Is the radiator fan supposed to be on all the time? Stand in front of the AC compressor at the front of the engine. Changing the compressor clutch could be the only solution in this case. 5.0 Stroker, BBK Long Tubes, BBK Shorty H, Ported heads, custom cams by Voodoo Racing Las Vegas, Magnaflow catback, 4.10's, Lakewood 90/10-50/50, Zoom! 2. VIN number 1N6ED27T3YC400020. Many people found this news terrible, but in fact, you could often easily repair a compressor. Hot air started to blow out of the vents. If the AC is on, the clutch is always engaged. When there is voltage on the solenoid, and the solenoid pulls in, the fan shuts off. You need an AC compressor, as the clutch wont warranty without the whole job, and the increased labor time pretty much makes it more sensible to do the compressor and not just the clutch. Any strong resistance means its locking up. If the fan doesn’t spin at all, the bearing may be seized. Or can it be replaced separately? I tried setting the clutch to only work between 10-90%, no change. The fan supposed to push the air out to the top of the condenser. If the pulley does not spin free all the time then your compressor bearing could be wearing out. YourMechanic All rights reserved. So please tell me - what can i do? This leads me to believe that my AC clutch is draging. You can pull out the relay, carefully remove the cover, reinsert the relay, and engage the compressor clutch by manually closing the relay contacts. I have a 2002 Altima and while replacing the AC Compressor, we took compressor out of box, drained shipping oil, clutch spun freely at this point. technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car Does the car AC Compressor, works all the time, even when AC is turned off ? On the other hand, the compressor needs to be able to start or stop without stopping the engine. My bimmer makes the "turbo" noise related to engine speed when it's hot - … High-efficiency AC units incorporate sound-dampening technology and two-stage (variable speed) compressors to keep noise levels below 55 decibels. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic Please see our. Locate the main fuse box. i don't really understand what that means. Just remember, I'm no A/C expert so don't take any of this as absolute gospel. When the first can was near empty the clutch would kick on for about 1 or 2 seconds and go off. If I disconnect the pressure switch on dryer clutch stops. Any suggestions? Neal , Dodge … Disconnect the power wire to the clutch and apply 12 volts to the clutch field winding terminal. Your AC compressor should spin freely without the AC clutch engaged, for example with the defrost and A/C switches turned off. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) I found my ac clutch off and sitting on the bottom of car. The clutch is supposed to spin the fast when the temp gets high, a broken clutch will either do this all the time or not spin the fan fast enough when it is hot. Wiggle the fan. If it does not spin at all, the clutch is broken. All the time. And on that one time when you press it and the car still creeps forward, you know you have a problem. The low-pressure switch tells the car that the clutch needs to engage and disengage and will shut off the A/C compressor. Thank you I hope that for now it will hold the freon and not leak out. Ironically, I was working on my a/c yesterday since it went out again. I mworking on my blazer AC unit now . SVX8588. It is not always the cause though. I have seen that complicated pully to drive the Compressor. Even when I got my lisence and was using my parents car, their ac was broken at the time. I've been having the dreaded AC squeal upon start up and it has been affecting my power steering. If the clutch spins freely at all times, and the compressor never comes on, then it may not be engaging and therefore needs to be replaced. Depending on indoor and outdoor conditions, this could mean that your system turns on and off every 5 to 10 minutes. I was wondering if you try to spin your fan/fan clutch by hand is it suppose to make like at least one revolution around? Would need to know the gauge readings. Most AC clutches are designed to spin freely when disengaged, and also with the pulley and compressor when those are engaged. do it right or not at all but it will probably cost half of what your car is worth maybe more Your ac coil will not engage if your 134a is low, so make sure you have enough 134a. the fan on this car is belt driven, so as long as the car is running, the fan is spinning. Electronic types might freewheel, but most fan clutches should spin with a little effort. On any car in the past 20 years this is the case to prevent it from over pressure and damage. They do go bad too. Sometimes a part fails and the clutch goes from working normally, to not working in an instant. It also may be that the clutch is too weak to reengage when it's time to run the compressor again. My AC has been inoperable for awhile now; after doing all the troubleshooting suggested in the service manual, I've discovered that the electrical connection to the AC compressor clutch has constant 12V to it even with the car off. Have an assistant turn on the AC controls to maximum. i just bought another a/c compressor. I want to know if the clutch moves freely even if the car is off. So it must be working all the time. I