turbosix

damn it.

You would think lexus would disable the compressor @ WOT to prevent crap like this from happening. aghhghgh.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

what happened?

steveski

How many miles are on your car? How did the compressor go out? I wonder if you will need a new dryer bottle, etc. - normally the silica substance in the dryer bottle is sucked through the lines.

turbosix

went WOT to catch up to a friend, at about 5,500 rpm i hear this weird squeal that sounds like a belt slipped for a split second, the car kinda jerked and then my friend noticed the AC light blink a few times and turn itself off.

i was like WTF? so i slowed down to a lower rpm and tried to turn it on again. another squeal/squeak, the car jerked again, and blink blink blink.. turned itself off again.

parked and i popped the hood and asked him to turn it on again, the engine almost stalled and he turned it off real quick. its locked up for sure

turbosix

oh and car has prob around 140-150k

odo stopped @ 128,xxx and i dont really pay attention hehe

steveski

Interesting information - soundsl ike a compressor failure but strange that the failsafe mechanism (pully or clutch) did not kick in. The fact that it almost killed your engine is crazy. Normally when a compressor dies it does not do that. I will be interested for other's input on this one.

Bill Dowd

Have you checked the compressor clutch to see if froze up with the compressor normally the clutch can free wheel while the compressor freezes up. What I have heard dont quote me on this but some people leave the comperssor off for months at a time and the oil and freon seperate causing the compressor to have little oil. The people at a compressor rebuilder tell his customers always turn on the compressor in the winter with the heat on just for about 15 minutes a week the car won't get cold you just hit the compressor button run it and just turn it off again. They also say not to turn the compressor on when it has been off for several months while on the freeway going 70mph it due to is slams the compressor on, they say turn it on while in town as not to shock it and your compressor will last for a long time My compressor is a 1991 with 190,000 miles and works just fine and still uses R12 freon I always turn on the compressor in town before I get on the freeway as to ease on line. There is a saying with compressors don't use it and you will lose it so run it year round.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I've had compressors and alternators seize...most have electronic engagement or safety clutch so when it fails, it just spins. Such was the case with the alternator in mine the past month. Only time they don't were in much older cars that had a separate belt drive. Keep us posted as to what caused this.

turbosix

well the clutch isnt seized as the car runs fine until i turn on the compressor and the clutch engages and drags the engine down / ****s up my serpentine belt..

im probably not even going to mess with it for now... summer is basically over and its about to start to get nicer outside here in texas... i'll just save up over winter.

steveski

Sorry to hear that bro - I guess it doesn't have a safety mechanism as you say to allow the clutch to spin - hard to believe Lexus didn;t add that - as you noted earlier. When you have to change it call Carson Toyota and talk to Luis - I think he has the best prices for OEM Lexus parts.