A/C Compressor question

Failure rate is pretty low + they didn't sell that many in America = very little free DIY info in public.

Probably the best thing you could do is rent the official Repair Manual from Toyota. It's not expensive and it is the best step-by-step info anyone ever wrote for the job.

Details on this link.

 

Also, figure out why the old one died. The two most common ways seem to be hitting road debris that hits the compressor itself, since it's pretty low on the front of the engine, and the other is loss of refrigerant.

Because the car has automatic climate control, it will try to compensate for low refrigerant level by working the compressor extra hard, without telling you anything is wrong. Eventually it just does too much and thrashes itself to death.

So... you may have more than just a compressor to deal with. Be suspicious and careful when you are leak-testing.

 

Sure thing! also, you should be aware of car-part.com. It's a database of parts in junkyards. Not the easiest-to-use website, but it is worth it because of the savings.

With such a low failure rate, it means there's lots of perfectly good compressors available from crashed cars. You can save a bundle that way.

Good luck!

 

A corroded low voltage control connector is the most common way that Prius AC compressors fail other than mechanical issues. Improper control signals could also lead to mechanical failure.

The connector is so situated that it collects water and corroded.

I filled mine with dielectric silicone grease to prevent this many years ago.

Corroded connectors can't be repaired. A new compressor is the only option.