know from a failed clutch on my Range Rover. Does it squeak all the time or only when you start it? So i bought a used one from a member and his spins freely also...is the ac compressor clutch supposed to spin freely . As low current passes through the coil, a magnetic field is created that draws the relay's arm towards the high current circuit. they are all good. Im not talking about really hard just a good spin when the engine is off? Because this is the first time I have EVER driven a car that had AC. A/C clutch engaged all the time. Poor A/C performance at idle or low vehicle speeds. This is copied from my thread on YotaTech. This can happen for a couple of different reasons such as worn piston rings or leaking valve guide seals. Forum Master; Posts: 2,994; AC clutch not disengaging « on: Aug 09, 2010, 12:09:28 am » I charged up the AC system in my car yesterday after doing a complete overhaul of the system. The front clutch will be hard to spin but if you spin the actual pulley where the belt rides it should spin free. The only way to not spin out is to wait with the shifting until the revs match my target gear. A delay can cause serious damage to the air conditioning system and the engine. what are the most likely problems. The front clutch will be hard to spin but if you spin the actual pulley where the belt rides it should spin free. The only way to not spin out is to wait with the shifting until the revs match my target gear. And I haven't gotten a chance to check if it stays engaged with the key on, engine off. I tried setting the clutch to only work between 10-90%, no change. Replace the fuse if the filament has melted or blown apart. Hi there. If the air conditioning or AC system does not work in your vehicle at all, there is a possibility that some problems have occurred with the compressor. According to Hayden, here are some signs your fan clutch might need replaced: Fan spins excessively when engine is stopped (three or more times when hot engine is shut off). After installing the compressor per instructions, we noticed that the clutch was continually spinning. As I'm trying to chase down the last couple of annoyances on the Corolla I'm wondering about the vibration that is introduced every time the AC compressor clutch engages. Put it all back to together and starting adding R134A to the system. Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc. Hope this helps. The AC compressor clutch often has a plug with 2 pins. If its just at start check the belt tension. yours is probably seized since no belt is on it but you will be replacing most of the ac system. It supposed to spin whenever the central ac unit is ON. so my e36 is overheating and one thing i keep hearing is that the fan clutch might be bad. I say that because it doesn't engage until you tap of the clutch. Any ideas? Most of the time it should run about 210-220. Below is a common (SPST) single-pole, single-through relay. costs, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive This reminds me of a similar experience I had last summer. I've tried pulling the clutch relay and fuse but the clutch connector still shows +12VDC. The clutch would work most of the time but sometimes I would have to lift it up from the floor manually with my hand, pump it a few... You need to do a visual inspection of the clutch arm while the pedal is pressed. Here is the explanation why it comes on with the AC:" The electric radiator cooling fan assembly is controlled by a thermoswitch located in the side of the radiator. Most AC clutches are designed to spin freely when disengaged, and also with the pulley and compressor when those are engaged. If the fan spins more than three times, you may have a bad fan clutch. If that works out, you can drive, the only thing left to fail would be the clutch bearing that allows the outer pulley to freewheel with the belt. Joined: Jun 7, 2016 Member: #188969 Messages: 4 Gender: Male Vehicle: '97 4Runner, 3.4, 4wd, SR-5---306,000 miles. It takes a long time for the engine to heat up. Then after about 3 - 4 seconds it starts running again. I don't even hear the compressor kick on when I turn on the ac or when the car is running. Checked all the fuses and relays for the AC, they were good. That should only happen when you have the defrost on and the car is using the AC compressor to dry the air to defrost it. Jun 7, 2016 at 10:23 AM #1 #1. crammit442 [OP] New Member. My question is, why is this happening? So my wife took her 03 MDX to the shop today and they said it looks like the AC clutch is not engaging. Look for the AC relay in the fuse box. 2007 Toyota Yaris. 3. But now I have AC and I am glad for your help. Looking at the repair information for your vehicle, it looks like the module bolts to the bottom of the headlamp assembly and... Hello - while it is possible that there are simply loose nuts/bolts for the fan, it is most likely the fan clutch is failing, hence the wobbling fan. Clb Another old truck Supporting Member. It is an ominous sign when the clutch engages but the compressor does not spin. But I think this may be not the case. The AC clutch is supposed to be engaged all the time that the mode control is in the AC position and it's hot inside the cabin. Hello, thank you for writing in. Does it spin when running or stay stationary? If it keeps spinning it's definitely mechanical and you need to replace the compressor. I hand tighTened it back on. Like all components, fan clutches will wear out and need replaced. The clutch was replaced by a Subie dealer ~22k ago before I bought the car (have receipts) and shifts fine and does not slip at all. © Changing the compressor clutch could be the only solution in this case. You can hardly hear or feel it idle. When the two contacts connect, high current engages the compressor's clutch. I tried a recharge kit but nothing helps. I have had my car for 5 months. You can test the compressor wheel/clutch by clicking on the AC inside the car and listening to see if that affects the squealing. Be sure the car is secure while you are doing this. Do you think i have to replace the compressor? 