hey guys, just been down to local auto sparky to get my air con looked at as was playing up. (wouldnt produce cold air, turned on and all lights where on but no cold air) and he said that the clutch isnt engaging. the relay and the fuse were alright they tested them while i was there... now how hard is it to fix, or does the whole unit need replacing? weird thing is that it was working last summer and a bit thru winter.... anyways any help would be good... :)

cal

In theory the electric magnetic clutch can be replaced although many A/C places will say it either cannot be done or that it's easier to put a new compressor in. From memory, the bearing itself is about $80 and new compressors are about $500 plus regassing. Most Australian cars have the Sanden compressor fitted and I've got the instructions on how to fit it 'somewhere'.....I'll see if I can find it and post.

Edit:...this is the service manual: http://www.sanden.com/images/SD_Service_Guide_Rev.2.pdf

and for Youtube on the clutch etc type "sanden compressor clutch removal" into Google and all will be revealed.

If you do decide to DIY, best/cheapest way is to get an old comp from a wreckr ....just check for continuity on the windings of the clutch and put that clutch on your car. Ebay have cheap comps from time to time.

The air con has a high/low pressure switch to protect the system. It won't engage the clutch if the pressure is too high, or too low. You may just need to have the system refilled with gas.

The air con has a high/low pressure switch to protect the system. It won't engage the clutch if the pressure is too high, or too low. You may just need to have the system refilled with gas.

whats the general pricing of re-gas you rkn? less then 100?

Legally they cannot simply regas - first they do a visual check to find any obvious leak, then add a small amount of R134A plus a leak tracer, then run the system and find where the gas is escaping. when they find the fault they will fix the fault first and then regas. You will also need a new drier as the old one will be buggered if there is no gas left and moisture from the atmosphere saturates it. So the cost for a legal regas can vary from about $200 upwards, however there are cowboys around who will do a quick regas with no guarantee for less money, but unless the cause of the leak is rectified the gas will soon leak out again.

what hako said but in addition its now not even legal for you to diy repair the compressor without a federal licence.
and if you come across a cowboy then please do the rest of us technicians a favour and report them to the ARC (it costs us 1000's to be able to work on AC and these pricks are running rife)

lol Local mechanic tops up with HR12 with no questions asked. lol

hey guys, just been down to local auto sparky to get my air con looked at as was playing up. (wouldnt produce cold air, turned on and all lights where on but no cold air) and he said that the clutch isnt engaging. the relay and the fuse were alright they tested them while i was there... now how hard is it to fix, or does the whole unit need replacing? weird thing is that it was working last summer and a bit thru winter.... anyways any help would be good... :)

cal

hey mate i got a condensor that was professionally reconditioned and sealed if you need. and may have a compressor too

Lets not jump the gun here, could be that the actual switch is faulty etc but sounds like you are well past time for a regas

Generally you would pay around the $180 for a new dryer/filter and regas. Remember that being a third gen you dont have the old gas anyway so that part will not be an issue

Most of the time a leak will be located by the oil that has escaped from the area anyway, anyone worth anything will change valves over anyway as these are often the cause of loss of pressure.

Another question, did you put in Climate during winter or was that someone else?

ah well the sounds of it i might just give the job to someone else to deal with. cheers for the offer tho lowrider.

cheers guys

okayyy thread mine, got some bad news back a while ago, all the electrics within the compressor are kaput apprently, new compressor is 1200$ and fitting was 600$. now im not forking out nearly 2k for a car worth about 4.... so, my question, are TE-TF-TH-TJ-TW-TL compressors all interchangerable, im looking at getting a second hand compressor and fitting it up myself and then getting someone to re-gas and what not... so any help would be great :D

There are heaps available for peanuts - like this one on Ebay for $60 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAGNA-TJ-TL-TW-VERADA-KJ-KL-KW-AIR-CON-COMPRESSOR-/160521869774

okayyy thread mine, got some bad news back a while ago, all the electrics within the compressor are kaput apprently, new compressor is 1200$ and fitting was 600$. now im not forking out nearly 2k for a car worth about 4.... so, my question, are TE-TF-TH-TJ-TW-TL compressors all interchangerable, im looking at getting a second hand compressor and fitting it up myself and then getting someone to re-gas and what not... so any help would be great :D

It's unusual for these to fry themselves, for sure. Have a look at your compressor for brand and model, then get the same from a wreckers. Its illegal AFAIK for normal people to degas an aircon system, depending on the wreckers, you may need to get professional help to do this. Getting one already off a car will avoid this, so the Ebay one sounds good to me. For regassing, the system will need to be purged, a new receiver/dryer installed, gassed up with refrigerant and lubricant, and tested for leaks. You will still be up for that $600 even if you get a second hand one cheaply.

It would probably be easier - and more legal - if you find a newish compressor, then take your car to an air con specialist (without degassing your current system) and ask them to change them over.

There are heaps available for peanuts - like this one on Ebay for $60 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAGNA-TJ-TL-TW-VERADA-KJ-KL-KW-AIR-CON-COMPRESSOR-/160521869774


problem is, does that fit TH? is says TJ onwards, thats what im wondering

How well was the aircon working before it failed?
Did it produce cool air, and switch on and off during idle - this is easy to notice since the engine RPMs change.

Isn't it possible that simply the one puny wire that activates the clutch is faulty or disconnected?

Try measuring the voltage of that wire near the compressor to see if the clutch is getting current.

Check the electrical connections of all the leads coming off the compressor for corrosion.

Don't play with the gas, as one mistake could lead to a case of shatter-fingers.

How well was the aircon working before it failed?
Did it produce cool air, and switch on and off during idle - this is easy to notice since the engine RPMs change.

Isn't it possible that simply the one puny wire that activates the clutch is faulty or disconnected?

Try measuring the voltage of that wire near the compressor to see if the clutch is getting current.

Check the electrical connections of all the leads coming off the compressor for corrosion.

Don't play with the gas, as one mistake could lead to a case of shatter-fingers.

air con worked well before hand, wierd thing aswel is. i press the aircon button now, light comes on, revs drop and everything, but no cold air...at first i thought mabye re-gas but apprently not... i gotta change my engine mount in the next few days so will check the voltage then. and i aint touching the gas... lol