AC compressor issues
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
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From: NC
AC compressor issues
About a month ago my 94 ls started making a strange noise under the hood. I have determined that the ac compressor is starting to fail. The ac would work fine but the pulley had excessive movement. So long story short about a week ago the ventilation controls in the car went dead. I believe this is a blown fuse due to the compressor malfunctioning. So I ordered a refurbished compressor from autoinconline.com. It's is a Reman OEM ac compressor. Arrived quickly and tbo, looks brand new. Well my mechanic (family friend) went to install this thing and the connectors are not right. He says it will bolt up fine just no way to hook it up. Anyone have any ideas? I obviously have the wrong part, I think. Or could there be a different model compressor used on different ls400's? Says if will fit ls400 models 91-99. Thanks for any advice.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,278
Likes: 317
From: ct
The only thing I could suggest is going to a pick-n-pull junkyard and find the connector you need and have it changed over. (unless it uses more wires 
) The compressor is probably made for a newer (maybe 95-97) LS400, even though it bolts up fine. But someone else would know more about the A/C then me. Like the king of A/C, LScowboyLS. 
) The compressor is probably made for a newer (maybe 95-97) LS400, even though it bolts up fine. But someone else would know more about the A/C then me. Like the king of A/C, LScowboyLS.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 87
From: Birmingham, AL
In the first place, if the pulley is making noise, then the pulley and/or complete compressor clutch has an issue, not the compressor itself, in any event, no compressor issue or pulley issue will cause the controls to go dead. (you still need heat in the winter, your blower, etc. - Toyota doesn't shut the whole system down)
You need a mechanic strong on Toyota A/C and those are not easy to find, but I wouldn't just start replacing parts all *****-nilly, that is not the way to fix it! If you have the correct complete compressor assembly, it will have the correct clutch coil connector ( I am assuming you mean the coil connector and not the actual suction or discharge ports).
I would slow down and ask enough questions and let us pinpoint the problem, and then buy the appropriate parts!
Start by dumping the A/C diagnostic codes from the ECU and also you need the factory service manual, in order to troubleshoot it.
You need a mechanic strong on Toyota A/C and those are not easy to find, but I wouldn't just start replacing parts all *****-nilly, that is not the way to fix it! If you have the correct complete compressor assembly, it will have the correct clutch coil connector ( I am assuming you mean the coil connector and not the actual suction or discharge ports).
I would slow down and ask enough questions and let us pinpoint the problem, and then buy the appropriate parts!
Start by dumping the A/C diagnostic codes from the ECU and also you need the factory service manual, in order to troubleshoot it.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; Oct 15, 2013 at 11:31 AM.
U dont need to find a shop that is strong on toyota ac issues...thats a load of crap. i have yet to hear a shop turn down ac work simply because its a toyota...find a reputable ac shop and take it there. he is right, the clutch is most likely the culprit...find a used temp control on ebay, they arent that expensive..i already replaced mine
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NC
Guys thanks for the speedy feedback. Went by the mechanics house today after work and compared the new compressor with the old one and they are exactly the same except for the wiring. It's hard to explain but we figured out it should be easy just to swap the wiring from the old compressor to the new one. Also the compressor came complete with a clutch and pulley, fully assembled and filled with oil. My wife was driving the car with the AC on (and working) when the controls died, so I am hoping this is just a blown fuse due to the compressor seizing. Anyway tomorrow is judgement day for the old ls and I will be sure to post the outcome. BTW we bought this car 3 years ago with only 42k on the odometer. 👍
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 87
From: Birmingham, AL
the "wiring" is part of the compressor clutch's coil pack, if you have the correct specialty tools, then swapping the two coils is no problem
I would get some information on how to do this, unless your friend is an A/C specialist - A/C is definitely a different kind of skill that is why it is so difficult to find anyone good at it! - it's kind of the "black art" of the auto mechanics world, that and rebuilding automatic transmissions.
I would get some information on how to do this, unless your friend is an A/C specialist - A/C is definitely a different kind of skill that is why it is so difficult to find anyone good at it! - it's kind of the "black art" of the auto mechanics world, that and rebuilding automatic transmissions.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,278
Likes: 317
From: ct
Trending Topics
hahaha!..I have dyi'ers who borrow our machine to vaccum/flush their own systems out in their garage and do the work themselves and have learned everything from google/internet, while the shops that do it literally have machines that do all the work(http://www.autoserviceprofessional.c...id-a-c-service) besides replace components..ac work is not some sort of lost art..like a good machine shop seems to be! don't get caught up in the hype here..
heres a couple of sites that explains the ins and outs
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...Automotive-AC/
http://autorepair.about.com/od/regul...recharge_2.htm
heres a couple of sites that explains the ins and outs
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...Automotive-AC/
http://autorepair.about.com/od/regul...recharge_2.htm
Last edited by python; Oct 16, 2013 at 05:13 AM.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NC
My car is fixed. The mechanic (friend of my late father-in-law) who works out of his garage swapped the wiring from the old compressor to the new one. Replaced the two fuses that must have blown when the compressor seized, causing the ventilation display and controls to die. This thing now blows colder than ever before. Also it seems to move way more air. During the hottest days I would always have to use the recirculation mode on high just to keep the car cool. Even with pretty dark tint. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help me with this issue.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Redmond wa
Lexus uses an EPR (Evaporator Pressure regulator) valve, variable opening downstream of the evaporator, leftover cooling capacity is absorbed by the engine compartment heat via the pipe running across the firewall behind the engine.
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