Need to change my A/C compressor on my 2012 Taco 4X4. Any advice?

My compressor locked up. Any tips for changing it out? Is there an accumulator or oriface tube?

 

Oh boy. If the compressor locked up, it likely sent metal particles into the rest of the system. There is a receiver/dryer near the condenser and an expansion valve on the evaporator core. The receiver/dryer must be replaced and the rest of the system flushed/purged to get all of that shit out of there. I recommend a shop to do this if you aren't familiar with what I'm saying.
Are you sure the compressor is locked up? Sometimes the bearing for the clutch pulley locks up usually from over-tightened belts. that's a better scenario. Grab the center part of the compressor clutch and see if it turns. If it does, you can replace the clutch assembly. Just make sure you use shims to adjust the spacing on the new clutch.

 

I had that happen with my 2007, metal particles went everywhere. They had to tear apart the dash, center console... hopefully you'll come out better. I spent 2k but I'm in Ca so it be more here.

 

Can the expansion valve be changed from the engine compartment?

 

Negative ghost rider. Gotta pull the evaporator assy. Not as bad as it might seem Pull the glove box and you will see. Disconnect the high and low lines at the firewall, the fan blower connector and it drops down onto the cab floor.

 

Yes, it most certainly can, I have done so and so have others.

OP, before you go any further you need to remove the micro-filter from the TXV valve and see what, if anything is captured. This will give you some direction on where to take this. If it is full of debris then I would suspect the compressor has possibly grenaded so then you need to take off the suction line from the compressor inlet and see if any detritus actually went backwards up the line. It is not uncommon for massive compressor failure on the Taco to contaminate he line backwards into the evaporator under the dash.

If you have a bunch of debris do not simply replace the compressor and go. You may likely find yourself doing so again real soon and debris in the system contaminates the new compressor and ruins it as well.

Also for others reading this, if you replace the compressor for whatever reason you should really place a screen filter on the low pressure (suction) line inlet at the compressor.