Have to replace my AC compressor.

***It cant be as easy as 4 bolts= Did you have to remove any things in the way of the compressor?

 

The plastics under the bumper had to be moved iirc. But the compressor itself was on 2 bolts and 2 bolts for the lines.

 

I'm confused I thought the condenser coil was in front of the inverter radiator...

 

I think it is, but what's confusing?

 

So what TEST was performed to condemn the AC compressor? It's a 3-phase AC motor sealed in a housing that simply compresses the refrigerant and moves it to the condenser. If the compressor is truly "Bad", either there would have to be metal in the AC system (and they did NOT check for that), or it will no longer compress and that is doubtful.

Can they be killed? Absolutely and DIY or "professional" assassins are the typical causes when wrong refrigerants or lubricants are introduced into the system.

EVERY mechanic and many automotive YooToobe junkies think they know how to work on AC, the reality is quite the opposite.

 

I'd get a second opinion....and not from a car dealership.
Unlike the left coast, Miami is both VERY hot and VERY buggy.
I'm thinking that they have plenty of auto A/C establishments.

Before I put a new A/C compressor into a 16-year-old car I'm going to make sure that the problem isn't a Toyota dealership's financial problems.....

....juuuuust saying.

 

Did you try looking on rockauto?

 

In Miami, the OP has to have air conditioning.

At $1k to $1500 for a repair and with the car being a 2004 with 200k+ miles, it's time to "bite the bullet" and trade it in for a later model. You can get about $1k as a trade in.

 

To let go of a prius it has to be nothing less than an engine/trans failure.If you trade in for any other car that is not in warranty for like few years its even bigger risk. $1k is probably better to keep it and most definately you can gat more than $1 for the pars depending

 

You are assuming, that with 214k miles, everything will last forever.

A used Prius with 30k miles has a better chance of making 200k miles than one with 214k to 350k.

You may be, but I am not a gambler.

 

How would a hot inverter rad temp effect the condenser if the air goes thru the condenser first?

 

See TMR-JWAP's post (post #16) which explains the relationship that the inverter cooling has to the A/C compressor.

 

It could indicate overheating of the inverter, which contains (in Gen 2) the electronics to supply power to the electric A/C compressor, and will start shedding electrical loads if it overheats.

douglasjre's profile indicates having a Gen 3, which is different; the compressor's power electronics in Gen 3 are inside the compressor itself, and cooled by the refrigerant, instead of being in the inverter and cooled by SLLC. But this thread started out about a Gen 2.

 

I would take it to a Prius repair shop=NOT the dealer.


Miami Hybrid

Hybrid Car Repair
Address: 12134 SW 117th Ct, Miami, FL 33186

 

1962 fridge, and still in good shape? What brand is that? Can you remember?

 

I'm just finishing up replacing the AC Compressor, Condensor & Radiator on a 2007 Prius. I was able to get a Refurb Compressor on Ebay for a couple hundred dollars.

 

Hello, I am new to fixing hybrid vehicles. Would you please help me?
I have to replace compressor on "2011 Toyota Prius 4 Cylinders N 1.8L MFI HEV DOHC", my only concern is not get electricuted
so as you mention, after I remove SERVICE PLUG GRIP and disconnect negative 12v battery cable, do I need to worry about anything else?
Thank you very much.
Jeet

 

Hello, I am new to fixing hybrid vehicles. Would you please help me?
I have to replace compressor on "2011 Toyota Prius 4 Cylinders N 1.8L MFI HEV DOHC", my only concern is not get electricuted
so as you mention, after I remove SERVICE PLUG GRIP and disconnect negative 12v battery cable, do I need to worry about anything else?
Thank you very much.
Jeet

 

Yes, you need to wait at least 5 mins after removing the service plug grip, and also after that time check the high voltage connections with a voltmeter to ensure there is no power at the connections, that's if Gen 3s are the same as Gen 2.

By the way, this is a Gen 2 thread in a Gen 2 forum that you have tagged onto and as I just mentioned your car is a Gen 3, so you might get better advice by asking this question in one of the Gen 3 forums.

 

Gen 3 is high volt dc to compressor that has its own inverter built in.