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2006 Prius AC Compressor replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JoelRyanQuinn, Jun 5, 2015.

  1. JoelRyanQuinn

    JoelRyanQuinn New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2015
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    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 2006 Prius (with 187k miles) A/C system started blowing warm air, even when on the MAX COOL setting. I took it to a local shop who told me the compressor is bad. I agree with their diagnosis because the compressor is unusally loud.

    They quoted me $1300 but the compressor was a huge part of the price. I asked if I could buy my own part, a remanufactured compressor off eBay, and they would only charge me for labor, around $400 with recharge, freon, etc.

    I bought the part off eBay, dropped off the car, and in 5 minutes, I get a phone call from the mechanics telling me that they won't be able to perform the repair. They didn't realize this hybrid uses a "high voltage" system to which they are not equipped to handle. I call another local shop who says they can do it and I say, "The previous mechanic couldn't because it's a high voltage system." They said, "Hmmm, let me double check with our master tech." They put me on hold a few minutes and then come back and say, "Yep, you're right. We can't either."

    The only places I can find that will do this repair are a Special Hybrid repair shop, that wants $1350 and the Toyota dealership, which wants approximately one arm and a leg. And both insist on using an original, OEM part.

    Can any local mechanics install a remanufactured or used compressor? I'm in Atlanta, Georgia where mechanics don't seem to know anything about hybrids.

    Also, I'm at 187k miles, so my dreaded battery replacement isn't far off. Should I pay $1350 or try to find someone to install my eBay-purchased compressor?
     
    #1 JoelRyanQuinn, Jun 5, 2015
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    May I ask what the eBay reman compressor set you back?

    A new one from Toyota seems to be about $574 online. Toyota themselves also sometimes offer a remanufactured version (with -84 added at the end of the part number), but this one doesn't seem available that way.

    The one thing that probably discourages the shops is that a special kind of oil, ND-11, has to be used to avoid damage to the high-voltage windings in the compressor. A shop will have to connect their equipment to your A/C twice (once to evacuate all your old refrigerant before changing the compressor, and again to evacuate and recharge afterward), and if the only equipment they have around has been used with incompatible conventional oils, they won't want to have bad oil contaminate your system and risk the compressor they've just installed.

    Except for that, it ought to be a straightforward job.

    It's not unusual to replace the drier also, any time the system is going to have been opened.

    -Chap
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jun 5, 2015
    SFO likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it is difficult to find a shoppe that will work on the prius a/c. (correctly)
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 5, 2015
  4. LEARNER

    LEARNER Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
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    I know this is an old thread but for anybody reading I suggest sticking with an oem ac compressor even if used or refurb as I had 3 aftermarket ones fail although warrantied. 3rd one is working inconsistently. Shop just needs dedicated machine for hybrids. Found 2 that would install my used ac oem compressor for about $450 just no warranty. Several other Hybrid mechanics mentioned experiences with aftermarket compressor creating multiple problems that went away when an oem was installed. Many shops won't do it also because the insist on charging you up on expensive diagnostics then say you need to replace this and that and the other because that is what they were told by someone else that was told they same thing by another authority figure and never questioning it or testing it.
     
    #4 LEARNER, Apr 3, 2020
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