our check hybrid system light came on. We took it to our dealer to have it scanned. It came back as a bad AC compressor. They quoted us $1600 for the parts and another $1000 for labor. My question right now is, is it safe to keep driving it? I have no AC or heat, the check hybrid system light is still on (dealer says it wont go off until this problem is fixed). Car is not overheating, it is charging like its supposed to. Should there be any concerns to keep driving it until we get this AC compressor fixed? its a 2011, gen 3 with 207K miles.
there is no relationship between the health of the a/c compressor and the rest of the car. you can drive without concern, except sweating. why don't you have heat? that is not provided by the a/c compressor. but you don't need that either. that's an average price for a compressor installed. if the heat and a/c stopped working when the check hybrid system came on, it might be something else. ask the dealer for the codes they pulled, and post them here.
You need more detail on the problem. A hybrid related problem is a high voltage leak in or to the AC compressor. That code could be a problem, An AC refrigeration leak is a more traditional problem with less concern other than comfort.
exact wording from dealer paperwork: diagnosed per repair manual, codes stored for P0AA6 hybrid isolation fault, power and grounds ok, failure leading to AC compressor, diagnosed per repair manual, verified AC compressor shorted out, caused failures in hybrid system leading to light on the dash, advised to replace at this time.
Might be a leak but could just be a short as described by the dealer. OK to drive but bear in mind that with your warning lamps active, you might not notice a new problem cropping up- so be vigilant. I would look into a used compressor from a junkyard, then take it to an independent A/C shop. No need to pay Toyota rates now that the diagnostics are done.
Gotta ask, has the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system ever been cleaned. regarding the AC compressor: ever had the engine compartment pressure-washed? There’s a 12 volt socket atop the compressor, acts like a little cup, holds water like a rain gauge and its pins corrode out. I don’t think anyone’s figured out a repair, short of compressor replacement.
It's seems to be common to find water in the connector. Maybe remove the connector from the a/c and spray cleaner in the connector on the compressor and wiring connector. If you have a compressor you can blow air on them to clear and dry them. Clear the codes and start the car and try the a/c.
The connector on the top is the low voltage control circuit, right? Doesn't that have its own error codes? Pretty sure the code OP is dealing with is on the high-voltage side of the device. It might be worth paying attention to the condition of that low voltage control connector on any secondhand compressors you consider.
I've only had this car a month, bought from a co-worker. Hybrid system light was on when I bought it, the AC didn't work nor did the heat. As far as the things you mentioned, I have no idea what might have been done before I got it, but I will check these things out. thanks for the input no idea, it didn't work when I bought it last month. Dealer didn't say anything about that either when I was there.
