[ownsandecho]

Earlier today, while waiting at a red light, the engine on my 2001 Echo stalled. It has automatic transmission, so it wasn't me manhandling the clutch...

I started the engine, and as soon as the A/C tried to engage, it stalled again. I turned the A/C off, restarted the car and moved on.

When I got home I tested again, and the engine stalls when I try to turn on the A/C. If the car is moving when I push the A/C button the engine coughs and the car buckles.

It sounds like the compressor is seized. How common is this? I've never had this happen before in any car.

It's a 2001 Echo with 205,000 miles (trouble free I might add, other than consumables I never had to fix anything).

 

[Rollerscate]

You answered your own question, yes it sounds like a seized compressor.
I would also check the clutch and bearing.

This is not uncommon, just look at the location of the compressor at 8" off the ground.

Rollerscate.

 

[ownsandecho]

You answered your own question, yes it sounds like a seized compressor.
I would also check the clutch and bearing.

This is not uncommon, just look at the location of the compressor at 8" off the ground.

Rollerscate.

To close up this thread... the compressor had seized. A new compressor has been in place for a while now, and working well.

 

[ericlp]

Just wondering... What it cost for that and what all 'else' did they replace besides the compressor? Does it cool better? I think mine is on it's way out as well, and it's not cooling at all now, a little but not even worth it to push the button any more.

Thanks!

 

[ownsandecho]

Just wondering... What it cost for that and what all 'else' did they replace besides the compressor? Does it cool better? I think mine is on it's way out as well, and it's not cooling at all now, a little but not even worth it to push the button any more.

I don't have the invoice here with me, but I believe it was in the $600 range, done by a local mechanic. I replaced the power and drive belts at the same time.

It cools noticeably better. Then again, the compressor in my car was the original one, and it had over 200,000 miles on it.

Check the refrigerant level, it may be low. In my case, I would replenish it every so often, but there was obviously a leak in the system. Looks like it was in the compressor, because with the new one, the pressure is staying up.