Air Condition Melt down
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4
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From: Alabama
Air Condition Melt down
Hey All,
The entire Air conditioning system died (according to the dealer) of my 1994 SC400, and the dealer is telling me that it will be $2000.00 to repair and replace pretty much every component of the system. Has anyone else has this problem?
If so, are there any less expensive alternatives to repairing the AC system?
Thanks in advance!
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
The entire Air conditioning system died (according to the dealer) of my 1994 SC400, and the dealer is telling me that it will be $2000.00 to repair and replace pretty much every component of the system. Has anyone else has this problem?
If so, are there any less expensive alternatives to repairing the AC system?
Thanks in advance!
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
From: Canada
First we need a little more detail. I've never heard of the climate control unit 'melting'. I have had problems before... so I know a bit about the a/c system. First, does the climate control unit work?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 2
From: California
Yeah...
Is the climate control unit working?
Is the AC blowing warm air?
Was there any freon left in the system?
If it is indeed the whole AC, which I doubt, then $2k is an amazing price. I believe some of the components would require getting in through the dash so the labor alone would be real expensive.
Is the climate control unit working?
Is the AC blowing warm air?
Was there any freon left in the system?
If it is indeed the whole AC, which I doubt, then $2k is an amazing price. I believe some of the components would require getting in through the dash so the labor alone would be real expensive.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
More detail
Thanks for the replies,
What I meant by meltdown was the whole system failed, the compressor, the clutch, etc....
Nothing is working, the AC light blinks and no cold air comes out at all. When I took it to the Lexus dealer they said that every component of the AC system needed to be replaced.
At one point while my wife was driving behind me, I tried to engage the AC while driving on the freeway and she told me that she saw a small puff of smoke.
If I do have to replce the whole system is there a cheaper alternative to the 2000.00 that the dealer is telling me?
Hope this helps.
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
What I meant by meltdown was the whole system failed, the compressor, the clutch, etc....
Nothing is working, the AC light blinks and no cold air comes out at all. When I took it to the Lexus dealer they said that every component of the AC system needed to be replaced.
At one point while my wife was driving behind me, I tried to engage the AC while driving on the freeway and she told me that she saw a small puff of smoke.
If I do have to replce the whole system is there a cheaper alternative to the 2000.00 that the dealer is telling me?
Hope this helps.
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: CT
Compressor, clutch, freon, had to replace all of it in my 92. The dealer wanted $1600, but I do most of my repairs myself, took me about a day, and saved a lot of money, just paid for parts! 2K's a little high, try to negotiate
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Lexus dealer said my AC system was shot when it stopped working, and the entire AC system needed replacement to the tune of $2800 so don't feel too bad when they quoted you $2K. 
Ofcourse I laughed at the quote left. 
I fixed the problem myself and replaced few maintenance parts while I was at it for less than $150 + freon. 
Ofcourse I laughed at the quote left. I fixed the problem myself and replaced few maintenance parts while I was at it for less than $150 + freon.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 4
From: The State of Oz
Re: More detail
Originally posted by Maximilien
Thanks for the replies,
What I meant by meltdown was the whole system failed, the compressor, the clutch, etc....
Nothing is working, the AC light blinks and no cold air comes out at all. When I took it to the Lexus dealer they said that every component of the AC system needed to be replaced.
At one point while my wife was driving behind me, I tried to engage the AC while driving on the freeway and she told me that she saw a small puff of smoke.
If I do have to replce the whole system is there a cheaper alternative to the 2000.00 that the dealer is telling me?
Hope this helps.
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
Thanks for the replies,
What I meant by meltdown was the whole system failed, the compressor, the clutch, etc....
Nothing is working, the AC light blinks and no cold air comes out at all. When I took it to the Lexus dealer they said that every component of the AC system needed to be replaced.
At one point while my wife was driving behind me, I tried to engage the AC while driving on the freeway and she told me that she saw a small puff of smoke.
If I do have to replce the whole system is there a cheaper alternative to the 2000.00 that the dealer is telling me?
Hope this helps.
Maximilien
Tampa, FL
1994 SC 400
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 2
From: California
Re: Re: More detail
Originally posted by Lexozz
First thing you should do is recharge your system with freon, its possible that it ran out and of course when there's no freon the a/c light will blink and most of all your compressor will not work if there's is no freon to operate it. So get that done and F$$K the dealer, exuse my tone but it pisses me off when they try to rob us loyal customers.
First thing you should do is recharge your system with freon, its possible that it ran out and of course when there's no freon the a/c light will blink and most of all your compressor will not work if there's is no freon to operate it. So get that done and F$$K the dealer, exuse my tone but it pisses me off when they try to rob us loyal customers.
And more important is not to run the AC if you think there is no freon. The freon is actually a mix of the gas and oil. No oil running through the system means possible damage to the internals.
Last edited by Hermosa; Dec 27, 2002 at 04:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Thank you!
Hey there,
Thanks for all of your replies, I really appreciate the advice!
I think I will check out the list of parts needed and do it myself and save some cash.
If there is anyone in the Tampa area who has done this before and you want some free pizza and beer if you come over to help, let me know.
Thanks again
Maximilien
Thanks for all of your replies, I really appreciate the advice!
I think I will check out the list of parts needed and do it myself and save some cash.
If there is anyone in the Tampa area who has done this before and you want some free pizza and beer if you come over to help, let me know.
Thanks again
Maximilien
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 2
From: California
Originally posted by Dimcorner
if you want r12 i can get the cans for 8 bux each... I have a spare one in my car right now.
if you want r12 i can get the cans for 8 bux each... I have a spare one in my car right now.
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