How does an AC clutch engage?
The clutch oil starts to energize when it is being powered. A magnetic field is created and it draws the clutch in so that it engages the shaft of the compressor. If the clutch fails to engage, the A/C compressor of your car will not be able to pump refrigerant in the way it is designed to.
What controls the compressor clutch?
Looking at the graph the compressor clutch has a unique relay, it has a compressor control relay that operates in a variety of ways depending upon the application. From the two fuses, one is controlling the coil in the relay (using a 10 amp fuse) that feeds from the relay.
How do I check my AC compressor clutch?
Start the engine and turn the AC controls on maximum. Have your assistant hold a jumper wire on the positive battery terminal while you touch the wire to the “hot” wire inside the wire connector (on the clutch side). If the clutch fails to engage, it means the clutch has an internal short.
Should AC clutch engage when AC is off?
The clutch is controlled by the A/C button, not by the blower switch. You can do whatever you want with the blower switch and it will NOT affect how the AC compressor clutch engages. HOWEVER – even if the A/C button is OFF, the clutch can engage, as long as the DEF switch is on.
Why is my AC clutch not engaging?
Why AC clutch won’t engage If the clutch doesn’t engage, the problem could be a blown fuse, an open in the wire to the clutch coil, a bad clutch coil, a poor ground, a low pressure switch lockout, or even a bad engine coolant temperature switch.
Can you lubricate AC clutch?
Do not lubricate the clutch. If it’s dragging when disengaged, then the air gap needs to be adjusted, or your pulley bearing could be going bad, or some other mechanical fault. But the clutch needs friction to operate the compressor, and if you lubricate it, it will slip and cause heat which will cook the bearing.
Where does the power from the compressor clutch go?
In older non-computerized vehicles power flows from a fuse to the AC switch. When turned on, power flows through the switch and then to a low and high pressure switch before flowing to the compressor clutch coil. See the wiring diagram below.
How does an AC compressor work on a car?
A belt drive attached to the engine spins constantly, providing energy for the AC compressor. The belt turns a rotor, which has a friction plate attached to it. Near the rotor is an electromagnet–a coil of wire which produces a magnetic field when current is run through it.
What happens to the AC when the clutch is de energized?
Thus the AC of the car starts working. Now, consider the reverse situation. If the clutch is de-energized it will automatically disengage the compressor drive and the compressor belt pulley. As a consequence, the AC compressor will stop working.
How does an AC compressor drive belt work?
The AC compressor drive belt rotates the compressor pulley at all times when the engine is running. But the pulley will not rotate the AC compressor shaft unless the compressor clutch has engaged. How does an AC compressor clutch work?