Air Conditioning failed on 2014 Taco - Whats a reasonable price to replace a compressor?

Was driving along the other week when all of a sudden I had a squealing noise from the AC. I turned the fan to off and the sound went away. Turned it back on and it came back for a bit then stopped. The AC light started flashing and my windows all fogged up suddenly. Ever since the AC no longer blows cold and the AC light flashes.

Looking in the engine bay things look fine with the belt. When I turn the AC on the pulley on the compressor engages and seems to be spinning fine. I also notice an intermittent rattling sound that wasn't there before. Suspect that sound would be the metal bits from the compressor grenading

Brought her in to get a quote. They guy topped off the refrigerant just in case but that was no go. Got a call this morning with a quote to replace the compressor with OEM parts at $1300/parts+labor. Does this sound reasonable?

 

Might be worth checking this thread out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-clutch-failure-how-to-fix-blinking-light-squealing.448009/

 

$1300 is way high. The kit, which includes a compressor, dryer and orifice tube, and refrigerant, should be around $300-400. So $1,000 to install? No way. That's insane. $700 total is what I paid last time for my previous vehicle, a 2004 Silverado.

 

I'll also note the quote was from a local shop, not a dealer

 

might just need a new rubber clutch piece seperated take a look before jumping into a new compressor, its always a knee jerk reaction from these auto places to assume you need the whole compressor not just a replacement piece for $20
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/air-conditioning-clutch-failed.335699/

 

HIi Nick here .This happened to me few months ago Have a 12 4x4 wit 93000. Had to replace more than just compressor I had to pay over 2000.00 was not happy San Francisco where I live everything costs more Everything works good now .le us know how it woks out

 

do yourself a favor OP, read this thread before dumping money on what the auto place says

 

mine was done by my long time trusted mechanic

 

Definitely, I'll give that a closer look this afternoon! The pulley is definitely spinning when the AC is on but that's all I've confirmed really. There hasn't been any squealing since the failure just the occasional rattle I notice mostly when idling, would that make sense for a failed clutch?

 

From what I've read; if the compressor grenaded, more than likely there could be bits inside the system. Also I guess most won't warranty unless you replace the dryer as well. And of course, it's part of the condenser and not a separate part.

Behind that rubber seal on the firewall where the lines connect, is the expansion valve. It has a screen in the tubes, but needs to be removed in order to access them. 1 torx head bolt behind that rubber seal and it'll pull out.

Good luck in getting it fixed.

 

The rattle I was hearing looks to be unrelated. I heard it when I closed the drivers side door with the engine off. Looked under and found this heat shield on an exhaust component right under the drivers side looks to be loose. Gonna take the skid plate off, see if I can get a better look at that clutch/pulley

 

First bolt on the skid plate sheared right off on me lol. Since I dont have any PB Blaster or replacement bolts on hand I left the others alone. I did manage to take a pic of the pulley/clutch. The rubber does look pretty janky

 

The whole dash has too come apart to replace the dryer,thats why the labor is sky high.

 

Another guy just did his a week or so ago, used this part. Little better than $1200.

$27 labwork AC Compressor Clutch Hub Replacement for Toyota Tacoma 4 Cyl 6 Cyl 2.7L 4.0L 2005-2016

https://www.amazon.com/labwork-Comp...h+assembly+2006+tacoma&qid=1595503457&sr=8-11

 

remove that 8mm bolt in the center some one says use a 6 point socket on it so it wont strip, be carefull theres also spacer washers when you pull it off don't lose them, and check it out looks pretty cooked

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-AC-Com...29721?fits=Year:2014|Model:Tacoma|Make:Toyota if the AC clutch still moves in and out when the AC is turned on that means the magnetic part is still functioning, I wouldn't run it at all if its making noises could be just the rubber part disintagrated

 

I had the same symptoms. I took a gamble and ordered a new AC clutch. I only replaced the clutch hub and I was back in business with cold AC. It's worth the gamble. From the looks of the pic, the hub looks like it's toast.....

 

Mine died on me too, 2013 with like 98000 miles. I have extended warranty covered. Dealer price was like $1200 or so.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-Compre...&brand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1