2006 Prius - Broken AC compressor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by generalenthu, May 16, 2009.

  1. generalenthu

    generalenthu New Member

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    My Prius is just under 3 years old and has 52K miles on it. The AC stopped working and I took it in to the local Toyota Dealer.

    The dealer says the Compressor is broken and scared the Bejesus out of me that the AC is also used to cool the battery and non-functional AC can potential short the battery causing a fire.

    Further, I was told that the compressor will cause the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to break if it jams.

    The bottom-line is the dealer says I need to plonk down $1800 immediately to get it fixed.

    Is this possible that the dealer is taking me for a ride? I searched the forums, but couldn't find any instances of broken compressor.

    Please help.
     
    #1 generalenthu, May 16, 2009
  2. generalenthu

    generalenthu New Member

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    The dealer says that the AC can turn on automatically to cool the battery even if I turn it off manually from climate control system.
     
    #2 generalenthu, May 16, 2009
  3. ibmindless

    ibmindless Member

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    Go to another dealer.
     
    #3 ibmindless, May 16, 2009
  4. generalenthu

    generalenthu New Member

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    Other dealerships are closed for the weekend. Anyways, called the Toyota Satisfaction line and asked for a goodwill warranty extension as it was still <3 yrs. They opened a case file and said an officer will contact me on monday. Fingers crossed.
     
    #4 generalenthu, May 16, 2009
  5. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    #5 dogfriend, May 16, 2009
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Don't reward that dealer with your business. You can safely wait a week without A/C.
     
    #6 richard schumacher, May 16, 2009
  7. generalenthu

    generalenthu New Member

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    Thanks Dogfriend. I did come across this link. I think I will wait till I hear back from the Toyota HQ. More importantly I will have to find a good local repair shop who can handle this kind of job.
     
    #7 generalenthu, May 16, 2009
  8. generalenthu

    generalenthu New Member

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    Just to update everyone, The Toyota Customer satisfaction reps have been AWESOME. Among the nicest ones I have talked to on phone.

    They offered to pay me for the compressor which ran about $ 1060. But the service charge is still around $600, for which I will have to still pay for my pocket :(
     
    #8 generalenthu, Jun 2, 2009
  9. macmfrank

    macmfrank New Member

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    I just had the same diagnosis (bad compressor) on my 2004 with 78k. Quote was $1300. Where (dealer vs. other) did you end up getting it fixed and how much?

    Thanks - Mike
     
    #9 macmfrank, Jun 22, 2009
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Mike, did the A/C ever get any service before this, specifically a recharge?
     
    #10 richard schumacher, Jun 23, 2009
  11. macmfrank

    macmfrank New Member

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    Well, not really. I noticed over the past 1.5 years that the AC would intermittently not cool (10-20% of the time). This summer it stopped cooling and I heard the whining sound. I attempted to recharge myself, but I put in too much. However, service said that this was not the cause of the compressor failure. No other AC service to the car since I have owned it (45k).

    Thanks.
     
    #11 macmfrank, Jun 23, 2009
  12. Sequestre

    Sequestre TLV (Toyota Loyalist Veteran)

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    Wow, I can't believe a dealer would say this. It's not true. If anything, the compressor can really suck down the battery as it is powered not by the ICE, but by the electric inverter. In gen 1 the compressor is powered by the ICE (belt drive) but still not used to cool the battery.
     
    #12 Sequestre, Mar 18, 2010
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Well, it's *partly* true: the traction battery and its controller are cooled by cabin air, so if the cabin A/C is not working the battery system will not get as much cooling as it may need on a hot day. But the battery system won't turn on the A/C by itself.
     
    #13 richard schumacher, Mar 19, 2010
  14. jimnvicki

    jimnvicki New Member

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    My wife's 06 A/C compressor is making that high pitched whining sound too, and it isnt blowing cool air any more. I isolated the high pitched whining sound to the a/c compressor and tried to recharge it to no avail. Never had any other issues with it before now, but of course, its the beginning of another southern california summer. The car has 200k on it so I guess it's about time it needed a bit of TLC. I priced out an electric compressor @$771 and I dont have any qualms about installing it myself, but I would appreciate anyone's tips and tricks about the install. Also, does anyone think its a bad idea to try to obtain a used one? Thanks
     
    #14 jimnvicki, Jun 3, 2010
  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The one thing I know is: use the correct Toyota refrigerant oil. The compressor motor wires are bathed in it, and the wrong stuff will destroy them.
     
    #15 richard schumacher, Jun 4, 2010
  16. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Yes, there are numerous warnings in the service manual - the wrong oil can degrade the electrical resistance (insulation) and cause a DTC - if that occurs, you will need to replace all of the affected parts of the system - $$$$$
     
    #16 dogfriend, Jun 4, 2010
  17. vertex

    vertex Active Member

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    Just make sure you use hybrid oil, the autostores now sell it. I posted this earlier. Also, you need to make sure your hose is new, or was not used with normal refrigerant oil, as it will contaminate the compressor. You also need a vacuum pump.
    I recharged and filled mine. You will need 16 oz of R-134.
     
    #17 vertex, Jun 4, 2010
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