Hi,

A problem happend to my acura TL 1999. As soon as i turn on the AC when driving, there is an accelerating failure and a huge whine/hiss noise if i try to push the accelerating pad. I have to pull over and turn the AC off, restart the car again. I did search the forum and see some cases, but havn't find the cause and solution yet. Any thought? Thanks

 

Sounds like your ac compressor seized. In addition to a compressor, you should replace the receiver/drier to protect your new compressor. You might also have to flush out your condensor or replace it. I'm guessing you're not going to do this yourself?

 

Hey, thanks a lot.
I went to the dealer today and they pointed out the same problem. I was told that the commpressor needs to be replaced. The weird thing is that they quote me 350 (including both part and labour). The part cost around 208. I searched online and it seems ought to be way more expensive.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

Actually, the person answering the phone is not very professional. I called again to request old part after replacement and she told me she was wrong the first time and the compressor is fine. Some thing called "pulley" needs to be replaced. I searched again and it does not seem right either, since the pulley is really cheap. I don't know if it is their stratagy to confuse consumer or what. I agree to have it done since it is not horriblly expensive. Hope it is worth the money.

 

if you have the basic knowledge of tools, you should be able to replace the compressor at home. i have to admit that it does take a bit of time, but you'll save yourself a lot in labor and you could buy the part for cheap at www.oemacuraparts.com or www.acuraautomotiveparts.org it has to be the compressor thats causing the problem. usually when you turn on your ac while driving and you hear the squeal, the compressor is the culprit

 

So what is it, you went to the dealer or you let someone over the phone diagnose your car? you may never get a correct diagnosis if you did it over the phone. Bring it in to get the quote ON Paper!

 

Hey, TLer trash

Thanks. You are right. What the dealer did is they replace the clutch and unplug the compressor (if I understand right). So the A/C won't work, but I can still drive the car. 350 is for the clutch replacment work. If i want to, they quote around 1000 something for the AC. That is what you have suggested. I guess I will pick up something from junk yard and get them replaced later.

 

replacing the clutch on the compressor is cheaper than the entire unit, and the pulley is part of that clutch system

Service Writers are rarely techs- and they are trying to relay information they dont fully understand- talking to parts dept for pricing- looking things up on the computer for labor etc

Try a local parts store for price on unit
When you let it sit for months- it will need more parts - sitting unused kills ac

 

Hi,

The clutch has been replaced and AC is unplugged (from where?). I can drive the car with heating now. But I feel that the acceleration pedal is not as smooth as it was before. There is something wrong with it. I am just wondering should I get it checked? or it is fine.
Another question is the disconnected AC is not going to damage other part of the car, right?

 

I don't know why your acceleration would be any different, but it won't hurt the car to run it with the ac disconnected. Your defrost won't work as well without the ac especially if it's really humid. Ac dries air as well as cool it.