What is clutch air conditioner?
Your A/C compressor clutch is one of the most important parts of a vehicle’s air conditioning system. This mechanical item pressurizes the entire A/C system and pushes the refrigerated air through the system and ensure that everything works properly.
How does an aircon clutch work?
The type of clutch in a vehicle’s air conditioner is electromagnetic. The air conditioner clutch is engaged when electrical current flows through a magnetic coil. When the current is stopped, the clutch will disengage and the air conditioner will be shut off.
Where does the air conditioner clutch come from?
Air Conditioning Compressor. The air conditioner clutch is a component within the compressor, the main element in your vehicle’s air conditioning system.
What happens if you have a bad air conditioner clutch?
If the compressor clutch gets damaged, it will keep the air conditioning system permanently on or off. A faulty compressor clutch can be replaced but it is generally recommended to replace the whole compressor to save time and additional cost. How to Diagnose if the Car AC Compressor Has Failed?
Why do you need an AC compressor clutch?
The compressor is pretty much the heart of your entire system and the reason why the system is able to provide your car with the cool air that it needs in the summertime. But what people don’t always realize is that your car’s AC compressor wouldn’t be able to do its job without an AC compressor clutch.
What should I do if my air conditioner clutch is spinning?
The clutch allows the compressor pulley to engage or disengage from the motor, ensuring it is only running when it should. If the clutch seizes, normal action cannot continue. Look at the front of the compressor while the air conditioning is running to see if the clutch is spinning.
What happens when an air conditioning clutch fails?
When there’s a problem with the compressor clutch, your air conditioner won’t blow cool air for long. A damaged, failing, or worn compressor can’t correctly control the flow of refrigerant in the A/C system to deliver the cool air you desire.
How do you know if your AC clutch is bad?
Listen for any internal buzzing or clicking from the clutch. If the clutch fails to engage and spin, but you hear electrical buzzing or clicks inside, it indicates an internal clutch short. Listen for excessive bearing noise coming from the clutch or compressor.
What would cause an air conditioner clutch to melt?
The middle/hub section of the A/C clutch should turn smoothly. If not, the compressor was locking up, the engaged clutch would get hot and the rubber in the hub would melt. The rubber is between the compressor shaft and the outer hub ring, and acts just like a harmonic balancer/dampener on an engine.
Why does my AC clutch not engage?
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, or a low pressure lockout. AC compressor clutches receive power in a number of ways.