guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Hey guys,

Last summer my AC wasn't working and coincidentally I had a loud knocking noise coming from the engine bay.
The knocking noise turned out to be caused by the AC pulley as the bearing has gone bad, causing it to wobble and knock around.
AC wouldn't work because the clutch was not engaging.

Pulled off my AC pulley, and the coil and turns out the coil was burnt/kinda melted which explains why AC didn't work.

Replaced both the pulley and the coil off of a used OEM compressor I got off eBay - everything worked great for the remainder of the summer.

Now just last week when it gets hot out again I try to turn on AC and yet again the clutch is not engaging!

Before I pull everything apart again, does anyone have any suggestions why it keeps not engaging?
The pulley seems to be straight and true so far.

This makes me wonder - last year, was it the bad pulley that created excessive heat/friction that burnt the coil which caused the clutch to not engage, OR did my pulley go bad last year because the coil was burning and creating excessive heat which ruined the pulley bearing?
Again I'd like to state the fact that I don't hear my new pulley knocking or going bad, YET.

Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks!

thoiboi

have you checked the relay by chance?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I have limited experience but I ended up just going with a new compressor entirely and that solved my problem.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Thanks guys !

I'll have to check the relay, should have checked it first!
Just thought of checking the coil pins too to see if it's getting power doh!

I guess that way I'd know for sure if it's my coil gone bad. If the coil goes bad that means there is another underlying problem because this coil was new last year

Worse case is to buy another used compressor and swap it out! Fun

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Was it new new or used new?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

It was used new - but it looked darn new, zero rust or anything and it's from Canada too!

Hard to believe it would fail by itself and not by other causes which worries me a bit!

I just did some digging online and someone said that a "sticking AC relay" could cause the coil to overheat
Working on the AC compressor isn't a huge job but the snap rings are the biggest pain in the ass to remove and install.
It was one of those repairs that left your body aching but you were glad you saved money doing it yourself and think you'd never have to revisit it again

Now I have to face the dilemma of leaving the windows up and suffocating in the heat, or rolling the windows down and get my face and arm burnt crisp.

Joecop67

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

It's 86 F out today, I'm dying without AC.

I swapped the relay with another one that uses the same relay (I think condenser relay?) and that didn't do anything.
I'm trying to listen for a click from the relay when I toggle AC on and off but I still don't hear anything.

I'll have to try jumping the pins next.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Jumped pins 1 & 2 in the fuse box where the relay is supposed to be and the AC clutch actuates!
So glad to hear I don't have to tear all that down.

This leads me to think the clutch isn't actuating due to either 2 things: the relay is bad (I'll try to test the relay itself to confirm before spending $30 on a new one) or I have a leak in the system somewhere so the pressure sensors aren't allowing the circuit to complete (which could be a total nightmare itself)

Seeing as how swapping the relay with another one didn't work, I'm worried it's because I have a leak.

Time for more digging!

peter6

Time to connect the gauges and check if there is anything in the system.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

If only manifold gauges were something readily available in my garage.
I'll have to call around tomorrow to get a quote on the job, only after I confirm it's not the relay of course.

peter6

You can buy them cheap. There are also kits with vacuum pump on Amazon for around $100.

It's cheaper than having shop to do that, and you can keep the gauge.