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SUVs Mazda CX-7 Mazda CX-7 AC problems
150 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 9:21 PM
You are in the Mazda CX-7 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: wwest (Apr 23, 2009 8:18 am) With that said I am looking for some reassurance and advice: Yesterday (May 10th, 2009) my AC compressor clutch went out on my 2007 touring CX-7 Below I have listed the facts: 1. I am 300 miles over warranty 36,300 2. I had a full (top of the line) inspection at the top mazda dealer in Omaha before the warranty expired less than a month ago 3. The dealership feels bad that this has happened and offered to pay for all labor costs 4. I have to pay parts $1,200 for a new A/C compressor clutch My question are: 1. Should they have foreseen this problem? (I understand not all things are able to be foreseen) 2. Is $1,200 sound right for a new AC clutch? 3. Would I be safe with a used AC clutch? Thanks in advance for the help! CDCAMP UPDATE: my A/C compressor went out at 36,300 miles (300 miles after warranty). Dealership said they would pay for labor because I had a full inspection 3 weeks ago on the vehicle. Below is service sequence of events: Before I go into the summary of conversation I first want to say that all the dealership and Mazda customer service personnel were highly professional and very kind. I too was professional (IMO) and was not trying to flame them but, trying to reach a reasonable solution to the problem: 1. Dealership: Woodhouse Mazda - Omaha 1. They acknowledge that this is one of the main problems on CX-7's 2. They acknowledge that the old A/C unit is faulty (Because the new unit is a redesign) 3. They acknowledge that they do not check this problem as a "preventative maintenance" check (prewarranty) 4. They acknowledge that they have a significant markup on parts ($1,200) so "Free Labor" is just another tool used for customer service 2. Called Mazda customer service 1. They said that they might be able to file a "Post Warranty Claim" 2. While on hold he spoke to the warranty and they said the "district manager" knew the situation and approved "Free Labor" as the best they could do. 3. Mazda (Customer Service) then claimed that was the best they could do. So in conclusion, I am out $1,200 dollars because of a faulty (Poorly designed) A/C compressor. So not only was I on the side of busy highway switching my baby and baby's car seat into my surprisingly reliable BMW 5 series (with 75,000 miles) but, now I have to pay 30% margin on new parts.... But hey the Labor is Free!! Thanks MAZDA!! Be Warned: THIS PART WILL FAIL (Make sure it fails before your warranty is up) CDCAMP |
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Replying to: cdcamp (May 11, 2009 12:52 pm) Exactly how would one go about doing that?  But seriously, I'm not sure there's anything you can do at this point except try to talk them into giving you a bigger break on the cost. Even if they had inspected the clutch, anything they might have discovered would likely have been designated as "normal wear." tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper |
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Replying to: cdcamp (May 11, 2009 12:52 pm) Check with an aftermarket shop and you may get by with lower cost parts AND labor included. Just a quick check with Google indicates automotive A/C clutches sell for ~$100 and compressors for <&400. As the rabbit said as the combine approached "I'm about to be REAPED!"
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Replying to: wwest (May 12, 2009 8:42 am)
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Replying to: sdbobo619 (May 13, 2009 10:10 pm) Not to be on Mazda's side, not by any means, but it was about this time period that many manufacturers began the switch to the new variable displacement compressors to improve FE. And God knows the CX-7 could use some FE improvment. |
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Replying to: satz24 (Feb 08, 2009 1:02 pm) |
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Replying to: satz24 (Feb 08, 2009 1:02 pm)
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Replying to: runnernic (Jun 02, 2009 11:40 am) Most of these vehicles, if not all, do not have any type of indication to the driver as to what or why this has happened. But in most vehicles this disabling of the AC compressor would be so temporary that the driver would take no notice. "..every time i accelerate..." Hmmmm... TurboCharged engine...water cooled turbo....?? Newer variable displacement AC compressor...?? Lets suppose your engine is normally running slightly hot, on the hot side of the operational envelope. Then add the extra HEAT of cooling the turbo when you are accelerating and it could be entirely possible that the AC compressor will be disabled until the engine coolant temperature declines to something nearer to normal operating temperature. The old fixed displacement AC compressor systems always had a reservoir for temporary storage of liquid refrigerant. The compressor only ran if/when this "reserve" was exhausted. The new variable displacement compressor can be set to compress refrigerant ONLY as fast as it is being used up. So if the compressor is disabled even for a relatively short period the loss of cooling effects will noticed almost immediately. But it sounds as if your engine/turbo/coolant may be always running slightly HOT.
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I found this forum as a result of searching for AC Compressor problems on my 2007 Mazda CX-7. I was about 250 miles from home when my vehicle became non-drive able. I would like to add the following information: 1) The vehicle has just under 44,000 miles on it. 2) Dealership tells me that the cost to repair just the compressor (which seized) is $1,400 (I do not know if this includes labor, but I suspect that it does NOT). 3) Dealership tells me that there are NO parts available in the United States! 4) Dealership tells me that there are over 300 orders a head of mine for AC Compressors. This tells me that this is a KNOW FAILURE! 5) Dealership states that even if he gets my part prioritized (as my car is non-drive able) that I can't expect to be back on the road until at least the end of June. Oh yeah, let me mention that my battery cables have melted due to this problem. I'm going to report this to NHTSA and find any other forum that I can to air my complaints. I can NOT afford a repair that will cost over $2,000 for a vehicle that is just over 2 years old, especially when I'm learning that this is a KNOW FAILURE. |
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Replying to: theblackscotty (Jun 16, 2009 3:35 am) MELTED...?? Those are pretty damn healthy cables. The ONLY time I have seen that happen was with the ignition key stuck in the "start" position keeping the starter engaged with the engine running. The starter, accordingly, acted as an engine driven generator and attempted to charge the battery to an "infinite" voltage. Melted the insulation off of the battery cables and the ground wire burned open. I can think of NO other reason for melted battery cables, not even a "runaway" voltage regulator. |
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