A/C Compressor Replacement Cost

[guest9822]

Hello,

I have a 2009 Honda Jazz EX with non-functioning AC. Air blows fine. Heat is fine. The AC cannot cool the air however.

A mechanic just diagnosed that the AC is bust and it would cost ~£1000 for an aftermarket compressor or ~£1400 for a Honda official one. This cost is too much relative to the cost of the car. Do you think its worth calling other garages to see if there are cheaper quotes or that's probably the best I could get?

Thanks

[NoelM]

Try looking in a scrapyard.

[guest9822]

Try looking in a scrapyard.

As in - find a used compressor and ask a garage to fit the used part? I've never tried the supply-your-own-parts way of getting cars repaired, is this something that garages tend to be receptive to?

[geoffchats]

I would get an Air-con specialist to check it out, rather than a mechanic. My '09 Jazz EX had a similar problem last week and it just needed a re-gas. I was quoted £200, including labour, if it needed a new condenser which is the most common failure. Compressors can fail, he told me, but it's unusual. The re-gas and system pressure check cost me £55...
He also told me that after-market condensers are fine (he's never had a warranty claim) and not to worry about needing to spend money on OEM parts...
And my independent service garage is more than happy to fit parts I've supplied, just so long as the quality is ok. But they also supply original or non-OEM parts if required. My Jazz has done 81,000 miles in 12 years and in the 4+ years I've had it, the running costs, other than regular servicing etc., have been negligible. I get an average of 48/52mpg and I intend to keep the car for as long as it's economically viable.

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[VicW]

A mechanic just diagnosed that the AC is bust and it would cost ~£1000 for an aftermarket compressor or ~£1400 for a Honda official one.

This is the most common answer you will get from a Honda garage. Did they carry out a proper regas before diagnosing the compressor was faulty? This is the only way they could have checked the system out for low pressure and leaks. Is the compressor cutting in and out at roughly 8 second intervals, listen for the condensor cooling fan. If the pressure is low the compressor will not cut in as a safety measure. A regas may operate for a while if you have a slow leak. As said an aircon specialist is a better bet especially one that comes recommended.

Vic.

[guest9822]

A mechanic just diagnosed that the AC is bust and it would cost ~£1000 for an aftermarket compressor or ~£1400 for a Honda official one.

This is the most common answer you will get from a Honda garage. Did they carry out a proper regas before diagnosing the compressor was faulty? This is the only way they could have checked the system out for low pressure and leaks. Is the compressor cutting in and out at roughly 8 second intervals, listen for the condensor cooling fan. If the pressure is low the compressor will not cut in as a safety measure. A regas may operate for a while if you have a slow leak. As said an aircon specialist is a better bet especially one that comes recommended.

Vic.

Hello,

Yeah they completed a regas, it's what they had initially thought it might be over the phone. It wasn't a Honda garage, it was Farmers Autocare. Still a chain though.

I have been able to observe myself that the compressor isn't engaging at all. Also the self diagnostic doesn't come back with any error codes and the sensors seem to be recording correct temperature and humidity values.

I've contacted https://www.acwizard.co.uk/ to see if they'll take a look. They are a bit out the way but could be worth it to get a 2nd opinion.

I am happy to conduct further checks myself in the meantime if there are any that you would suggest.

[sparky Paul]

If the mechanic has checked that there is 12V to the clutch and it's not pulling in, you should be able to pick up a used compressor on ebay for £60.

If he's just using the "suck it and see" diagnosis method, and many do, you really need an aircon specialist to do a proper diagnostic on the system - make sure the clutch output is on, and if not, what the pressure switch is doing. Could be a faulty clutch relay, pressure switch, under pressure, over pressure etc., there are lots of possible causes.

[Jocko]

They are a bit out the way

Take it you are east central Scotland?

[culzean]

If the mechanic has checked that there is 12V to the clutch and it's not pulling in, you should be able to pick up a used compressor on ebay for £60.

If he's just using the "suck it and see" diagnosis method, and many do, you really need an aircon specialist to do a proper diagnostic on the system - make sure the clutch output is on, and if not, what the pressure switch is doing. Could be a faulty clutch relay, pressure switch, under pressure, over pressure etc., there are lots of possible causes.

When I diagnosed the blown solenoid on my Civic clutch I pulled out the Aircon relay.  You will see 4 sockets in the fusebox when you remove the relay  ( it is a single pole relay with just 2 small coil contacts and 2 large main contacts ).  On one of the large sockets will be 12volts permanent feed via a fuse, the other large socket is wired down to earth via the clutch solenoid winding and a 'thermal cutout' contact - the thermal device is just a normally closed 'thermostat' that is fitted to the compressor,  and the contact opens if the compressor gets too hot, opening the circuit  to the solenoid.   If you can see about 4 ohms resistance between the relay socket and an earth point on the car body ( or negative battery terminal ) the solenoid is intact,  if it measures infinite resistance the coil winding may be broken or the wiring fallen off,  or the thermostat may be open circuit. 

A simpler check is to bridge out the two large relay sockets with a piece of wire and see if you can hear the clutch solenoid clicking in and out,  you can do this even without the engine running or the ignition turned on because the aircon relay is fed direct from live busbar via a fuse ( which is why a sticking aircon relay contact will drain your battery quick smart when the car is parked ).  If the solenoid does not click in and out check the relay sockets with a voltmeter to check if one of them has 12vdc on it, as it may simply be a blown fuse.

The replacement clutch was about £50,  but it is a nightmare to remove old one and fit new one,  had to remove wheel arch plastic liner and take off the bumper to get decent access,  and the whole clutch assembly is held on with two ginormous internal circlips down a deep recess, I had to invest in some substantial long nosed circlip pliers.  You have to take tension off spring loaded belt tensioner to remove clutch drive pulley,  I just took the opportunity to fit a new serpentine aux belt while it was all exposed.

[guest9822]

They are a bit out the way

Take it you are east central Scotland?

Yeah I am in Falkirk.

[guest9822]

 ( which is why a sticking aircon relay contact will drain your battery quick smart when the car is parked )

Interesting. I did have a single incident late last year where the battery completely drained (to the point of having to manually open the door locks). I never got to the bottom of that and it never recurred. I wonder if it's related....

[culzean]

 ( which is why a sticking aircon relay contact will drain your battery quick smart when the car is parked )

Interesting. I did have a single incident late last year where the battery completely drained (to the point of having to manually open the door locks). I never got to the bottom of that and it never recurred. I wonder if it's related....

4 ohms will draw over 3 amps from battery,  which would see a Jazz battery off overnight.  There was a service bulletin about the original Omron relay fitted to Civic being liable to stick closed, I replaced it with the recommended Mitsuba replacement.

[123Drive!]

Check the part number and photos and pick one up from eBay. There lots of old Jazz out there.

My 1994 Civic BelAir had the same problem after 10 yrs and my uncle brought one back from a scrap yard in Hong Kong, £30. My independent did it for £50. Honda wanted £300 plus!

[guest9822]

Got the AC Wizard (linked earlier) coming this week. Should get a proper diagnosis from them.

[Ozzie]

I had a new non-Honda compressor fitted and regassed, for £637 a couple of years ago