DIY Request: AC Amplifier Replacement

[YarMinor]

I've been driving around in my hb for six years, suffering in silence over the fumundah cheese smell coming out of my vents. I recently came upon the TSB to replace the AC amplifier to eliminate HVAC odor. Of course the warranty for my 07 is long expired!

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has replaced this themselves and/or how difficult was it? I've done a few minor modifications to the car (Cruise control installation, etc.) and would like to know if it's out of my league.

Alternatively, would anyone happen to know what a dealer would charge for the replacement?

[CTScott]

It is very easy to replace, but it alone won't do much for the funk. The TSB also involves changing the evaportator within the airbox.

To access the AC Amplifier (ECU), simply pull back the corner of the carpet by the gas pedal and you will see it tucked into a notch in the airbox. Remove the 10mm bolt that secures it and disconnect the one or two connectors from it (cold are Yaris have two, non cold area have one).

[YarMinor]

I see. Thanks for the reply.

Is it much harder to change the evaporator? How much would a mechanic charge to replace it?

[CTScott]

I see. Thanks for the reply.

Is it much harder to change the evaporator? How much would a mechanic charge to replace it?

The evaporator requires removing the entire dash and the support structure under it to then remove the airbox and disconnecting the evaporator and recovering the Freon. From there it needs to be opened to remove the evaporator. Labor would be somewhere between 4 and 8 hours.

[fnkngrv]

I see. Thanks for the reply.

Is it much harder to change the evaporator? How much would a mechanic charge to replace it?


You would want a reputable Toyota dealership do the replacement and be sure that they have done them already successfully because several folks who have had it done have said that their dash has never been the same since.

[dragoonmc]

Does anyone know what was changed in the evaporator to correct that issue? or how the AC amplifier fits into the issue?

[YarMinor]

Bump for dragoonmc's answer.

Also, another post mentioned that the smell may be due to a drain clogging up somewhere? I couldn't find any more detail other than an AC drain clogging and/or backing up. Does anyone know how to check for this?

[CTScott]

Does anyone know what was changed in the evaporator to correct that issue? or how the AC amplifier fits into the issue?

The evaporator itself. The TSBs are pretty vague, but my understanding is that they made some kind of a change (be it fin design or treatment of the aluminum) to prevent the evaporator from being part of the source of the stink. I would suspect that either the surface of the aluminum promotes bacteria adhesion and growth, or the layout of the fins causes condensate to not fully shed.

[YarMinor]

Just got off the phone with the dealer.

Amplifier - $400
Evaporator - $300
Six hours of Labor - $900

The smell sucks, but I'm not shelling out $1,600 for it. Wish I saw the TSB when it was still under warranty.......

He recommended cleaning and flushing the system for $109. Does that sound like it would change anything?

[CTScott]

Just got off the phone with the dealer.

Amplifier - $400
Evaporator - $300
Six hours of Labor - $900

The smell sucks, but I'm not shelling out $1,600 for it. Wish I saw the TSB when it was still under warranty.......

He recommended cleaning and flushing the system for $109. Does that sound like it would change anything?

It would help temporarily.