AC Clutch Failure - How to fix! (blinking light, squealing)

@ducati this thread should help you out.

 

That's what I'm thinking. AC compressor will be here mid week. I'm going to recharge. If the leak persists, my brother has a dye kit I can use.

 

Put the dye in when you install the compressor. If there is still a leak you are a step ahead. If not no harm done.

 

Oh no.....I think I am in trouble....
Was doing my repair today......went perfectly until snap....the bolt holding the clutch hub snapped while tightening to 10 lbs....
Not sure if torque wrench was off, or bad bolt.
Any ideas...

 

Ordered a new clutch off ebay and installed last night. Thanks OP, saved me from replacing the compressor..for now.

Install was easy, I removed the lower belly pan to get access and didn't have to touch the fan shroud. The old clutch was tattered and the rubber bushing completely destroyed. I ended up knocking out the old spacers and using those. Stoked to have a/c back just in time for summer.

Link to the ebay listing for the clutch: https://www.ebay.com/itm/163282852950

 

Am I the only one having reoccurring problems with this thing? Mine went out again this week. This will be the third time now I’ve had to replace it.

 

Just finished the job and it went smoothly. Took 1 1/2 hours, which is longer than I anticipated but probably normal since I’m a novice mechanic and kept running back inside for another tool. Used vice grips for the removal and an oil filter wrench for the install. The gap on the removed hub was .040 and only used 2 spacer washers. Installed new one to match that and A/C is back, baby! The only thing I didn’t really anticipate was the 8mm socket. The only one I had was 1/4” drive, which worked out fine because a 1/4” socket wrench fit in the space much better than the 3/8” one did. Very happy to have saved serious $$$. Thanks to the OP for sharing.

 

My clutch switch crapped out again. Just replaced it in 2017. What is a good P/N to use for searching best piece. Thanks

 

What is a clutch switch? The AC button on the dash or something else?

 

Better than what happened to my 2010; Evaporator code leaked and it cost almost $1,600 to replace!

 

Sorry meant to say clutch hub assembly. The magnetic part.

 

Which is the tensioner pulley to remove the belt?

 

Got it thanks

 

Glad to see this thread is still running, not glad I have to reference it though lol. I have the loud squealing noise then light blinking when I hit the AC button. I am hoping just the clutch. I will try to identify that as the issue after work today. All of the links to parts in this thread are expired, does anyone have a beat on source/link for a replacement clutch?

And just to make sure I understand correctly - If I see bits of melted rubber, most likely clutch. And if I can wiggle/spin the inner ring then the parts are separated and so clutch again? If the clutch appears to be in one piece is there a way to diagnose the compressor or other component being the issue?

 

So I pulled the front half (can’t see to find my snap ring pliers) of the clutch off and found the two pieces separated and bits of rolled up rubber as previously described by others in this thread. Compressor shaft spins smoothly. So seems like clutch replacement is well worth a shot. Anyone have a line on a good source for a replacement?

Also I saw 3 shims fall when I “carefully” removed it but only found 2. Does anyone know the correct gapping? Since I not longer can pull a measurement from mine. Thanks!

 

Back again lol... Can anyone confirm for me that this is the correct item?

$18 labwork AC Compressor Clutch Hub Replacement for Toyota Tacoma 4 Cyl 6 Cyl 2.7L 4.0L 2005-2016

https://www.amazon.com/labwork-Comp...h+assembly+2006+tacoma&qid=1595503457&sr=8-11

 

Well that seemed to be the fix. Thanks to those who contributed good info in this thread! Can't beat a $60 repair for something at a shop that would turn into a new AC compressor assembly.

 

Thanks for this thread. Replaced mine today. This is the second time.

 

Over the past few months, I've heard a whining noise from under my hood whenever I would run my AC. Well, driving home from work the other day the AC light started blinking and the warm air started coming out of my vents.

A few people posted about swapping the AC relay. I tried that, no go. I also read something that a bad battery could kick off your AC because it's more concerned with powering your essentials. So, I had my battery tested at AutoZone. It was bad. I replaced my battery, but still had no AC and the blinking light.

I poked around on the web a bit and came across this thread. I examined the AC clutch and compressor from the driver side wheel well and could visually see black gunk/rubber sticking out from the clutch. I ordered a clutch replacement kit and serpentine belt from Amazon. The kit included a new clutch cap and assembly, magnet, snap rings, bolts and spacers.

I first disconnected the battery, unbolted the skid plate, and removed the fan and adjusted the fan shroud to create more work space, it's tight in there. I then removed the serpentine belt. From underneath, I took off the AC clutch cap (be careful not to lose the spacers on the inside of the cap), and then removed the snap ring and the pulley. Once you remove the pulley, STOP and inspect the magnet (this is where I made the mistake of not stopping). If the magnet and its connections aren't damaged, DO NOT remove the magnet. I repeat DO NOT remove the magnet. I proceeded to remove the snap ring holding the magnet in place and the magnet. I then slid the new magnet on and proceeded to spend the next 3 hours trying to reinstall the snap ring from hell. Once the snap ring was finally installed, I slid on the pulley, the clutch and the snap ring. I then reinstalled the AC clutch cap (with the spacers on the inside of the cap) and torqued it down to 8 ft. lbs. I then installed the new serpentine belt, put the shroud back in place and bolted the fan back on.

Turned on the truck, flipped the AC over and wah lah! Ice cold AC and no blinking light. I can't thank N75 and the everyone else who has contributed to this thread enough. Other than the snap ring from hell, this was an easy fix that

 

Good job welcome to TW.