Air Conditioning Unit Going Bad Help! Options

[Michelle95celica]

Ok, for the last week there has been a metal-scraping like noise (that has been getting louder) coming from under my hood. I took it to a local parts store to get the alternator tested since whenever I push on the brake at night, the headlights dim for a second. Alternator was bad..OK. I got a new alternator, and got it on. Headlights don't dim anymore BUT the noise is still there (although it's a little quieter now). I have narrowed down the noise to the pulley area of the Air Conditioner unit/clutch assembly next to the exhaust manifold (I have a 2.2 5SFE also...), the pulley seems to be a little loose and is making the grinding metallic sound. I am thinking the bearings in the a/c unit are going out, has this happened to anyone here and is it a relatively easy fix to get it out and a new one in??

So far, I have called all of my local parts stores, and have came up with this info:

There is a Type 1, Type 2, and a Type 3 air conditioner unit w/cluth or w/o clutch assembly, and the prices range from (remanufatured) about $288 (w/o clutch) to over $750 (new, w/ clutch). Type 1 is normally cheaper, and type 3 is by far the highest, whether or not it is reman. or new.

My question is, how in the world do I find out whether my Celica has a Type 1, 2, or 3 air conditioning unit? There is a badge on it with some letters, the refrigerant type, and that it is a Denso part. It doesn't say what type it is.

Does anyone here have any leads as to how I can find out the type? I know that I need to replace the condenser and tube as well, that's a given. Otherwise they will dirty up my new unit, and will shorten its life, LOL.

So, anyone who can, please Help!! Thanks!!

This post has been edited by Michelle95celica: Jun 23, 2007 - 1:47 PM