Finding The Sweet Spot For Replacement A/C Compressors

[macarose]

We're replacing the A/C compressor on a 2009 Toyota Prius Touring.

Everything on it has been maintained at the dealer and I always make it a point to buy parts for our dealership that are high quality.

However this is also a 17 year old car. So we can't opt for the high-dollar Toyota factory unit.

Or maybe we can? These are a few thoughts I have on where the sweet spot may be...

1) Find the highest rated one on Amazon which includes the harness. Apparently removing one from an older unit and attaching it is a huge pain.

2) Go on Ebay or Rockauto for the same type of unit.

3) Everything else I'm pretty much having my doubts on, but maybe there's a hidden in-road to a good OEM unit. You can't easily find a low-mileage or recently replaced OEM A/C compressor without doing a lot of searching. A junkyard unit would NEED to not have a front end accident AND a recently replaced unit. Or one with unusually low miles. Car-part.com isn't showing many of those.

There has to be some type of value opportunity with this. The vehicle has been serviced at the dealer since day one and I would like to see the next owner enjoy it for another 7 to 10 years.

Any success stories or experience handling this would be welcome.

 

[Rand]

whats the failure mode?
or are you also replacing the condenser etc.
the oil in the old compressor can tell you alot about why it failed.

 

[spasm3]

whats the failure mode?
or are you also replacing the condenser etc.
the oil in the old compressor can tell you alot about why it failed.

Yes, it's one thing to have a failure due to the clutch , or leak from the compressor.

It's another if it throws metal into the system, where you have to replace the condenser, receiver, flush lines, replace expansion valve etc

 

[Trav]

Get the OE online, it is about $100 more than cheap Rock Auto ones. This one is to 3/2009 so check it with your VIN.

Prius A/C compressor

 

[CarbonToast]

I bought a four seasons off rockauto for my subaru. It has been fine, been on the vehicle for about 1 years.

 

[Capt W]

The "high-dollar Toyota factory unit" is just a Denso ES18C. You can get a new or reman unit from many different sources. These are clutchless electric units.

I'd tilt toward a real parts supplier for this...and away from Amazon. With the latter there's a very high probability of receiving a counterfeit part (or just straight-up China trash).

 

[macarose]

whats the failure mode?
or are you also replacing the condenser etc.
the oil in the old compressor can tell you alot about why it failed.

It turned out to be a fuse. It's working fine now but I'm going to be driving it a good bit for my customers to make sure it's a permanent fix.

I really like this vehicle. But as I always tell folks, "Everything I buy ends up as food on the table for my family. I keep nothing but memories."

 

[Marcozi]

A blown fuse? I wonder what caused the fuse to blow. Keep a few spare fuses handy as it will likely blow again.