A/clutch replacement

My a/c clutch is shot, so I got no a/c and coiendedently can't defrost my windows because the a/c comes on (very annoying) and can't be turned off.

Can the clutch be removed without taking out the compresor or do I have to remove it all?

2.7 4cyl. Tacoma.

 

Yes, it can. The parts (a.c. Clutch assembly) is available on eBay and the process to replace it is not to heinous. I just ordered one yesterday because mine also shat the bed last week. Here's a write up on replacement:

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

 

That's awesome. Was gonna say, my a/c still gets cold, so I didnt think the compressor was bad, just the clutch.

Plus, the shop quoted me $500 for a new cpmpressor from the parts suppliers in town. Online they can be had way cheaper though, which they dont care if I bring mine own.

Why doesn't Toyota just sell the clutch?

 

They do and for your '09 it is part no. 88410-04062. The clutch alone is very expensive though. If this were mine I would probably check the air gap on the clutch before doing anything else.

 

Is the clutch stuck on/engaged?

 

I could be wrong, but I interpreted this cryptic message to mean, "My AC makes a shit ton of noise, so I can't turn the climate control to defrost, because the noise is louder than my stereo."

Open up the underhood fuse box and pluck out the MG CLT relay.

 

Maybe I have similar problem. 2010 4WD 2.7L 137K. Push in the AC button, I can hear compressor clutch kick in and idle up, light stays on 2 or 3 seconds, compressor clicks off, blinking AC light, never on long enough to cool. I've replaced the MG CLT relay, no difference. I was always under the impression that compressors either work (turn) or the don't (frozen). Could it be the magnetic clutch plate or if it was bad would it engage at all. I guess that might be be the cheapest route to go before I go to AC shop. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

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

 

Yeah, mine works, but the clutch is froze. As soon as I turn a/c on it's loud. There is no blinking a/c light going on though.

$500 for a compressor is a lot to spend if it's just the clutch that is broken. So I want to weigh my options.

The guy I talked to at Napa said I gotta replace more than just the compressor if I want the warrenty on the compressor.

 

A couple of weeks ago I replaced my AC compressor clutch, belt, idler pulleys, alternator. For the clutch, the big issue I had was dealing with the snap ring. Having good snap ring pliers that holds the ring straight makes the job easier. I did not. The 'studs' on my snap ring pliers were too small and allowed the ring to twist under tension. It took a lot of cursing and fiddling to get the new clip seated. Also, for the clutch I bought, the positive wiring connector was not a perfect match for the existing connector. (existing connector was a little bigger) I wound up just crimping the connectors tight. Works fine so far and the weather seal that surrounds the connectors appears to be weather tight as with the original. I expect it to be fine.

I went with this unit:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-compres...ota-Tacoma-Made-in-USA-by-Maxsam/223351437201

 

Dunno, ask Toyota

Probably because: money. They like it a lot and really want us to give them as much of ours as they can possibly convince us to.

This is often the case. If you're replacing a compressor it's usually because it failed, and that sends shards of metal through the rest of the system. So the new compressor fails really fast chewing on that old trash in the system. So the right way is to replace the compressor and a bunch of the other stuff downstream and basically start over.

If it really is just the clutch, that's different. You don't have to open the system and it doesn't contaminate the other components.

On mine, I could turn the compressor by hand easily. Just the day or two before the a.c. ran fine and I had verified the charge with a meter. When it went, it was working just the hour or two before. It made a tire squealing kind of sound and I smelled burning rubber. Then the light started to blink and no more cold air. Looking at the pulley, I can see that rubber around the center of the pulley.

When I ran the engine and had my kid push the button while I watched the compressor, it would just barely move the center hub after the button was pressed then the center hub stopped while the outside continues to spin.

Pretty sure this all adds up to bad clutch. I sure hope so, and I'll find out for sure this weekend when I replace it!

 

Right on, yeah I'm about 95% positive it's the clutch at this point.

 

Those snap ring pliers are pretty handy. I have one, it's been used for a lot of project.

Did your clutch totally fail before you did the project?

 

Sorry, missed the question about if the clutch failed. Yes, I was doing the job because the AC was not working. Started with checking fuses and changing the relay. Pressure was present in the system. So I crossed my fingers and went for the clutch. Thankfully, that was all that was needed to get the AC going again.

 

Gonna try to get mine sorted tomorrow. I got a new clutch sitting here also bought the tool to hold the clutch.

 

Mine turned out to be the clutch. I replaced it on Saturday and it's working fine now. I bought the entire clutch assembly but ended up replacing only the pulley and the clutch, not the electro magnetic piece. My magnet was fine and I figured why replace an oem part with a questionable one when the oem is still fine. Of course I kept the new magnet and it can occupy a shelf until needed.

I did like the write up I linked to suggested and removed the fan and fan shroud which made it easy, and while I was in there replaced the ldlers and my serp belt. It's a little tight to get the fan and shroud on and off but manageable and makes the rest easy.

Everything went smoothly and all is well!

Good luck with yours.

 

Job done! It was the clutch. Truck's a/c is 100% functional. Thanks everyone for the information. So glad I didn't need a new compressor and all the stuff that goes with it.