blown. Replaced the fuse and the instruments are working again. I checked the two 30A fuses which I thought were for the power windows but they were fine. Is there another fuse to check for the power windows?

A/C compressor and clutch were direct from Mr T. The shop that did the work is a Toyota specialist of many years so I'm still scratching my head.

Also not sure how a seized compressor would over draw current on other circuits?

I suppose it could have been a bad compressor. Never returned anything to the dealer yet. I wonder what the warranty is on new Toyota parts that I have installed myself?
 
I should have mentioned that the instrument cluster was not working after this. I checked the fuses and found the 10 amp fuse blown. Replaced the fuse and the instruments are working again. I checked the two 30A fuses which I thought were for the power windows but they were fine. Is there another fuse to check for the power windows?

A/C compressor and clutch were direct from Mr T. The shop that did the work is a Toyota specialist of many years so I'm still scratching my head.

Also not sure how a seized compressor would over draw current on other circuits?

I suppose it could have been a bad compressor. Never returned anything to the dealer yet. I wonder what the warranty is on new Toyota parts that I have installed myself?
Did you add oil to the compressor BEFORE installing it and taking the truck to a=the shop to have the AC evacuated and charged?

You're supposed to add PAG oil (Assuming you're running R134) to a new compressor IN ADDITION to what is placed in the system. Was the new compressor supplied WITH PAG oil already in it? Any instructions, or warning tags?
 
Good questions. I just dropped off the box I got from dealer at the shop. Never opened it to see if there were any instructions. I guess I am going to learn a lesson now.

Is it possible all the 134A and oil leaked out and caused it to seize? It ran great for a day and half before this happened.

Windows and everything else are working now with the fuse replacement. I was thinking if the compressor seized on the road, could that have slowed the engine rpm down briefly which slowed the alternator as well which dropped the voltage from 14v to 12v which then caused the current to increase at the same load?
 
Most new compressors do not have sufficient oil in them for operation. Just residual from assembly. You almost always have to add oil, before you add refrigerant, unless the unit is specifically marked that is already fully oiled and ready to go. If you missed that step it would probably live a day or two but would seize up with any significant use.
 
I would have a different shop remove the compressor and attempt to quantify the amount of pag oil.

If you can show that the system didn't have enough pag oil than you could have the new shop fix it and send a bill to the original shop to pay for the repairs.......
 
I would have a different shop remove the compressor and attempt to quantify the amount of pag oil.

If you can show that the system didn't have enough pag oil than you could have the new shop fix it and send a bill to the original shop to pay for the repairs.......
If only it were that easy. Most shops won’t warranty the work because they did not use their parts. Curious to see how this one plays out.
 
I had the old A/C compressor and clutch pulley replaced with new Toyota parts a few weeks ago and today driving on the street, I heard a noise and then saw more and more smoke coming out from under the hood.

I don't think you said why you replaced the compressor. If the old one seized, then you could have metal shards in the lines, requiring the system to be disassembled and blown out with cleaner. I suppose there may be other failure modes besides seizing that send shrapnel through the system, too.
 
I should have added that detail. The clutch was making a bad noise when cold that would eventually go away when when it warmed up. The shop recommended replacing the compressor at the same time because of the mileage (250K) plus the fact it was original. Both parts were sourced from dealer.

It is going to be interesting to see how it plays out between my favorite dealer, my favorite inde shop and me. I go way back with the dealer and the shop, back to when i got my first 40 almost 30 years ago. I've been a customer for parts at the dealer and service at the shop that long and they have both gotten a lot bigger over the years. I have always recommended both to others. We'll see if I continue to after this.
 
Update: So the shop had it for a few days to investigate. They confirmed the new compressor was seized and found no debris in the system as far as they could tell. They worked directly with Toyota to replace it. They performed the full service and even replaced the belt I had to cut so I could drive home when it seized. All at N/C to me. There was of course the break down and down time while the Cruiser was in the shop but I am pretty happy overall. I would mention the name of the shop but know that is not good practice on the Board. Suffice to say they are the Inde Toyota shop in Mountain View, CA that have been in business for 30+ years and are well known in these parts.
 
Sounds like they did right by you in fixing it.

Also sounds like the original issue could have been fixed with a new $20 compressor front bearing, which can be changed without breaking open the system. Hard to say :meh:


I don't think anyone has objections to you giving a good business a shout out.
 
Update: So the shop had it for a few days to investigate. They confirmed the new compressor was seized and found no debris in the system as far as they could tell. They worked directly with Toyota to replace it. They performed the full service and even replaced the belt I had to cut so I could drive home when it seized. All at N/C to me. There was of course the break down and down time while the Cruiser was in the shop but I am pretty happy overall. I would mention the name of the shop but know that is not good practice on the Board. Suffice to say they are the Inde Toyota shop in Mountain View, CA that have been in business for 30+ years and are well known in these parts.

Great news!!!! It's good to know there are still quality shops doing things right.

This is why it pays to have a good relationship with a good shop/tech.
 
It does pay to work with a good inde shop. Almost 30 years ago when I first got my 40, this same shop rebuilt the carb for me and did a great job. Their LandCruiser tech retired some years after that and they couldn't service the old 40 through 80s anymore so I lost touch with them for a few years. I was driving by this year and saw the shop still busy as ever and decided to give them a call. Sure enough they have a new generation of techs in now and some of them love to work on the old L/C models so I am a new/old customer once again.
 

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