LS 430 air conditioning failure

[SteveThackery]

Colleagues!

This is my first post, and may be a daft question, so please bear with me.  

I have a 2004 LS 430, which I believe is the facelift model.

The air conditioning doesn't work, and - after having it re-gassed and doing some investigation - I'm almost certain it is a problem with the compressor, or more precisely with the clutch on the compressor. 

I identified the two wires which go from the aircon amplifier to the clutch solenoid on the compressor (pink with silver, yellow with black).  I cut the wires and was able to confirm that the aircon electronics box is switching 13.8V to the solenoid wires - and switching it off again - when I operate the controls on the console, so I think the system is working fine up until that point.

With the engine stopped I then connected the two solenoid wires to a 12V Battery and could hear a faint click from the compressor.  However, my gut instinct is that the click doesn't seem as loud as I would expect if the clutch were operating correctly.  It sounds as if it is trying, but perhaps sticking?

I then ran the engine at idle, and again connected the solenoid wires to a Battery - there was no change at all in engine note, so I'm almost certain the clutch isn't working.

A call to the Lexus dealer in Nottingham gave me a shock - they quoted £2185 +VAT for a replacement pump, with fitting on top of that!!  It's out of the question.

• What would you folks recommend? 
   
• How feasible is it to remove the compressor myself and at least investigate the problem to see if it's fixable?
   
• Is there a Lexus specialist in the East Midlands who you recommend could sort it out?
   
• Is it possible to investigate the clutch and solenoid while the compressor is in situ?
   
• Is it feasible to get a second hand compressor without buying a pup?

Bearing in mind the current heatwave, your thoughts, advice, mocking laughter or anything else are all most welcome!

Many thanks,
Steve

[Malc]

If it were me I would consider phoning a local independent specialist aircon repair business

At least then you would get a sensible comparative likely cost from a proper professional independent

and i don't mean the likes of  Halfords Kwikfit or similar

Just my 2pn'th

Best wishes with it

Malc

[cornershop]

If you're certain its the compressor, i'd get a Denso *new* (OEM) one from RockAuto - change the Condensor at the same time

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,2004,ls430,4.3l+v8,1426092,heat+&+air+conditioning

I don't believe 2004 is facelift, i think that came in 2005/6 ?

[cruisermark]

2004 is facelift with sleeker front

[cruisermark]

Pete changed his compressor recently - have a read through his thread 

[SteveThackery]

Hey, guys, thank you so much for your replies!

RockAuto looks like a brilliant source for reasonably priced parts, and I'm going to study Pete's thread in detail.  I'm already feeling more optimistic about sorting this out myself.

[SteveThackery]

44 minutes ago, cornershop said:

I don't believe 2004 is facelift, i think that came in 2005/6 ?

I think mine must be the facelift model - it has the six speed box, reversing camera, bird's eye trim and swivelling headlamps, which Wikipedia tells me makes it the facelift model.  However, I'm no expert!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LS#Third_generation_(XF30;_2000-2006)

 

[dendonc]

2 hours ago, Malc said:

i don't mean the likes of  Halfords Kwikfit or similar

https://bit.ly/2yK47Lk

.

[cruisermark]

yours is facelift - the giveaway is the face lol (headlights, bumper , grill)

[JamesIS220]

Your AC may have a big leak hence compressor not running as pressure switch stops compressor from running when gas low.

Your compressor may need re-shimming. If the clutch gap isn't correct it may not engage the compressor clutch. If the same as a Volvo 940 the centre part can be manually pressed in with a stick to get it to engage. Heat and expansion may be preventing it from re- engaging. Some youtube vids of re shimming.

I have just had a company out to test my IS220D For AC leaks from a national franchise company called cool car and found the condenser is leaking. Had a sniffer tool for the hard to see areas. Cost £30.

Ordered a new nissens condenser from eBay £174 so hopefully fitting Sunday.

My Volvo 940 has a used compressor off eBay. It works fine and came with a 30 day warranty. Cost £30. I did pay a garage £120 to fit it and re-gas as access tight so bear the fitting cost if found to be a dud. 

James

[steve2006]

We are just so ripped off in the UK!

https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/60-02184_NA?dest=oem&refno=OEM Number 88310-50152&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NjOhIXy2wIVi7TtCh35JwYWEAAYASAAEgKgnvD_BwE

If you could find a local AC specialist they may be able to replace just the magnetic clutch, I take it that the system is holding pressure?

