Turn on AC and car engine cuts out…

[Ishaq]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is having a great Bank Holiday weekend.

I was until I turned on my AC and the car shut down on me on main road. Tried starting up again and switched off straight away. Switched off the AC and the car starts and drives all good.

Tried turning in AC in a safe place and again car engine stops. Inspected everything and belt seems to me moving all okay without the AC on however stops when AC on.

Does anyone know what it could be?

Also is it okay to drive without the AC on? Car drives fine and I’ve done 5-6 miles already in this state.

So I have a Lexus IS250 2006 Auto, 118K on the clock. 
 

Thank you

[LIJO151]

I'd start by checking the fuses. 

[johnatg]

Compressor seized? 

[johnatg]

Just now, johnatg said:

Compressor seized? 

OK to drive with the aircon off. 

[Linas.P]

I had exactly same problem twice. In simple terms it will be stuck or seizing A/C compressor. Once the clutch was still working, so RPM would jump for some time then A/C light would start flashing. Second time clutch failed as well, so the engine could not be started without removing belt from AC compressor. In your case it sounds like clutch works, so you can basically turn-off A/C compressor and start the car.

When was the last A/C service done (has to be done every 2 years)? And yes as John said it is fine to drive car without A/C on, it does not hurt the car at all, but generally it is recommended to keep it on, so that compressor oil moves around and lubricates A/C system.

 

[Herbie]

8 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

When was the last A/C service done (has to be done every 2 years).

I'm being pedantic, I know, but no, it does not need to be serviced every two years.

The refrigerant and lubricating oil is kept within a sealed system. Neither the gas nor the oil wear out, degrade, or undergo any changes whatsoever, so that's that part of the system covered. As for the mechanics of it all, I doubt any advanced warning of seizure would be visible, so that's that part of the system dealt with.

Any escape of gas or lubricant would be flagged up by the aircon not getting as cold as it used to, but that would be classed as a fault that needs to be investigated ny the use of vacuum pumps and dyes.

There is absolutely no need to waste money on "routine servicing" of the aircon system.

Sorry, rant over - just one of my pet hates

[Linas.P]

35 minutes ago, Herbie said:

I'm being pedantic, I know, but no, it does not need to be serviced every two years.

The refrigerant and lubricating oil is kept within a sealed system. Neither the gas nor the oil wear out, degrade, or undergo any changes whatsoever, so that's that part of the system covered. As for the mechanics of it all, I doubt any advanced warning of seizure would be visible, so that's that part of the system dealt with.

Any escape of gas or lubricant would be flagged up by the aircon not getting as cold as it used to, but that would be classed as a fault that needs to be investigated ny the use of vacuum pumps and dyes.

There is absolutely no need to waste money on "routine servicing" of the aircon system.

Sorry, rant over - just one of my pet hates

That is sort of "best practice" or let's say "preventative maintenance", as well "recommended" for most makes... alternatively you get compressor seized once in a while and pay £700 for repair. Both are possible options one can take 😄 I rather stay with A/C service for £50 once every 2 years, in my experience that works out cheaper than new compressor + service every 6-8 years.

Now I agree that if you always have A/C ON and drive daily the system should last longer, it may sound counterintuitive at first, but the more one uses A/C the better for the A/C system. This is because apart of refrigerant there is oil, which moves around system when used, lubricates seals and all the parts and prevents wear and leakage. On the other hand if A/C is not used regularly or car is not used regularly then the oil simply pools in few places and let's seals to dry, that results in leak, leak results in oil leaking out and that results in premature wear to parts like compressor... and seizure. My first compressor seized because I don't think it was services ever... and I didn't think of it when I got the car, because A/C was cold and "worked fine". The second compressor seized after car was not driven and parked-up for over a year during covid and later the person I gave it to was driving without A/C, "because in winter he did not feel hot to need an A/C", sure enough came the spring, he turned on the A/C for first time in a while and it locked-up when driving on motorway leaving him stranded on the side of the road as A/C clutch seized and accessory belt could not turn at all. But A/C was cold all the way until there was no A/C no more - so I can't agree that A/C would have to always stop cooling before it seizes.

 

[J Henderson]

Herbie, a quality rant though and one that has definitely saved me money. 😃

I've been tempted a few times to get an AC service done because every now and again, I'll recieve an offer like this in my inbox.

I leave my A/C on all the time and it seems cold enough, but that claim of losing 15% refrigerant every year is what got me spooked. So this is total BS?

[Ishaq]

1 hour ago, johnatg said:

OK to drive with the aircon off. 

Thank you John and everyone. Just got home from visiting family. Drove car with AC off and all was good.

Will check fuse tomorrow morning and fingers crossed it is that.

[Ishaq]

1 hour ago, Linas.P said:

I had exactly same problem twice. In simple terms it will be stuck or seizing A/C compressor. Once the clutch was still working, so RPM would jump for some time then A/C light would start flashing. Second time clutch failed as well, so the engine could not be started without removing belt from AC compressor. In your case it sounds like clutch works, so you can basically turn-off A/C compressor and start the car.

When was the last A/C service done (has to be done every 2 years)? And yes as John said it is fine to drive car without A/C on, it does not hurt the car at all, but generally it is recommended to keep it on, so that compressor oil moves around and lubricates A/C system.

 

Haven’t serviced the AirCon system but did get re-gassed in February by ATS. I always drive with Aircon on and on circulate even in winter when I am using heat. The AC is active always.

[Ishaq]

Hope it’s not a seized AC compressor as looking at costs looks like a few hundred supply and fitted 😞

[Ishaq]

BTW my AC was working a treat and ice cold before suddenly the car stopped.

