AC compresser help

Hey guys, so recently my ac stopped working and has developed this weird noise and what looks like the front of the ac compressors pulley engaging and disengaging. It has a harsh noise that is loud enough to be heard inside the truck. Has anyone had this problem before? Not sure if i need a new ac compressor or just tighten some bolts. Ill update as this continues. Here's a video

 

It doesn't sound good. Looking at your video it looks like the clutch is not fully engaging and the starts to freewheel. If no one has touched anything in your a/c system and this is the first problem that occurred, I think your compressor or clutch is bad- my best guess? If people have charged the a/c recently and overcharged the system it Might possibly cause a symptom similar to this and I stress MIGHT! Your serpentine belt drives the pulley for the compressor. When you put on the a/c, there is voltage that travels through a low pressure cutout switch that magnetizes the clutch coil which in turn engages the a/c clutch. If the clutch plate is bad it can grind like this POSSIBLY. If the system is overcharged, the compressor will turn on and a high pressure cutout switch will turn the compressor off and POSSIBLY make a noise similar to your noise. A little more history about what may have been done could help out a lot. In my area of the northeast, most suppliers do not sell just clutches anymore if that is what you need. They sell the whole compressor and clutch assembly. Just be careful when working with a/c freon because it can cause injury if not handled properly and always wear safety glasses and gloves.

 

Looks like the clutch never fully disengages to me.

 

When the compressor clutch is engaged, it is lock on and the clutch outer disc spins as fast as the pulley. When the compressor cycles off because of pressure switches as normal or is turned off by the dash switch, the front clutch disc does not turn at all unless there is a problem either mechanically or electrically. Any more info on if any work has benn done to the a/c system or is this the first issue?

 

Well I just recently got the truck about 3 months ago and this problem started occurring. If it helps, this noise doesn't happen when i turn on the ac, it just happens all the time whether I turn on the air or not. It also just does it on its own when it wants, so one minute it doesn't do it then all of a sudden you can hear it. I'll see if i can get someone to look at it here soon

 

If the clutch plate is engaging with the a/c off I would think that you might have a bad bearing in the pulley. It might have some play in it and it might be starting to lock up occasionally making the noise you are hearing. One way to check this is to remove the belt. Try spinning the pulley by hand. You should not hear any noise or feel any hard spot while turning just the pulley. It should feel smooth while spinning it. If this is more than you are capable of doing then bring to a professional repair shop. Good luck.

 

I'll be able to get around to it tomorrow and see whats happening here. If it does seem to be the bearing, will i have to replace the whole ac compressor or just the bearing?

 

If it is the pulley bearing then you can change just the pulley which has the bearing integrated into it. You must first remove the clutch disc first. This is usually held on to the compressor shaft with a bolt in the front center. If you remove the disc be careful because there may be shim washers in the rear of it. They must be reinstalled or the air gap will be wrong.

 

I forgot to mention that after the belt is removed, spin just the clutch front disc by hand. It should turn somewhat smoothly with a little tension on it. It should not bind difficultly or lock up on you. If it does then the compressor is bad. If the compressor seems good then once the front disc is removed there usually is a snap ring that holds the pulley onto the front housing of the compressor. Once the pulley is removed you will now see the clutch magnetic coil. If it looks burnt or melted in any way, replace the whole clutch and pulley assembly. you can probably buy a clutch disc, pulley and coil kit either new or sometimes remanufactured or in separate pieces at a good parts store. They probably will have to order it in for you so plan accordingly for transportation. If the parts cannot be purchased separately then you will have to purchase a compressor and clutch as a whole unit.

 

When you switch to turn on the a/c does air always come out or some times??

 

I believe that clutch Is spring loaded and then when you push the A/C button it magnetically engages the clutch in. Maybe one of the springs is broke inside the clutch.

 

My clutch went bad, I'm not able to find a new clutch kit for the factory compressor at any of the part stores though.

 

After looking into it a little deeper, the inner steel ring has separated from the rubber on the front Ac clutch hub.

Is there Anywhere that I can find the A/C clutch without having to buy the whole compressor?

 

NVmind

You are correct there isn't much out there.

 

Maybe there is hope. I found this http://m.ebay.com/itm/181735059098?_mwBanner=1

 

There is no reason it should randomly engage and disengage by itself unless it’s low on refrigerant. If your defrost is on so is the compressor, from your clip it acts like its low on refrigerant. If it’s a high side issue it would run a lot longer. The low pressure switch shuts off the compressor to protect it. The system at rest will equalize pressure high and low side, the compressor comes on because the pressure is high enough but as soon and the low side pressure side pressure drops the clutch disengages then the pressure rises once again and it comes back on. If it comes on the heat mode (no defrost) there is something up with the AC control. You can bypass the low pressure switch this is to test the compressor only and left in bypass it will trash the compressor but if it stays on then for sure it’s low on refrigerant. The bearing on the driven side of the clutch is inside of the compressor the bearing on the belt side is inside of the pulley it will make noise all the time the engine is running if it’s bad the clutch side only when the clutch is engaged.

 

I'm wondering how you diagnosed the clutch, how could you tell the inner ring separated?