air conditioning compressor clutch gone bad - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

yatzr · 07-24-2005, 07:04 PM

my car: 95 pontiac grand prix se 3.1L

so my air conditioning decided to go out on me on one of the hottest weeks of the summer

After inspecting it (and getting an opinion from someone who knows what they're doing), we determined the clutch on the compressor has gone bad. It doesn't engage when I turn AC on. It also seems rather loose and rickety.

My question is, do I have to get a whole new compressor? If not, is it possible at all to install a new clutch on my own (without any tools only a mechanic would have)? Any other tips on this would be great as well. Also, is there any way that I can test to be 100% positive that this is what is wrong with it...I was gonna just let a mechanic check it, but I'd much prefer not to take it to a shop. Thanks

mazak · 07-25-2005, 07:03 PM

just a thought,but if the compressor,is not coming on its possible its low on freon. any howling or sqeiling when it quit working ?

solkanar112 · 07-25-2005, 08:43 PM

way to check: get a refil kit and try it... if it sucks the freon out of the bottle, the compressor is working. if not, it's probably the clutch or a sensor for the clutch and yes you'd need a new compressor unfortunately.

james t kirk · 07-28-2005, 11:42 AM

Clutches are rare to go.

But they can be replaced independently, you shouldn't need a new compresssor, but you should replace the bearing at the same time as you replace the clutch.

07-24-2005, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
yatzr Insane	air conditioning compressor clutch gone bad my car: 95 pontiac grand prix se 3.1L so my air conditioning decided to go out on me on one of the hottest weeks of the summer After inspecting it (and getting an opinion from someone who knows what they're doing), we determined the clutch on the compressor has gone bad. It doesn't engage when I turn AC on. It also seems rather loose and rickety. My question is, do I have to get a whole new compressor? If not, is it possible at all to install a new clutch on my own (without any tools only a mechanic would have)? Any other tips on this would be great as well. Also, is there any way that I can test to be 100% positive that this is what is wrong with it...I was gonna just let a mechanic check it, but I'd much prefer not to take it to a shop. Thanks __________________ Mechanical Engineers build weapons. Civil Engineers build targets.

07-25-2005, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
mazak Crazy Location: louisianna	just a thought,but if the compressor,is not coming on its possible its low on freon. any howling or sqeiling when it quit working ?

07-25-2005, 08:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
solkanar112 Addict	way to check: get a refil kit and try it... if it sucks the freon out of the bottle, the compressor is working. if not, it's probably the clutch or a sensor for the clutch and yes you'd need a new compressor unfortunately.

07-28-2005, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	Clutches are rare to go. But they can be replaced independently, you shouldn't need a new compresssor, but you should replace the bearing at the same time as you replace the clutch.