Air Conditioning Clutch failed

2010 4 cyl 2WD Taco with 70,000 KM...

Last weekend whild rriving down the highway, I hear a whining noise from the engine bay followed by the A/C light blinking and the vents no longer blowing cold air.

When I got to my destination, I had a look under the hood and it was clear that the air conditioning compressor clutch had failed. The outer steel ring separated from the rubber. When you turn on the air conditioning, you see the clutch try to engage, but it doesn't catch. Thankfully it still freewheels properly so it's not chewing up the serpentine belt.

No luck getting it addressed under any warranty

In my search for replacement parts, I can't find the clutch pulley anywhere! You can buy a full compressor, but it seems like a waste of parts, time and money to swap the whole compressor when it's just the clutch that's bad. So, I have a few questions:

- Is the A/C compressor the same on 4 cyl and v6 models?
- What is the part number/model of the compressor? (I believe it's a Delphi unit)
- Is there ANYWHERE that I can find the A/C clutch without having to buy the whole compressor?

 

Yeah with out special tools you never get it off. Before you go any order a clutch it might be a good ideal to find out why the clutch quit.

 

Every thread I've seen seems to talk about replacing the compressor with a new one.

I think the reason the clutch quit is pretty simple... I'm not the only one who's had this issue:
The compressor (and clutch) was made by Delphi, A supplier to GM who, at the time the compressor was manufactured, was going through bankruptcy. I would not be surprised if there were quality control issues there.

Bloody dealer wants $1300 to replace the compressor. Nope, not gonna happen.

Why, Toyota, Why did you have to cheap out and go with Delphi???

Is there a Denso compressor that's a drop-in replacement?

 

Auto parts stores should have multiple replacement options. Should only run you $300 to $500.

 

You don't need to replace the compressor if the rubber on the clutch separated. You can get an aftermarket clutch kit and slap on the new clutch in 30 minutes. No special tools required and you can do it with the compressor still on the truck. For those of you who have ac lights blinking, look at the front of the compressor to see If the rubber seal is frayed along the edge. If so, it's an easy fix. My 2010 ac compressor clutch went at 65k.
Here is what I did:
Unbolt and remove skid plate 12 mm?
Unhook serpentine belt
Unbolt fan shroud, tilt it out of the way 10mm
Unbolt fan and remove 10mm
Unbolt compressor clutch and remove. 8mm
Curse at Toyota for their diminishing quality
Bolt new clutch with air gap (I used .025" with a feeler gauge between clutch and pulley)
Put back together
Enjoy cold crisp air for another 60k and repeat.

 

Now That's what I like to hear!
Do you have a link you could post for this kit you speak of?

 

Your entire HVAC system is Delphi.

 

So was there ever a link to this clutch kit? Same exact thing has happened to me and I'd rather not replace the whole compressor

 

The clutch kits that I could find were about as much as the compressor itself, so I ended up getting the whole compressor replaced.

 

I found the correct one. http://m.ebay.com/itm/05-09-Toyota-...-Clutch-Hub-/181735059098?txnId=1471943164008 Just installed it yesterday and works perfectly fine!