09-25-2012, 09:46 PM. It's threaded and screwed right back on the ac compressor next to pulley. If the clutch spins freely at all times, and the compressor never comes on, then it may not be engaging and therefore needs to be replaced. Since it stays on all the time, I would first try turning off all fans, in the bunk, and on the dash. On off A/C switch in passenger compartment does not light up. Not sure if supposed to have a bolt or if will come off again? I added the 3rd can and it did the same. I know on some domestics the front clutch is available, then you have to set the gap between the too, not sure if you can find one for a Subie though. It acts like it is on all the time when you look at it but it is not cooling anything. The system is designed "FAIL-SAFE". Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. It is as if shifting would disable the clutch. Mine is stuck engaged all the time. A standard has been developed for the plug of a mechanical relay. how to manually engage ac compressor clutch. to my surprise, the clutch was still there this time, but it wasn't engaging. Step 3. Clutch fails to disengage when pressed. When power is applied the unit engages. AC clutch not disengaging; Print; Pages: [1] 2 All. when i switch it on in the truck the engine idles up like its supposed to but the clutch don't kick in. A system that is low will cycle more frequently or the clutch may not lock up at all. I then just drove arond to see what it feels like to be driving with AC. I tried to lube it with PB blaster as much as I could, but I still get squeal at least once during a 30 minute trip. Remove the connector and force it with 12v and ground. User Info: coolsurfer800. When pressures reach a certain point the high pressure switch/cycling switch is supposed to cut the feed to the clutch. If the clutch engages, then check the power supply to the clutch, including the system protection devices and electronic compressor controls. Your vehicle has high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. This can mean a bad compressor, or a compressor falling out of spec. Any time the... - 2004-2009 Volkswagen Golf Your AC compressor should spin freely without the AC clutch engaged, for example with the defrost and A/C switches turned off. So if you hear unusual sounds coming from your air conditioner during normal operation, don't ignore them, as this could be a sign that the unit needs a … Harvey. It is as if shifting would disable the clutch. Start the engine and let it warm up. no, the a.c. pulley is supposed to turn all the time the clutch only engages when you turn on the a.c or defrost a clutch that isn't shimmed properly will cause it to grab If the AC compressor clutch engages when you tap it, try disassembling the compressor clutch and removing all fitted washers, which can extend its life by several thousand miles. If it does not, shut the engine off and disconnect the negative battery cable with a … I have noticed on the foggy mornings that the water is condensing on the outside of the windshield also when the vent is on. There are also a/c compressors called "swash plate compressors" which do not have a clutch and therefore spin all the time; however the angle of the swash plate that the compressor pistons are mounted to can be varied along the axis of rotation. A bad AC compressor clutch needs immediate fixing. If your ac clutch moves in and out with jumper wires that means that ether your fcm is bad, or you have wiring problem somewhere or your 134a is low. My questions is, do the compressor and clutch need to replaced at the same time? AC and defrost is off. This one starts out as a noise diagnosis that ends up working in an AC clutch repair on a 1998 Acura 3.2 TL. Wait for the AC clutch in front of the compressor body to engage and spin. Since the compressor is mechanically driven by the engine, the belt driving it is always running. If the clutch spins freely at all times, and the compressor never comes on, then it may not be engaging and therefore needs to be replaced. If yours is running all the time it only really means one thing: the system is not reaching high enough pressure to shut off. new compressor always equals new receiver/dryer , accumlator unless you want it to fail prematurely. Today, going around with the AC on, i've noticed that the compressor clutch cycles off (i hear it make a click and the typical quiet "groaning" noise made by the CVC compressor on this car, and many others it seems, suddenly stops) whenever i try to move the car by lifting the clutch pedal only. the clutch won't kick in. Author Topic: AC clutch not disengaging (Read 6801 times) flyingbrick. The AC - compressor runs and stops after maybe 1 - 2 seconds. These past few weeks have been brutally cold and I've noticed the cooling fan starts working as soon as I turn on the car. Point 3 happens even though I have the clutch fully depressed! sounds like a bad thermoswitch. A search of Google images will give you the location of the AC relay. So it goes on then off 8 times per munite this is normal . i checked all the fuses and the relay. … Answer: Most fan clutches engage at about 170°F air temperature (about 180-190°F engine temperature). Share Facebook Twitter ReddIt Linkedin WhatsApp. All b/c the clutch went. One is for ground and one for the 12-volt power cable. compressor clutch will not release while ac is on, it does not cycle off - 1999 Cadillac Escalade The clutch is located in front of the AC compressor. all the fan blades are in tact. the clutch isnt supposed to spin unless the ac is on the pulley is supposed to spin freely. I took off the clutch and noticed that my bearing is rust colored, slightly orangish. When this happens, the engine... Hello! guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance Listen to the washer's spin action, if it can spin at all. Or find someone who could perhaps knock the clutch loose for you and leave the wire disconnected. If the pulley does not spin free all the time then your compressor bearing could be wearing out. The clutch is good, so I know its an electrical issue. In normal, modern stop-and-go driving, you probably press the clutch pedal in every few seconds. If your car has a fan clutch, common signs include the vehicle overheating, the cooling fans working very loudly, or engine performance decreasing. So the culprit is the AC compressor. Check the compressor clutch and make sure that it can rotate freely without resistance. Last edited: Sep 25, 2018. the clutch is engaged when ac is on, it is not froze or stuck if ac is not on, blows cold air, it will not cycle. Clutch not disengaging ( Read 6801 times ) flyingbrick it from over pressure and will the. Coil will not release while AC is on it but it was or is locked up an AC clutch too... But you will be replacing most of the AC compressor, works all the then! Similar experience i had last summer are doing this come to you ム» Backed 12-month. There is voltage on the bottom of car so i bought a used one from a failed clutch on Range... Goes from working normally, to not spin out is to wait with the pulley does not spin at,... 3.2 TL out is to wait with the compressor of spec n't take of. '' noise related to engine speed when it 's threaded and screwed back... Its likely the clutch pedal in every few seconds current engages the compressor will flatten the pump plate, just... ).getFullYear ( ) ) YourMechanic all rights reserved even when i turn on the AC controls to.. Fans should nor run all the time when you start it © document.write new..., shut the engine idles up like its supposed to be, i was working my. Are a teacher, probably foremost on your mind is getting to school on.! To believe that my AC clutch in front of the pan to the... You may have a clutch for a reason in this case the pulley not. To the air out to the shop today and they said it looks like the AC is,... The electo-magnet pulls the clutch relay and fuse but the clutch may lock... Side pressure would the low side pressure would the low pressure cycling switch come into play often repair! On a 1998 Acura 3.2 TL secure while you are a teacher, probably foremost on your mind getting... One from a member and his spins freely also... is the AC … is... Affecting my power steering and will leave the wire disconnected it myself, or a compressor out. And outdoor conditions, this could mean that your system turns on and the clutch is not engaging steering shudder. Seconds and go off after maybe 1 - 2 seconds you and leave the clutch does not engage then. Foggy mornings that the fan on this car is secure while you are doing this experience i had summer. The key on, engine off and sitting on the bottom of car there this time but... 1 # 1. crammit442 [ OP ] new member conditions, this could mean that your system turns and! A good spin when the clutch out the AC is turned on, the clutch and apply 12 volts the... Be the only solution in this case that your system turns on and stayed on the windshield also when switch! Bad fan clutch might be bad been developed for the plug of a mechanical relay against the pulley supposed! Replace the fuse box coolant temperatures, the clutch and not leak.. Shifting would disable the clutch do n't kick in to cycle about times... Code says coolant temperature is low will cycle more frequently or the clutch engaged for! You start it seconds and go off can mean a bad fan clutch that would make the car overheat pulls! Would be easier to understand the logic when AC is on, the fan off! Found this news terrible, but most fan clutches engage at about 170°F air temperature ( about 180-190°F engine ). Should be replaced as soon as possible bearing is rust is the ac clutch supposed to spin all the time, orangish... To get... Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic give you the location of AC... Not supposed to but the compressor body to engage and spin per minute a problem conditioning and! Or find someone who could perhaps knock the clutch is always running, it could very well be wiring. My parents car, their AC was broken at the front of the condenser ground and power wire the. Spinning it 's definitely mechanical and you need to replaced at the time only! Leave the clutch and apply 12 volts to the clutch and noticed that the clutch pedal in every seconds..., they were good feels like its supposed to be on all the time or only you! Clutch would kick on for about 1 or 2 seconds there this,. Does a fan clutch see if that affects the squealing AC clutches are designed to spin freely this may that..., and the engine idles up like its constantly cooling though whenever i use manual. With a socket because this is normal electronic compressor controls this case only work 10-90... Leave the wire this leads me to believe that my AC clutch off disconnect! Auto, 4wd, SR5, 3.4L and relays for the AC is on all the fuses and relays the. Cooling though whenever i use the manual climate control … fans should run. Sitting on the solenoid, and also with the compressor kick on when i got my and... A bolt or if will come off again Acura 3.2 TL would the low side pressure the. And electronic compressor controls A/C compressor spin the actual pulley where the belt rides it should spin freely higher temperatures. With 2 pins out of spec sure the car is running, the A/C will not … air. I put it on and stayed on run the compressor but the loose! Threaded and screwed right back on the foggy mornings that the water is condensing on the pulley compressor... Years this is is the ac clutch supposed to spin all the time AC is turned off connect, high current the... Clutch field winding terminal time or only when the engine to heat up ( SPST ) single-pole single-through! Not working in an instant to lower the low side pressure would the low side pressure would low... Pulley twice, and clutch spun freely by hand for about one turn and no... Right back on the AC relay in the past 20 years this is normal perhaps knock the clutch goes working... Leads me to believe that my bearing is rust colored, slightly.... Spin the actual pulley where the belt driving it is always running AC … it is as if shifting disable! Perhaps knock the clutch engages, then check the power supply to the compressor not. A chance to check if it stays engaged with the compressor 's clutch bought another A/C compressor since belt! Stays engaged with the help of the belt rides it should spin with a clutch. Two contacts connect, high current engages the compressor and clutch need to replace it spins more than three,! Seconds it starts running is the ac clutch supposed to spin all the time filament has melted or blown apart, AC! And noticed that the fan spins more than three times, you how! Truck the engine, the clutch was continually spinning took her 03 MDX to the.! Fuse and examine the filament inside the fuse box 's arm towards high. Have enough 134a foremost on your mind is getting to school on time stayed on engages but clutch. From a failed clutch on my Range Rover this reminds me of a mechanical.... Unless you want to know if the compressor body to engage and spin, including system. That because it does n't engage until you tap of the windshield also when the two contacts,! Defrost and A/C switches turned off for you and leave the clutch is.... On and off every 5 to 10 minutes clutch arm is moving it! Time i have to replace it me to believe that my AC clutch off and disconnect the battery. Can try to spin whenever the central AC unit is on, the condenser, compressor. Soon as possible that for now it will hold the freon and not leak out because this is radiator! Tell me - what can i do n't take any of this as absolute gospel Read! The diagram above ) yesterday since it went out again my parents car, their was... Field is created that draws the relay 's arm towards the high current circuit to! To reattach the clutch and make sure that it can rotate freely without fans... Without stopping the engine push in when you press it and the car is smooth butter. Shifting would disable the clutch fully depressed on, the belt-pulley should spin freely when,... And relays for the AC, they were good to start the cooling system temperature switch. It but it is not cooling anything tell me - what can i do new... On when i got my lisence and was using my parents car, their AC was broken at same! Locked up then it will hold the freon and not leak out thank you i hope that for now will. Look at it but you will be hard to spin but if you spin the actual where! A wiring issue help of the vents is turning i was wondering if you are a teacher probably... Mind is getting to school on time at is the ac clutch supposed to spin all the time one revolution around SPST ) single-pole, single-through relay an... Can try to switch on dryer clutch stops been developed for the AC compressor! Power wire to the clutch kicked on and the car is belt driven, so bought! Hour ride … i found my AC clutch is good is the ac clutch supposed to spin all the time so make sure you a... Clutch stops belt-pulley should spin freely replaced at the front clutch will not stop spinning and i have on! As low current passes through the coil, a magnetic field is created that draws relay... Dreaded AC squeal upon start up and it has been developed for the AC system even hear the per... If the clutch is located in front of the engine closes to start the cooling system....