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a/c compressor clutch wont engage

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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 11:58 AM
  #1  
FormulaW66's Avatar
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From: Santa Cruz, CA USA
a/c compressor clutch wont engage

hi everyone

my a/c compressor clutch wont engage. i checked all the fueses and relays and they are all good. checked to make sure the wires are connected on the compressor and thats good.

it worked great one day and the next day i turned the a/c on and no cold air.

do i have to get a new one or does someone know any cool tricks like hit it with a hammer or something

thanks for any helps

i have t-tops so that helps me stay cool but i need help quick its getting hot here in florida!!!!
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 12:13 PM
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turn it all on and hold a large metal object (like a prybar) up to the clutch. do you feel a magnetic pull? if you do then wack the clutch and see if it engauges. if it don;t you need a compressor. if it does you need a compressor but it will still work sometimes. if you have no magnetic pull then it's not getting power. if thats the case go to the compressor clutch relay with the key on. test for hot on 2 of the termonals (pink wires) you should the start the car and run the ac. you should then have a ground signal on the dark green/white wire that goes away when you turn the AC off. you will be lacking one of the 2. either the hots or the ground. lemme know which one
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:15 PM
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Do it the easy way. Don't bang it with a hammer

With your car running, Turn on your A/C. Now jump the pressure sensor switch with a paper clip (The pigtail side).

If your compressor engages, then you're just low on refrigerant.

Take it to a shop, they will recover, Vacuum and recharge. And add pag-100 oil with dye if needed.
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:47 PM
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FormulaW66's Avatar
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thanks for the quick replys!!!!

ill try the paper clip thing and if that dont work ill wack it with the hammer

ZPaul2Fresh8 - are u talking about jump it in the underhood fuse/relay box? if not, where exactly should i jam the paper clip? thanks!
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 02:05 PM
  #5  
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honestly. don;t worry about the switch unltiil you find out what your missing at the relay. if your lacking the ground when you trun the AC on then you can try jumping the red and gey wires of teh 3 wire switch but if your low on freon that can burn up the compressor. and if there is a problem with the fans it can do the same thing. if your lacking the ground then you need to find out how much pressure you have. you could have hit somethig and lost all your fron and not know it
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 02:06 PM
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the switch is on the A/C line underhood. Just unplug it and jump it with a paperclip from one pin to the other. Oh, don't worry about "ruining" your compressor it will only kick on for as long as you jump it. Its better than banging on it. Fa sho'
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 03:25 PM
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he has one 3 wire pressure switch with a grey, black and red wire. he needs to make sure that he only jumps the grey and red wire or he will short it. doing AC work without knowing what pressures you have can be self defeating. aleast press the low side valve and see if there is any freon in it what so ever
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 03:33 PM
  #8  
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Originally posted by HBHRacing
he has one 3 wire pressure switch with a grey, black and red wire. he needs to make sure that he only jumps the grey and red wire or he will short it. doing AC work without knowing what pressures you have can be self defeating. aleast press the low side valve and see if there is any freon in it what so ever
I didn't know is car had 3 wires on the pressure sensor!? I can't comment on that one.

Typical passenger car A/C systems take an average of 24 oz., you could lose as little as half of your refrigerant and the compressor will stop. So chances are he's still got some 134 left. So just because there's some freon coming out of the valve doesn't mean it's not low.

Of course we all can't have a RobinAIR machine in our garage
My guess, if you haven't recharged your A/C recently, then most likely you will just need to do that. But if you have recharged it lately, you'll probly have a leak. Take it to the techinican who charged it and have it check for a leak.

But like I said, most likely its just in need of charging.

Last edited by ZPaul2Fresh8; Jun 29, 2004 at 03:38 PM.
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 05:28 PM
  #9  
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Originally posted by ZPaul2Fresh8
the switch is on the A/C line underhood. Just unplug it and jump it with a paperclip from one pin to the other. Oh, don't worry about "ruining" your compressor it will only kick on for as long as you jump it. Its better than banging on it. Fa sho'
mine is doing the same thing, my ac stopped working for a month refilled it and then it started working, now 2-3weeks later it has stopped, like 2 days ago...i did the magnetic thing but it isnt as strong as it is againt the alternator, but i do have a magnetic force on the ac compresssor, but my clutch isnt spining...where do i stick this paper clip? on the passenger side by the alternator which is around the coolant and heater core lines? or where?
please help...
thanks
randy
Old Jun 29, 2004 | 11:39 PM
  #10  
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Originally posted by crAzy95z28
mine is doing the same thing, my ac stopped working for a month refilled it and then it started working, now 2-3weeks later it has stopped, like 2 days ago...i did the magnetic thing but it isnt as strong as it is againt the alternator, but i do have a magnetic force on the ac compresssor, but my clutch isnt spining...where do i stick this paper clip? on the passenger side by the alternator which is around the coolant and heater core lines? or where?
please help...
thanks
randy

You have a leak that you need to have repaired. take it to a shop for a leak check and have them find it. front seals on the compressor is a likely leak
Old Jun 30, 2004 | 12:51 AM
  #11  
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cost?$$$$
Old Jun 30, 2004 | 09:30 AM
  #12  
HBHRacing's Avatar
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From: Statesville NC
most shops charge about 30 bucks for an AC check plus the cost of teh freon to fill it. they will fill it up. find the leak and let you know what it is
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