Lexus GS300 A/C Compressor and Clutch
Your Lexus A/C compressor and clutch is a vital part of your vehicle’s air conditioning system. You can still drive your Lexus without it, but the A/C won’t work. To keep your car rides comfortable, you need to maintain your Lexus A/C compressor clutch along with the other parts of the air conditioning unit.
What does your Lexus GS300 A/C compressor clutch do?Your Lexus GS300’s A/C compressor clutch controls the operation of your A/C compressor. When you turn on the air conditioning in your GS300, the compressor clutch is activated. The clutch tells the compressor to pressurize the refrigerant, changing it from a gas into a liquid. The liquid then passes through the condenser and begins to change back into a gas. At this point, the liquid is extremely cold. The A/C system blows air over the cold liquid, which cools the air. The clutch is what initiates and controls this process.
How do you know if your compressor clutch needs replacing?If the A/C in your model Lexus GS300 stops blowing out cold air, the A/C compressor clutch may need to be replaced. You might also hear a noise whenever you turn on the air conditioning. However, before replacing your A/C compressor clutch, you should check for other problems. You should make sure the cooling fans are working, that there’s no dirt or debris blocking the condenser, and that your cabin filter is clean. To further narrow down the problem, you can run the vehicle with the A/C set to maximum. Open the hood and look at the A/C clutch, which is the middle component that brings the pulley into the compressor shaft. If the clutch is not engaging, check to make sure that the compressor is getting power. If it is getting enough voltage, but the clutch is not engaged, then you may need to replace the clutch. If there is no voltage, then you may have a blown fuse.
How do you maintain your Lexus GS300 A/C compressor clutch?To maintain your Lexus GS300’s A/C compressor clutch, you need to maintain the entire A/C unit in your car. There are a few steps to maintaining your vehicle’s air conditioning:
- Run your A/C at least once a week. Do so even if the weather doesn’t call for it. This helps keep the refrigerant in the system from leaking.
- Run your defrost after using the A/C for an extended period of time. This dries out the evaporator core in your Lexus.
- Have your cars A/C serviced every two years.