[steve2006]

We are just so ripped off in the UK!

https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/60-02184_NA?dest=oem&refno=OEM Number 88310-50152&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NjOhIXy2wIVi7TtCh35JwYWEAAYASAAEgKgnvD_BwE

If you could find a local AC specialist they may be able to replace just the magnetic clutch, I take it that the system is holding pressure?

Another thread which may be of use

 

[dendonc]

No idea what these guys are like in expertease/diagnostic levels but they do come round if  they have a franchise near you & have pre stated fixed prices. I never realized till I read this thread just how expensive & complicated the AC system is & today looks to be much cooler than yesterday (London).

https://www.coolcaraircon.co.uk

[SteveThackery]

19 hours ago, JamesIS220 said:

Your AC may have a big leak hence compressor not running as pressure switch stops compressor from running when gas low.

Thanks for this suggestion.  In fact the people who regassed it checked it for leaks and said it is fine.  

[SteveThackery]

14 hours ago, steve2006 said:

We are just so ripped off in the UK!

https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/60-02184_NA?dest=oem&refno=OEM Number 88310-50152&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-NjOhIXy2wIVi7TtCh35JwYWEAAYASAAEgKgnvD_BwE

If you could find a local AC specialist they may be able to replace just the magnetic clutch, I take it that the system is holding pressure?

 

Thanks.  Yes, when I had it regassed they told me it is holding its pressure fine.  They normally charge £75 to regas, and another £20 for the anti-fungal treatment.  As it didn't work they told me they wouldn't charge anything for the regas, just the £20, which I thought was very reasonable of them.

[SteveThackery]

I'm in touch with Toyotek at Lincoln, who specialise in Toyota and Lexus, and have explained the situation to them.  Hopefully they'll be getting back to me later today with a rough estimate of cost.

I'll let you know what they say.

[The-Acre]

When the AC packed up on my first LS430 it was diagnosed as the compressor, I bought a second hand one from eBay for £75.  Total cost for having it fitted and gassed by a local outfit was about £120 as I recall.  The main thing about buying a used one  (apart from a guarantee that it works)  is to get one still on the vehicle if possible, otherwise the seals dry out.  With the right access it's not too bad a job.  When I bought an 02 sensor from Rockauto it took ten days to arrive which is fine, but there was £18 customs fee to pay when it got here which I wasn't expecting.  An excellent company though.   

[dendonc]

1 hour ago, The-Acre said:

I bought an 02 sensor from Rockauto it took ten days to arrive which is fine, but there was £18 customs fee to pay when it got her

If you/anyone here has a product from Rockauto sent to trusted, reliable aquaintance in US  and ask them to send it on with 'Used Equipment value $15'' on customs declaration slip than all you get charged at customs is import duty on $15 + customs fee on shipping costs, just a thought folks, just a thought.

[ColinBarber]

1 hour ago, The-Acre said:

When I bought an 02 sensor from Rockauto it took ten days to arrive which is fine, but there was £18 customs fee to pay when it got here which I wasn't expecting.  An excellent company though.   

You should select courier rather than post. You pay all the taxes and import up front which will probably work out cheaper and you will get the part in a couple of days.

[ColinBarber]

3 minutes ago, dendonc said:

If you/anyone here has a product from Rockauto sent to trusted, reliable aquaintance in US  and ask them to send it on with 'Used Equipment value $15'' on customs declaration slip than all you get charged at customs is import duty on $15 + customs fee on shipping costs, just a thought folks, just a thought.

You can also fill up with petrol at your local station and just drive off without paying - saves a fortune if you don't mind being a thief or committing fraud and tax evasion.

[mrdoofa]

5 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

You can also fill up with petrol at your local station and just drive off without paying - saves a fortune if you don't mind being a thief or committing fraud and tax evasion.

I’d have no problem at all with any of those 3 things if I thought I could get away with it!!! 

[BigBoomer]

Just had my Air-con fixed at Bonair in South Benfleet, Essex.
Cost me £160 including a re-gas and is now cool and crisp and smelling great.
I did look at compressors on eBay before I had them look at it and you can get brand new air-con compressors for £430 with a 2 year warranty.

Luckily mine didn't need one,.... yet <LOL>

 

[DaKa]

I used Bonair also - they changed my compressor and insisted it had to be a genuine Lexus part and that meant £220 for the part!

It's very unlikely to be that the aircon/compressor can't be fixed by specialist dealing with auto aircon solely as stated above.

Good luck