[Linas.P]

54 minutes ago, Ishaq said:

AirCon system but did get re-gassed in February by ATS. 

That is basically what A/C service is. They re-gas and at the same time refill the oil, machine does everything in single operation and you usually get receipt saying how many grams of gas and millilitres of oil was recovered, before refilling with correct amount.

So your A/C was serviced and used in the way which should have preserved it most. In other hand it is 16 years old part, so not bad going. My car got 2 compressors in same time, but it was 200k miles.

To be fair with you I can't think of anything else considering your symptoms, if it would be just the case of A/C not blowing cold air, or A/C light flashing, then you could potentially be looking at A/C clutch relay, or pressure sensors, but because your engine is stalling... the seized compressor is really the only thing that can cause it.

[Ishaq]

15 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

That is basically what A/C service is. They re-gas and at the same time refill the oil, machine does everything in single operation and you usually get receipt saying how many grams of gas was and millilitres of oil was recovered, before refilling with correct amount.

So your A/C was serviced and used in the way which should have preserved it most. In other hand it is 16 years old part, so not bad going. My car got 2 compressors in same time, but it was 200k miles.

To be fair with you I can't think of anything else considering your symptoms, if it would be just the case of A/C not blowing cold air, or A/C light flashing, then you could potentially be looking at A/C clutch relay, or pressure sensors, but because your engine is stilling seized compressor is really the only thing that can cause it.

Thank you Linas, 

will look at costs for AC compressors in London. 

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, J Henderson said:

Herbie, a quality rant though and one that has definitely saved me money. 😃

I've been tempted a few times to get an AC service done because every now and again, I'll recieve an offer like this in my inbox.

I leave my A/C on all the time and it seems cold enough, but that claim of losing 15% refrigerant every year is what got me spooked. So this is total BS?

Absolutely.

Of course, it does rely on people knowing how to use aircon properly in the first place and I completely agree with Linas there. It should really never be turned off because again, as Linas says, it's the circulation of lubricating oil that keeps the rubber seals supple and prevents them from drying out, therefore preventing an escape of gas and oil.

If that one condition is met then there is absolutely no need whatsoever to mess about with having the aircon "serviced". The clue is really in the name as it's all one big (air)con

I've had cars for 10 years that have been as icy cold as the day I bought them and never had a service done on the AC. Only just last week, in a different topic, @steve2006 said that he'd owned his Celsior for 26 years and never had it serviced and it was still as cold as ever when he sold it.

[Las Palmas]

As long as AC is functioning there is no need to do anything about it. It usually start cooling less when it needs to be serviced.

[Linas.P]

1 hour ago, Herbie said:

Absolutely.

Of course, it does rely on people knowing how to use aircon properly in the first place and I completely agree with Linas there. It should really never be turned off because again, as Linas says, it's the circulation of lubricating oil that keeps the rubber seals supple and prevents them from drying out, therefore preventing an escape of gas and oil.

If that one condition is met then there is absolutely no need whatsoever to mess about with having the aircon "serviced". The clue is really in the name as it's all one big (air)con

I've had cars for 10 years that have been as icy cold as the day I bought them and never had a service done on the AC. Only just last week, in a different topic, @steve2006 said that he'd owned his Celsior for 26 years and never had it serviced and it was still as cold as ever when he sold it.

You are lucky guys!

[Ishaq]

Linas, may I ask if you got a new ac compressor and if so how much was the bill.

Thank you

[johnatg]

Check this:

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163090823963?fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&epid=13039424755&hash=item25f8f87b1b:g:D6UAAOSwirFbHScb

[Las Palmas]

When you get it fixed, keep AC on. Do not turn off.

In summer it helps keep temperature OK.

In winter it helps keep car interior dry.

[Bluesman]

I have always kept my ac on all the time and in 12 years she has never complained.

[Linas.P]

4 hours ago, Ishaq said:

Linas, may I ask if you got a new ac compressor and if so how much was the bill.

Thank you

I got used one and got it refurbished, costing £180 for me, but it only lasted 5 years. I am not sure what second replacement was. If you check the thread I have linked, the other members discuss part numbers and suppliers there as well, so you may find it useful. 

[Ishaq]

Update:

Hi Linas, thank you for linking your thread and I have read your symptoms.

While I wait for the parts to be ordered by a air-con specialist, out of curiosity I tried the Air-con button today and my car did not stop but the rev started to jump and the AC light was flashing. The temperature did not cool, so I switched it off and all was normal again.

I have been quoted £650 for a new part and regas on the basis of my diagnosis. My wife reminded me that we have AA parts and Labour which covers £535 for repairs but the garage said if we use AA then the charge would be £780 plus £75 diagnostic. This means that I would pay the extra after the AA contribution.

Reading the terms of AA I have to be broken down and AA called, inspect them they take me to a garage.

[Linas.P]

On 6/7/2022 at 11:48 PM, Ishaq said:

Reading the terms of AA I have to be broken down and AA called, inspect them they take me to a garage.

So do it, I am pretty sure they can be called even to your home address. They don't need to know when it started, only that fault is still present. After all you paying for cover, so why not use it.

[Ishaq]

Quick update: After being told by AA that they do not cover garage cost for air condition unit, I looked on eBay for second hand compressor.

Found a place in Rainham, Essex that supplied and fitted the second hand unit in a hour for £220. I then purchased a AC regas with ATS via Groupon for £38.

So £258 and my beloved IS is now ice cold.

Thank you everyone for all your help, I guess I could t have timed it better with the heatwave next week.