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05-02-2013, 12:00 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2007 Meteorite Hatch Join Date: May 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 16
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DIY Request: AC Amplifier Replacement
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? |
05-02-2013, 06:41 AM | #2 |
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Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: USA, CT
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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).
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05-05-2013, 10:23 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2007 Meteorite Hatch Join Date: May 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 16
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I see. Thanks for the reply.
Is it much harder to change the evaporator? How much would a mechanic charge to replace it? |
05-05-2013, 10:31 PM | #4 |
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Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
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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.
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05-05-2013, 10:34 PM | #5 | |
Mr. 155 and climbing
Drives: Seriously Modded 07 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: In The Hotbox
Posts: 4,742
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Quote:
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.
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05-05-2013, 10:46 PM | #6 |
Drives: 07 hatchback Join Date: May 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 118
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Does anyone know what was changed in the evaporator to correct that issue? or how the AC amplifier fits into the issue?
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05-09-2013, 01:26 PM | #7 |
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Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
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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.
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05-09-2013, 01:54 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2007 Meteorite Hatch Join Date: May 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 16
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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? |
05-09-2013, 02:21 PM | #9 | |
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Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008
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Quote:
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05-09-2013, 12:10 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2007 Meteorite Hatch Join Date: May 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 16
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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? |
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