Air conditioner clutch replacement?

So my A/C pump clutch just took a dump today in my 2007 X-Runner and stopped working. It looks like the clutch is filled with some sort of rubber because it is now spewing out when I hit the A/C button and slinging it all over the place. Do you guys know if it's possible to replace just the clutch so I don't have the open the A/C system? If so, where's a good place to get one? Or am I screwed and have to replace the whole pump?

 

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You don't want to know what Toyota apparently charges for just the clutch assembly (looks like part number 8841004062). $530 is one figure I found. It's cheaper to go to Rock Auto and buy a whole new Denso compressor and clutch for $325.

 

Maybe there's a write up for this?

 

Watch the second video.

 

Will this help?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-clutch-failure-how-to-fix-blinking-light-squealing.448009/

 

Thanks for the vids!

Thanks for the link!

 

Fuck that, remanufactured, easier, and less chance of error. I've seen rookies and professionals mess up clutches, when a reman costs the same, I would rather just replace it.

 

Well I got my new A/C clutch in thanks to your guys' help and swapped it out and now I know why the old one failed. There is another issue in the system! The A/C will kick on like normal but sounds like it is struggling like there is a large load on it. It'll run for about a minute then shut off then turn on again in about 30 seconds and keep repeating this. I noticed that the A/C lines were crazy hot as well, like burning hot. I hooked up my A/C manifold gauges to check the pressures and the high side would climb to about 450 psi before the clutch would disengage. I'm no A/C expert so do you guys have any suggestions? Why is there so much pressure and why are the lines getting so hot? Time to do some research.

 

Spray down the condenser with water and see if the hi side pressure goes down. You may have a fan clutch issue or a condensor issue

 

I have an electric fan which is good. I'm pretty sure the condenser is clogged. I'm going order up a new one and see if that solves the issue. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Try the water before you buy a condenser

 

Damn I would but I just had the system evacuated.

 

Is the condensor covered in dirt? How long has the electric fan been installed? It's kinda suspect with the abnormally hi pressure

 

The condenser is clean, no debris or anything obstructing it. I've had the electric fan for about 10 years.

 

Do you still have the factory fan? In the interest of saving money you could put it back on and see what happens

 

So to give a little update on this in case someone else has this issue. I finally received my new condenser in, installed it, and set off to recharge the system. As I was emptying the 1st can of refrigerant into the system everything was going as normal. The system was taking the refrigerant and once there was enough the clutch engaged and the fan turned on. I checked the thermostat I had in the vent the temp was dropping. All was good until I heard the pump trying to struggle and noticed the hi-side pressure was getting close to 450 psi. At this point the clutch disengaged and the problem was the same as before. But I did notice this time though that the fan shut off at some point (Flex-a-Lite e-fan). So when the pump turned back on I jiggled some wires and the fan turned back on. Dammit! There was a faulty connection at the splice for the A/C trigger wire. So I redid the connection and tested it out and now the fan turns on with the A/C like it should and stays on no matter how I move/jiggle the wires.

So if you've read this for or just skipped to this paragraph, my A/C is working again after I replaced the A/C clutch hub (burned up because of the force against the high pressure), condenser (not even needed), and recharged the system (about $20 for 2 cans) but the culprit of it all was a faulty connection to the A/C trigger wire not allowing the fan to turn on when the clutch engaged. Lesson learned.

 

If that was the case wouldn’t your truck be running hot too??

Curious because my partners car has the same exact issue.

 

No, the fan is also switched on by the thermocouple going through the radiator so it still turns on to regulate the temperature. But it also needs to ALWAYS be on when the A/C is on otherwise you get the issue like I had.

 

I'm really shocked you didn't blow your compressor or anything else. I'd say run the stock fan clutch back. If you feel the need of running additional fans (electric) you can put a pusher fan in the front of the condensor. Seen so many vehicles suffer from aftermarket pos electric fans claiming more hp which is like what? 5-10hp? can u really feel it? Is it worth blowing your head gasket or more?