99 Grand Vitara AC Compressor

[makangli]

I live in Jamaica, and the individual that has been helping me with my AC says that my compressor is bad. I really can't find a place where I can simply take my car and have this replaced. I am looking at purchasing the AC compressor in the States, then returning to Jamaica to have it installed. Question #1: Can I simply buy the AC compressor by itself (providing nothing else is wrong) and have it installed, or is it best to have the whole system replaced? Question #2: I know for a fact that I have a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 4 CYL, 4 Door, 4WD Automatic. I have no idea what the "submodel" is? I see codes online like JS, JLX, etc. Does anyone know?

[fordem]

First - the JL, JLX codes appear to be US market trim levels, I've never seen them used in any other market, and they do not appear to be significant as far as spare part selection goes - at least I have not come across any part where the number was specified based on that code.

Second - your Grand Vitara was never sold as a Grand Vitara in the US, all US Grand Vitaras between 99~05 would have had V6 engines - this makes finding the correct part a little more challenging.

If you PM me your chassis number, I maybe able to locate the correct a/c compressor and then we can attempt to cross reference that against the US models - it's not guaranteed to work, but it's a method I have been using with reasonable success to source parts out of the US.

I'll let someone else deal with the advisability of replacing the compressor alone, but I do believe the type of failure plays a part in determining how you proceed.

[makangli]

Hi, yes the chassis no. begins "JSAFTD62V...............", is that enough to give you an idea? The main reason I ask because one website I was looking at for AC Compressor required the "submodel" code. I bought this vehicle used here in Jamaica. Not sure where it was imported from. It is a righthand drive if that helps. I appreciate your assistance!

[fordem]

If I'm not mistaken the TD62 in the chassis number indicates a used jdm (japanese domestic market) vehicle - if that is correct, I would not be able to look up the parts numbers.

If you'd like me to continue, you'll need to give me the entire chassis number.

[makangli]

Hi, yeah, I tend to believe you are right. Jamaica gets loads of cars from Japan. The entire number is:JSAFTD62V00110301. Does the "JS" at the beginning of that number indicate it is the "JS" submodel?

[fordem]

The first three characters (JSA) are what is known as the WMI - World Manufacturer Identifier - they tell you where the car was made, in this case, Japan.

A lookup on that number gives me some information that does not match with what you've provided in your first post - specifically you say 4 CYL, which I'm interpreting as four cylinder - that vehicle should have had a 2.5 V6, engine number H25A-113744 - maybe you could confirm that.

Anyway - you have a vehicle built for the Africa market (E06) which is not unusual in the Caribbean, it was probably imported new by Stewarts.

The a/c compressor part number is 95200-70CH0, which was also used in the US Grand Vitara and should be available from SouthWest Suzuki Motors in Texas.

[Max]

I'd focus on ID'ing just the compressor.

They are well marked with model numbers. This is an example of the Seiko Seiki, one of only two compressor models used on our era Zukes to the best of my knowledge, the other being a Denso with the label on the opposite end (of the clutch).



The clutch ends are totally different as well, and are shown in the Service Manual. Do you have a copy?

[makangli]

No, I don't have the manual. I am actually quite ignorant on fixing cars. I never had to, always took it to competent people. Now, kind of on our own out here. Almost need to be part mechanic to get things done. How do I find that ID on the compressor, from the top or looking from underneath the car? I snapped photos of it best I could...I will try to attach it here, look familiar?

[Max]

You are going to have to crawl around under and next to the compressor w/lights, a cleaning rag and maybe a mirror to find the model number.

If you are not up for that, you'd be better off sourcing a competent A/C shop.

Even if you are able to locate a compressor number via other means, it would still behoove you to pull the numbers off the existing compressor. There is no telling what your odd pedigree vehicle has for a compressor for sure, or even if it has been changed / reconfigured since birth.

Here is the Service Manual link. See section 1B-2 (Vol 1) for detailed compressor info:

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?tg9p32aftguiiar

[fordem]

Max - he also had a question (in the first post) on the advisability of only replacing the compressor or replacing the entire system - you have more experience in this than I do, what's your take?