Thread: Toyota Landcruiser A/C Problem

Had my 2000 Cruiser since new – 199,900 km - old but lovely condition – except the AC stopped making cold air
Poor old Cruiser – but we have an ongoing love affair, and it has to see me out!
Took it to Toyota – they have done all the diagnostics stuff over a couple of hours - they tell me the A/C compressor, clutch pulley, TX valve and receiver drier needs to be replaced – ex Japan - $3910 plus GST in about four months’ time
Does anyone have any ideas on how it could be repaired at a lower cost?
Looks like there are compressors available on TM at much lower costs – but who would fit it?
Thanks for any help and ideas

Try changing your cabin air filter first, if you haven’t already.

Um, this may take more than one post.
Two common faults are the tx valve fails shut, this may have caused the compressor to burn out.
The other common fault is the air gap in the compressor clutch gets to big.
Can you advise if the clutch engages on the compressor?
The pulley is driven by the belt and spins all the time, the clutch is the bit in front the engages as it cycles on.
Might need a road trip to Wellington

To answer you last questions, you can do it with a little guidance. I may still be able to get a much better price from one of my old contacts.

Had the same problems with my 2000 nissan patrol a/c compresser.Company in Auckland recondition compresser/3yr warranty=$1300,waited about 3 weeks.That was about 5yrs ago.A/C works fine again.Keep the venison cool on the way home.

I had mine reasealed and regassed (a1991) was under a grand from memory.

I mite be able to help you there mate, do you know if it’s a 1hz engine or a 1hdt turbo model or twin cam or petrol? I used to fix cruisers and can possibly diagnose the fault, get parts and maybe get system regassed by 1 of my auto sparky work mates with an aircon ticket for a shitload cheaper than what Toyota quoted. I’m in waihi beach area, so if I get near Tauranga with spare time I can hav a sqizz over nxt few days, or pm me your number and I try figure it out

Be a 1hdfte wouldn't it ?

Usually a leak down pressure test with the uv dye will show where leak is, and then just repair the parts that’s linked to leak, but usually when it leaks the compressor cooks itself coz of gas pressure differences and produces moisture thru system. Simple way of telling is by pushing on the Schrader valve on hi pressure side and seeing if still has gas, then generally cheaper fix, if no gas then it’s leak test and bit more involved. I will try get my mates number and forward it to you. He’s a mobile auto sparky in Tauranga and does air cons and we worked together fixing land cruisers for years. He be way cheaper than Toyota, fast and provide you with some good yarns and laughs.

Morning Time Out. I cant help with the aircon but Ill just fill you in on my experience with the local Toyota dealer. Had a fuel delivery problem( pump) in an Altezza. Took it to the local Toyota dealer and said I think the fuel pumps shot , can you give me a quote to fix please. They came back with a quote for over 1300 dollars , said the pump was shot and charged me 130 dollars to tell me that.
I said no thanks , took to local garage , cost 220 dollars to replace. They said to me it was the easiest pump to replace they’d seen ,lol.
I emailed and messaged them asking why the quote was so expensive but they never replied. Funny thing was , the Mrs was looking at buying a new car at the time ,loved the toyota models. When I picked the old car up I made the mistake of wearing my red bands and asking what the new ones were like. They didnt show much interest. Mrs drives a Kia now.

Thanks for your help Guys – I expect that Toyota would provide a quality repair – but the cost is likely to be at the top end - but in saying that – I have also had some bad local dealer experiences recently with three trips to fix a leaking CV boot – messy!
Toyota have been kind to me with this car – soon after I got it - I noticed the front tyres were scuffing badly - I gave it back to Toyota NZ in Palmy for a couple of days to test for better alignment on NZ roads - they said to let them know when they were worn out and they would give me a new set - seven years and 60ks later - they sent me the new tyres and it just cost me installation
At about 65ks - it started “running on” when I wanted to stop - quite disconcerting - back to Toyota - torque converter needs replacement - Toyota paid for it and just cost me installation - I recall it was worth about $9k from Toyota
I will always drive Toyota cars - service is generally great but the cost for this job looks high
I don’t know what is under the bonnet – but maybe this pic will help and the pic of the diagnostics yesterday
Thanks again for any ideas for a lower cost solution

And that, right there,is the best six cylinder motor Toyota ever made.

Originally Posted by madjon_

And that, right there,is the best six cylinder motor Toyota ever made.

Well it sure wasn't the 1HDT

Hi suction pressure means the tx valve isn’t blocked or stuck shut and may just mean the compressor isn’t turning. If the compressor has failed it could have spewed metal through the system which will catch in the tx valve. That might be why the have added it in the quote.
Can you get a phot of the tag on the compressor for me please it should say something like 10PA-15C.
There’s lots of good advice, I’ll add my 10cents. The receiver drier should be replaced ever time you open a system it remove moisture that’s a killer in refrigeration. One drop will freeze and block the tx valve, even the tiniest amount will turn to acid and rot out the system from the inside.

How handy are you with multi meters? Can you measure the resistance of the clutch coil? Measure between the wire going into the compressor and the body of the compressor should be 4ohms from memory.

Mate, I finally remembered my mates business name, it’s meda mechanical, his names josh and he’s a good bugger, loves hunting and is a competition trap shooter, worked on cruisers for years, and is good for a yarn, number is 02041338088. With all the info on receipt if you showed josh I’m sure he’d be able get onto it soon as if he has an opening. If you ring him mention Jamie the fitter from the mine put you onto him. And your cruiser with that engine at 200,000 ks, is not even run in yet. They are really well engineered engines, and just go forever, and value of them increases as fast as cindys taxes