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

If the magnetic coil works, leave it and just replace the hub. Honestly, it’s not worth the time or hassle and I know how to remove/replace snap rings. It’s just the space is so tight, no matter what tool you have. Mine was shot, so my only choice was to replace it, or the whole compressor. I felt the compressor was beyond my skill and my wallet.

 

Oh and I bought my parts on eBay from Coldzone777, same as what’s in that link. Quality parts, good service and shipping. It should fit.

 

Not that i would spend 40 bucks on these, but do these look like the tool to use?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw2dR91e9MpgAUhmomdHPIli

 

Those do look like they'd work well, but you need external, not internal pliers. And it's still a crappy spot and takes some patience, lol.

 

Wait whats the difference?

 

Inny and Outty. On the left has to be squeezed in to be removed, On the right has to be expanded to be removed.

 

yes those snap rings(both) are external that means you spread the ring to get it off/on, not compress it. also those rings are chamfered/beveled type which act more like a wedge in the groove which may be one more reason why they are hard to get in/out along with limited work space. I read a thread where it took a guy 3 hours just to get those rings out that's even with having the compressor out of the truck. I would go as far as trying to get the pulley if I could but I wouldn't mess at all with the magnet it sounds almost insane to get that in/out safely. http://www.tcorolla.net/images/books/422/45/index212.gif

 

the ring on the left is a internal snap ring(that means you compress it to remove) and the right ring is an external ring(that means you spread the ring to remove) the difference is the little holes position on the ring where u insert the pliers if the little holes are within inside the ring its a internal(compress) if they are on the outside of the ring its (spread) to R and R them

 

how about these pliers they have a set screw on the handle where it looks like u can adjust the spreading of the ring without having to crimp with your hands, u said that the rings almost have to be at a certain spread in order to remove them and re install too, do think these would be better so u can fine tune the spread to conform with the limited area inside the shaft and then replace the ring with the same spread without hand crimping the pliers, that screw looks like a fine adjustment for spreading the rings without hand crimping. https://www.toolsource.com/images/prod_medium/116653.jpg

 

Happy to report the hub did the trick! Thank you guys for the support and great information. Old hub was in 2 pieces. Borrowed the clutch tool from autozone to help hold the new hub. Those clutch tools are adjustable so the job was easy but involved some contortions. I didnt even bother jacking the truck up. Turned AC on and off as well as defrosters multiple times with 0 problems! Thank you again and if your pully isnt seized and the magnetic clutch engages, try the hub first!!

 

Sweet!!!! Good job, man! Glad it worked out

 

awesome!! now you can flip the double bird to the garage that quoted you for a full compressor replacement/evac/refrig refill as opposed to a $50 DIY. LOL

 

Damn right! Dodged a bullet on this one! Also fixed a running toilet so i'm 2 for 2 this weekend!

 

Big Thanks for your post !
I had exactly the same problem and I followed your instructions!
The problem took me an hour to fix and 95$ Canadian $$$!
The dealer would not even try to tell me how much they would charge me to diagnose and fix the problem but it did not look good
Thanks again for this great forum !
Pierre

 

another issue when taking your car/truck in for an expert diagnosis they will usually throw a charge on the diagnosis if you backout of the full repair job, most often the diagnosis is a quick look then they say replace everything not just items that are not working.its definetly better to try at least a few things yourself at minimal cost before throwing in the towel for a major cost to fix. the replacement of just the AC clutch seems to be a winner for a lot of people when in fact the experts say replace all major AC components.

 

thanks for this. my 06 is creeping up on 500k (km) and the body is starting to rust around the windshield etc... The dealer quoted 4k to 'fix' the AC but I think this is the problem so I will throw 100 bucks at it and see! I have been looking at new and "newer" trucks and everything is so damn expensive, but every time I think about fixing something on this truck I think about having no AC... temps are up there this week and it sucks getting to work in a sweaty mess... so if this works I might keep the 'ol bucket around for at least another winter.... fingers crossed.

 

Have you kept your eye on the compressor while someone hit the ac button? What happened?

 

it starts to spin and will start making the squealing noise intermittently. usually the ac light starts to blink - today it stayed on but the air didn't get cold. I didn't leave it on too long through. I can see bits of rubber hanging off the front of the pully and I guess I know what that burning rubber smell was a few months ago now.

 

This is important.. while watching the pulley, does it never stop spinning, causing the serpentine to squeal? If not try replacing the clutch hub. 50 bucks on ebay

 

that's what I am going to do. part is on it's way if it works I am going to visit the service advisor at the dealership and drop that blob of rubber in his coffee.