twylie

iTrader: (3)

Have to replace the AC unit in my '94 SC400 and am wondering if anyone knows what the differences might be between these part numbers? Does Toyota change part numbers for minor alterations or design/vendor?

new part "24090" is $3k
found a used "24100" part for a fraction of that.

87010-24090 UNIT ASSY, AIR CONDITIONER
1993.08-1994.01

87010-24100 UNIT ASSY, AIR CONDITIONER
1994.01-1996.08

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Tabaka

iTrader: (8)

$3,000 lol

Go on the Club Lexus SC classifieds section and create a WTB thread. You shouldn't pay more then $250 for a good used unit.

twylie

iTrader: (3)

Agreed; not really wild about throwing a $3k part at a $4k car. It's my wife's and she loves the car. She's had it 12 years and doesn't want to replace or retire, so it's getting fixed one way or another. Other than flakey heat, excellent condition mechanically/cosmetically.

I found a used unit out of a '95 for $150, but trying to confirm the part number differences are immaterial.

I did find that the late model (08/96 and up) unit 87010-24130 is interchangable to the -24100 series (01/94-08/96), so I'm hopeful the one I found will work and the number changes were nothing functional or wiring related.

Will definitely do the WTB if it turns out the parts won't interchange.

twylie

iTrader: (3)

update:

physically, the units are interchangeable. You need to get a unit that uses the same refrigerant that your car originally shipped with (R-12 or R-134). You will also need to use a control unit (controller at the top of the center stack) that is compatible with the HVAC control unit year. The rough breaks are as follows:

up to late '93 production = R-12
post late '93 production = R-134
up through '97? = early HVAC control
98+ = later HVAC control

My car is a '94, build 12/93. I had R-134 stickers under the hood.
I replaced my AC/Heater unit (the giant unit under the dash) with one from a '98 SC. It mostly worked, but the fan only operated at the lowest and highest speeds. The controller assembly was sending the intermittent signals for fan speed, but I heard a buzzing and no change in fan speed when it did this.

I then ordered a HVAC controller unit out of a '99 and once installed, all functionality was returned. The physical plugs on the back of the HVAC control unit are identical but there is a sight variation in the wiring and a couple of blanked pins between the versions. Having looked at 3 separate units out of the car, there are also differences in the blower motor resistor (late units don't have this), and the power transmitter that attaches at the bottom of the HVAC unit under the dash are different physical shapes and the housings will not interchange. If you swap the entire HVAC assembly, it's fine as the harness all feeds into 3 plugs that attach to the back of the HVAC controller. These 3 plugs are the same for all years, but you need a control unit that matches the HVAC assembly.

My only issue now is that the new control unit has orange backlight and the radio is green, but once I switch those bulbs, I should be back in business. My dealer in Atlanta was outstanding in working with me to troubleshoot, diagnose and work through the various issues on this.

I learned more about the various components and versions of these for the SC than I ever cared to know, but am happy the car is just about back to 100% again.