AC Compressor is busted

[mudassar.latif.94]

Hello. The vehicle in discussion is a Corolla Gli 2010. I had it checked today in Wah Cantt, and the technician found it was making strange noises and providing no cooling. Hence he declared it to be a busted compressor. Here are the replacement options I was given:

1. Honda Life 660cc Compressor (Rs. 18k)
2. Toyota Duet 1000cc Compressor (Rs. 17k)
3. 'Sensor wala Compressor' of Corolla 2009-2018 (Rs. 14k)
4. Honda City Compressor (Rs. 21k)

The compressor currently installed is from a 2005 Corolla Gli. The technician also mentioned that for any compressor I replace the current one with, I would need to replace the condenser (up to Rs. 12k) and a valve (Rs. 3-4k) as well. Labor charges are estimated to be around Rs. 10k. All in all, i am told to expect 40k or more (which is a lot)

I've always found it a bit strange to use compressors from different models, but if it works, I'm open to the idea. I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice on which option to go for.

Please give me ideas and suggestions of what I should do. Thank you in advance.
Location: Wah Cantt/Rawalpindi/Islamabad

[msabbasi]

For my classic cars I use New Eastern Air Condition located in G-7 Chenab market shop number 8. They are very knowledgeable and will guide you down the correct path. Jobs that other shops turn down, these guys receive with open arms.

[goharhameed1212]

Sir have you found any solution.I am from rwp aswell and my 16 model altis sensor compressor trips sometimes and leaves cooling. Mechanics have told me to replace it with duet or city's compressor and dont go for replacement of solenoid sensor as it usually dont works. Please guide me what to do

[pwuser153574066454]

Hi brother need your help im also facing the same problem with the same vehicle (GLi 1.3) and have to replace the compressor. Can we talk on call if possible please?

[ammarjarral]

Well I had the problem with compressor, I have run over 300,000 km on xli 2011. I changed the sensor but it worked only for 1 week and now compressor is completely dead. I have no other choice but to avail alternate option. I am installing honda life compressor in it hope it will work OK.

[mudassar.latif.94]

The duet compressor has been serving me fine. The cooling is great and I am somewhat satisfied with the outcome. The car takes a little load and the rpm drops sometimes, but this is all that could be done under budget. I would recommend an original compressor, but if budget is a concern, then the duet's compressor will do fine

[Xulfiqar]

Did you replace the solenoid with a scrapyard one?

[chinyoti]

The engine on the 2008/2014 corolla is similar to 2002 / 2008 Gli but their are technical changes.

The sensor wala compressor takes much less load but is fragile. Hence most AC guys used to replace it with old Clutch compressor that came in 2002/2008 Corollas.

No doubt thoose are pretty dheet compressors. Technically thoose are bolt on so if you aren't going for the sensor wala compressor try to find Corolla 2002/2008 compressor so no alterations are required.

Since you already have electronic connection jugaar done.

Else move back to sensor wala compressor that would be healthy for your car too.

Please don't go for duet wala city wala compressor they require a alteration plate and all your life you will hear a tick tick sound and chances are loose nuts will make it fall also.

[haseeb.basharat]

Please don't go for duet wala city wala compressor they require a alteration plate and all your life you will hear a tick tick sound and chances are loose nuts will make it fall also.

Installed that and working fine from 100k kms now.
My original compressor had fault from day one in a 2016 1.8 cvti. They kept avoiding warranty, it used to make bad humming noise too. At 100k kms odo it made a bad sound and died. Using duet compressor from 100k kms now, and really happy with it. Never faced bolts issues at all.

[pwuser168769465373]

I wrote a detailed response here

2010 GLI owner here. I have gone through this whole process. The ac on my car stopped at 135k kms 4 years ago. At first it started tripping randomly. We got the condenser and ac coil cleaned and gas checked but issue persisted. We spent 2 years like this because we don't drive the car that much. Anyways last year we decided to fix this issue once in for all. This is what I learned. Corolla 10th gen (E140 2009 - 2013) come with a clutchless variable compressor. This type of compressor is always…

[haseeb.basharat]

Go for city compressor. I heard it's better then duet and gives less load.

[Xulfiqar]

I will never understand how ive rebuilt hundreds of ac compressors with new seals, bolts and variable solenoid and every single one worked flawlessly forever, had a client with a specific weird engine configuration mercedes suv and its compressor forgot how to pump. It was a denso 7SBU series and no dealer had this in the country, min wait time was months.

I overhauled it with new parts from my supplier. New solenoid (needed an extra shotkey in the wiring because new solenoid didnt have one built in)

Its been working for more than 60k miles (100k kms) without breaking a sweat. absolute zero issues. (TX is hot! And that suv cabin is huge)

What sort of mechanics are you guys hiring that cannot get a basic variable compressor working in 2025, this tech is now 30 years old.

Similarly ive redone tons of toyotas too. Work fantastic! Never had the need to downgrade to older spec.

[pwuser162557941033]

What sort of mechanics are you guys hiring that cannot get a basic variable compressor working in 2025, this tech is now 30 years old.

I can pontificate on this a bit since I'm currently struggling to get my AC system working correctly.

They aren't mechanics. They're uneducated, barely educated, or "went to Saudia." We have a disastrously high birth rate and population, lots of undereducated/uneducated kids and fresh adults that have to earn their keep. They are advised to try the "AC wala dhanda" and learn from some ustaad. They all act the same:

• Attach low side gauge only
• Charge by andaza and feeling line for thandak
• Must say that compressor "load" deta/leta hay
• Vacuuming is a scam and unnecessary. If at risk of leaving, fridge compressor run for 10 minutes = vacuum to placate the customer
• Check for leaks by submerging components in filthy water
• Duet/Honda Life/Terios Kid compressor is the ultimate solution.
• Remove all safety pressure switches, run all fans with the AC running otherwise "head pressure"
• Justify rates for USA gas rather than China gas or Malaysia gas. As if they have flavors.

Not a soul ever talks about rebuilding a compressor. It's a black box to them, it either works, is "kamzor", or needs to be replaced. One guy openly admitted to me that my money and time was being used on trial and error.

It's a complete loss.