I have a 1997 Saturn SC2. Charging with liquid Freon can overload the system, dilute the circulating oil, and cause damage to the compressor. The clutch air gap should be 0.016-0.031 in (0.4 - 0.8 mm). I stopped the engine and i was able to turn it by hand, but it was difficult. Some refrigerant will escape, but as long as you get the new valve in quick enough, air will not get into the system. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. When the switch goes bad, it will no longer be able to measure pressure and will leave the clutch engaged the entire time. usually ac compressors work, or they dont. Now, turn on the air conditioning and look again. then, drive. Suspected Clutch Rotor Bearing Noise. This is a full explanation of how the system works. When the AC system is turned … A guage set certainly isn't necessary to recharge a system though. if it barely pssssttt out, then it's basically all drained from leaking - this is the most likely outcome. Not uncommon for an AC compressor to seize up like that. A leak in the hose will pull some oil out with it and show itself by very minor wet marks and debris sticking to the oil. Hello, my AC stop working just like that .... check under the hood and notice the AC pulley not spinning when the car is still running! If the clutch engages, then check the power supply to the clutch, including the system protection devices and electronic compressor controls. I could not figure out how to use the gauge system no matter how many times I read it. I had a set of gauges from Harbor Freight but the connectors were so poorly manufactured that they did not fit on all the R134 systems that I had. This is a video that is geared towards people with an AC compressor clutch that doesn't work. The lines are empty with no air or refrigerant in it. i wouldn't do this myself, i'd do Option 2 below, but some people just want quick and easy. I've done it countless timeson Subarus - it's way overhyped by folks that don't know what they'retalking about or HVAC people that only know one way of doing it and makemad loot off a public that's terrified of A/C systems. How To Manually Engage AC Compressor Clutch. It is good idea to have some hands on experience with handling your car’s minor faults. The engine would still be able to spin. Thanks again for all the great advice! how to manually engage ac compressor clutch. I tested this on my grand caravan and I can turn the clutch by hand. Is there an easy way to tell whether the A/C clutch failed, or the compressor? When the AC system is turned "off" the power to the AC clutch assembly is 11.5 volts. I'm trying to minimize cost sunk into this since I'm considering selling the car this winter. Find the switch and switch it to the off position. Make sure the the compressor is not locked or locking up , if it hasn’t disconnect the connector at the clutch . If the compressor clutch does not engage, turn off the engine. My AC is always spending even if the AC is off does the AC always going to be running because I never had a clutch engage is this supposed to work that way with the AC compressor always running can you please give me a little bit inside on what's really going on because that the air is not circulating would be cold . He can check for the dye, recover refrigerant, test pressures and otherwise diagnose the system. With engine off and cold, try hand turning the compressor hub for a start, should be less than 1 ft lb of torque, and should go 360* several turns with no binds. buy one of the "A/C kits' that have all the orings in it. I was wondering if that difference in feel could be used to help diagnose the A/C. Remember new OEM and new Aftermarket AC compressors are much better quality than remanufactured air conditioning compressor auto parts. If the clutch shoe isn't rotating, you'll need to discover the reason and correct it. Where-as one that is fully charged will have more resistance. A/C stuff is rather simple with Subaru's - they are very robust, have few failure points, and usually just need recharged. while the system is dead replace the orings where the hoses bolt to the compressor - those are the most common leakage points. It may just be internal corrosion if the compressor was not sealed at the ports. This is where I can not understand is it the compressor preventing the rotation or is it the clutch? If the compressor is removed from the engine, the belt-pulley should spin freely. You do not want to remove a schrader valve if the system is pressurized as you could be badly injured. The 18 oz bottle still has some in but I neglected to weigh it beforehand so it's hard to say how much material was used. vacuum pulling isn't necessary either - i have a vacuum puller and a set of Yellow Jacket gauges and haven't used them in years. When you do that, it should click. The only way I get it to turn off is when I turn the fan off or press the A/C button. The air conditioner system has a low pressure cut-off switch that shuts off electricity to compressor clutch, … A/C Magnetic Clutch is not engaging when A/C button pressed. I kinda regret buying my gauge set from Amazon - it did help me a little but, I'd have been better off just doing what is recommended in the Forum. Didn't seem like it was grinding or anything, just difficult to turn. The vacuum pump is for systems that are completely empty and air may have gotten in, or the system is opened up. Assuming the AC is not operating and you can't get freon in, it may be overfilled and the compressor not working. I looked at those $30 DIY recharge kits that connect to the low pressure side, but in reading reviews it sounds like the gauges are often wildly inaccurate. It's in the 90's in GA and that got real dang old real dang quickly. 3. May 11, 2009. Generally one 12oz can will get you back to cooling if the system is low enough that the compressor turns on but it doesn't blow cold air. How do you detrmined if the clutch or the compressor is bad? I read a lot about Subarus. Most independent shops will replace the entire compressor as most aftermarket parts suppliers do not make just clutch or coil replacement parts. Connect your negative, or black battery cable with the grounded contact in the compressor. What is the most common reason for an air conditioning compressor not to engage? I had someone sit inside and start it while I looked to see if any pulleys weren't turning and lo and behold the a/c compressor pulley was stuck. ***There is no need to pull a vacuum. The best remedy for this is getting your A/C serviced. If you don't have a gauge set, most parts stores will rent them to you. Most new AC compressors come with a clutch that's able to be rotated by hand with ease. Compressor clutch not engaging Car air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. If only the pulley is turning, but the clutch disc isn’t, there’s a problem somewhere in the system. outback_97, October 27, 2014 in 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX. Before replacing the expansion valve I would recommend you remove the compressor inlet line and turn the compressor by hand to see if you feel it sucking in the line you disconnected. The AC compressor exhibited no unusual symptoms that would explain the locked clutch, there was no bearing failure, no unusual noise, no smoke, no fire. Was this answer helpful? If you feel a good suction then replace the expansion valve, evacuate, and recharge. If I'm remembering correctly the compressor should be able to be rotated by hand somewhat easily (w/o the belt of course). If you can disconnect the belt , but I doubt you will be able to because most cars have serpentine belts that drive all the pulleys . The next time that happens see if you can turn the compressor by hand, if you can then perhaps this is the case. Answer. There is a pressure switch which detects that there is enough gas and if not the ac clutch won't engage. This switch is located on the metal canister next to the compressor. I … '03H6OBW,'06WRX. If an AC compressor could not turn on, this process could not begin. Turn off the power leading to your air conditioning unit. a) Remove drive belt. A common cause of the ac clutch not turning on is lack of refrigerant gas in the system. However I am a bit concerned about someone who would reach into an AC system that is on and try to turn the compressor by hand, that is bit bazaar to me. The compressor started turning after I added some of the refrigerant. I feel like if i can turn it by hand, its not seized. If it will not move then the compressor clutch has failed and likely the compressor is damaged too. That would be cheaper but you get what you pay for. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Sentra yourself? On a completely empty system, I started by adding about a half can of 134a. 4. One is for ground and one for the 12-volt power cable. Cannot find Magnetic Clutch Relay. The clutch on the compressor is what allows the pulley to … The fan works fine but it just blows ambient temp air. With all the automotive jargons we’ve discussed earlier, you might think that learning how to manually engage the AC compressor clutch is true rocket science. Option 1. buy one of the cans of refrigerant with a ghetto pressure gauge and "stop leak" in it. If resistance is not … See compressor id tag shown above for explanation. How long it will keep working is hard to say. 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