A/C and battery issues all at once!

[qsiguy]

Geez, the Q decided it wanted to kick my butt today. I came out from work, cleaned off the dust from her with my handy duster so she'd look good for the 37 mile drive home. A/C was a little warm but I figured it was because I was in some slow traffic and it was 105 degrees out according to the ambient temp gauge. A little later the a/c stopped working all together, holy cow it's flippin hot I pulled off the road and looked under the hood and the compressor isn't spinning so I figure it's shot, also I can smell a strange burning smell, I'm pretty sure it was the clutch grinding itself up. I keep going in the heat and stop at the Panda Express to get my pregnant wife her craving for dinner, orange chicken. When I come out I have almost ZERO electrical power Geez, what else can go wrong all at once! Then the stupid lady sitting next to me won't give me a jump start. Few minutes later some guys come by in a truck and agree to give me a jump and she reluctantly starts up. I make it home ok, although dripping with sweat.

Got the battery replaced tonight so I'm good there but it looks like the A/C compressor is gone. I can hear it grinding now while the engine is running. Just when you think you can invest in some upgrades you have to fix something else.

So who's got some ballpark numbers to get the a/c compressor replaced and all related parts that will need to be replaced? I'm guessing $700 range with labor. The A/C compressor is one of the few systems I don't want to DIY it. Is it possible to just replace the clutch if that's all that's busted?

Ok, I'll quit whining. Just needed to vent. It was a rough ride home today in the heat.

[Skibane]

Does it grind all the time, or just when the A/C is on?

Maybe the clutch is grinding because the compressor is locked up - Can you spin the compressor shaft (the center part, not the outer pulley) with your hand?

[superuber]

You might want to check your alt. output, just to be sure.(maybe you already did?)

http://community.webshots.com/user/neheadsuperuber

[elwesso]

You might want to check your alt. output, just to be sure.(maybe you already did?)

http://community.webshots.com/user/neheadsuperuber

Yeah you might check that but its time the battery be replaced if its been 3+ years (or unknown)...

Id check ebay for reman compressors, they show up every so often

[gloucester Q]

not that it helps much, but i was at the dealer the other day for a check up on my 93, and the guy pointed out a whine--more like a low groan--and said i'd be needing a new ac compressor soon. said that it was a common-ish problem on early qs. and he gave me that 'it's going to be expensive' look followed by the 'i'm going to do you a favor and NOT try to sell it to you here' look.

[DrewQ45]

Have you checked all the belts?

[jamesmost]

new compressor $660.00

[elwesso]

$433.35 from Joe

[DrewQ45]

I might be needing one down the line too. My AC is cold but I can hear more noise from the compressor lately. Sounds like a small diesel idling but getting a bit louder now.

[Jesda]

AC belt breaks, maybe the snap takes the alt belt with it?

[qsiguy]

Alternator is fine, it's actually quite new and I did check the output. The battery has been crap for a while now but I've been milking it. My advice (which I always tell my customers) is replace it as soon as it shows signs of dying. I should follow my own advice I guess, would have saved me a lot of grief yesterday.

Belts are all fine. The compressor won't engage at all and doesn't even try when I turn on the A/C. It grinds all the time whether a/c is on or not.

Anyone know if just the clutch can be replaced on these compressors?

$443.35 OUCH! I suppose I could mount it and then take it to my mechanic to vacuum purge the system and charge it.

[Jesda]

The clutch can be replaced. I had mine taken to a shop for removal. More accurately, the guy who worked on my Q took it to a shop.

Maybe try a used compressor for $75.

[Q45denver]

I have a used 94-96 compressor for $60 plus shipping that will work. The AC compressor and clutch assembly was taken out of a wrecked 1995 Infiniti .

[qsiguy]

The mechanic I always use when I don't do it myself is a friend of mine I grew up with and I trust him completely. He quoted me about $1500 to replace the compressor and a couple other components that can often eventually damage a new compressor if you don't replace them if the old compressor blew up and sent junk through the system. His price on the compressor was around $700 and I told him I could get the parts cheaper myself. He was fine with that and would put them in for me but couldn't warranty them of course. He said they have had too many come backs when they cut corners and don't replace all the suspect components and just do the compressor and charge up the freon. He also strongly urged me to stay away from used or remanufactured equipment unless I want to be replacing parts all the time. I just don't have the money right now to fork out $1500 and I need the A/C NOW! It's already breaking 100 degrees now.

I'm tempted to get that one from you, Q45Denver, and do it myself. I have a compressor that I can vacuum out the lines with. The '94 Q takes R134a freon doesn't it? If it does, that won't cost too much. I could probably get it all fixed up doing it myself for under $200 using your compressor Q45Denver even if it lasted only a year I think it would be worth it.

Where you at Q45Denver? How much does that compressor weigh? Trying to guess freight to 85040 and I am in a commercial building.

Anyone ever done a compressor swap and recharge on their own? I have done it on other cars but not the Q. I imagine it'll be similar except for the stupid location of the compressor.

[Jesda]

I've installed AC compressors on the Q twice in my life. First time around, I didnt put enough oil in the system (because I forgot that the shop drained it when they evacuated the R134), and after a day that resulted in a seized compressor.

There's lots of bolts all over each side, some that can only be found by touch. Do NOT over tighten the one that connects the hose to the compressor.

Its a little tedious, but otherwise its not too terrible. Do it in a climate-controlled shop if you can. Being under a Q for two hours in the heat and humidity can cause you to work hastily.

My suggestion? Replace the compressor yourself since its just nuts and bolts, and the receiver if you know how to do it correctly, then have a professional flush and recharge the system. Buy Q45Denver's compressor. Thats a damn good deal.

[Q45denver]

I'm in Denver so figure about $10 for shipping. Not too bad qs a DIY. Since yours seized it probably lost the freon. Also you'll need is a new receiver/dryer, an aeresol can of flush and a couple cans of freon and some oil. You could get all this from NAPA for around $100. Some also recommend installing a inline filter. You also need a vacuum. I did mine a few years ago without the filter and just using a cheap $20 diaphram vacuum and it still works fine.

[qsiguy]

PM me Q45Denver at [email protected] so we can work out the details, I am gonna go for it. It's worth a shot to me to save $1200+ and it'll be good experience. I'll have to be sure to document the swap with photos for anyone else who may need to handle this job.

Several have talked about replacing the "receiver/dryer" and I thought I knew what it was but I want to make sure I'm looking at the right component. The FSM doesn't refer to a receiver or dryer anywhere in the system. The part I think it is is the canister with the sight glass in it mounted near the radiator which also has the pressure switch in it. The FSM refers to this as the "liquid tank". Is this the right thing and if not, what is the reciever/dryer.

Also, did I understand you correctly that NAPA will have these parts?

Modified by qsiguy at 12:16 AM 5/27/2006
Modified by qsiguy at 12:18 AM 5/27/2006

[elwesso]

get the drier from Joe... And yes, in the FSM/parts book its known as the liquid tank but on joes site he calls it the drier.