Rep Power: 0

My wife and I purchased an 02 Civic Si. We had a new ac compressor installed and about 6 months later it started throwing sparks when the ac would get turned on. Not sure what to do. The guy that did the install at our local shop said to bring it in and he will try and get a new one under warranty but ended up telling us it's gonna run another 500 bucks on top of the 1200 we already gave him for the first ac compressor, belts, IACV, and the installation of a catalytic converter I purchased elsewhere. So I was (I believe) rightfully appaled by this and asked if I can just get the new compressor under warranty and I'd do the work myself because I'd like to think I'm fairly above average with mechanical experience and knowledge. He responded with "No that's not possible, if your claiming the warranty the work must be done by the same shop that did the original install". So my question('s) would be 1. what could the sparks from an unused (installed in winter so was not used) ac compressor be caused by? 2. Is the part about the warranty/work needing to be claimed and done by original shop a stick it to the middle class working man scam, or is that legit? The part was purchased through NAPA. Thanks from LSDreamersSi in Las Vegas.

 
Rep Power: 125

He’s sort of right about the warranty claim. If they’re associated with Napa Autopro, the warranty has to be performed by a Napa Autopro.

As for the sparking issue, it sounds like the compressor might be seizing. Napa does a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty (I’d double-check that but it sounds right) so I’m not sure what the issue would be unless he did something that would void it. It certainly sounds like you’re still in the window as far as time is concerned.

 
Rep Power: 210

I agree with Chezboat concerning the warranty/mechanic.

Where exactly on the compressor are the sparks emitting from?
Any smoke or smell of electrical smoke? Are the sparks caused by metal on metal rubbing (seizing) or electrical (compressor internals, sensors, wiring harness)?