Why is my AC clutch not working properly?
Although the belt driven pulley is spinning you can see that the front of the compressor unit is not turning with the engine. That front plate connects to the compressor driveshaft and should be engaged against the pulley in order to operate the compressor. Here we’ll discuss some of the common causes of a car AC clutch not operating properly.
What’s the problem with the clutch on a compressor?
The problem is with the air gap between the compressor clutch and the pulley. The clutch is worn to the point where the air gap is so great that the electro-magnet can’t overcome the air gap to pull the clutch in to engage it. The clutch can be replaced on the compressor while in the vehicle so no refrigerant is lost.
How is the compressor clutch relay turned on and off?
In some vehicles the compressor clutch relay is turned on and off by the low pressure switch and the evaporator temperature sensor. In a computer controlled system, the compressor clutch relay is grounded by the computer. If the fuse is good, disconnect the electrical connector from the compressor clutch coil.
How does the air conditioner clutch work in a car?
The middle section is the pulley that is driven by the engine drive belt. The innermost component is a powerful electromagnet that pulls the clutch against the spinning pulley. The click sound that you hear when you request air conditioning is the electromagnet energizing and instantly pulling the clutch against the pulley.
Why does my AC compressor 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.
What happens when the clutch on the Air Conditioner breaks?
However, it’s much more common for the clutch to break and make it impossible to turn on the air instead. Without the clutch, the compressor doesn’t receive any power from the engine, so you are left without air conditioning. When the compressor clutch breaks, the bearing inside the compressor can become damaged as well.
Can a bad fan clutch cause an AC to not work?
The guy calls back and says the fan clutch for the radiator is bad. He can run a hose on the radiator and the air is cold but the truck doesn’t over heat. Does that sound right to anyone? Why wouldn’t the engine over heat if the fan wont spin, and why would this problem cause the ac not to work?
What does it mean when your clutch is not turning?
Both the pulley and the clutch should be spinning. That means the clutch has properly engaged with the pulley. If only the pulley is turning, but the clutch disc isn’t, there’s a problem somewhere in the system.
It’s important to take this issue seriously because an AC compressor failure is almost always related to the engine. Common reasons why the AC clutch doesn’t engage. There are many reasons why an AC clutch does not engage. It could be because of a blown fuse, a bad clutch coil, or an open on the wire to the clutch coil.
How is the clutch connected to the AC unit?
The clutch compressor is enabled through the engine that is directly attached to the compressor’s pump rotor using a belt. However, most car AC systems now use an electromagnetic clutch piece that engages the compressor to spin the air conditioning unit.
What to do if your clutch wont engage?
If you seen a flourescent green as you’re describing. That’s your leak. You could test the low pressure switch to see if that’s the culprit. Should have power to one side. You could use a paperclip to touch the 2 terminals to see if the clutch will engage.
How can I tell if my AC clutch is engaged?
Check the front of the compressor clutch. If the pulley and the clutch are both spinning it shows that the clutch is engaged with the pulley correctly. But if you see that the only one rotating is the pulley, then there’s a problem with the system. What is the AC clutch and how does it work?
Why is there no activation of a / C CLUTCH?
There was no activation of a/c clutch. Chevy Mechanic: Dan, ASE Certified Technician replied 10 years ago Remove the relay for the AC. There should be two power terminals, and one terminal going to the compressor and the other one going to pin 1 of that clear connector on that circuit.
What should I do if my GMC AC clutch does not engage?
Disconnect the clear connector from the Vehicle Control Module (VCM). Connect a fused jumper wire between cavity 1(dark green wire with a white stripe) of VCM clear connector and ground. Turn the Ignition Switch to the Run position. Listen for an audible click from the A/C Compressor Clutch. Does the clutch click? If so:
In some vehicles the compressor clutch relay is turned on and off by the low pressure switch and the evaporator temperature sensor. In a computer controlled system, the compressor clutch relay is grounded by the computer. If the fuse is good, disconnect the electrical connector from the compressor clutch coil.