AC Compressor locking up on an '04?

When I run my AC it seems the compressor is intermittently seizing. Not sure if anyone has experienced this and what parts need to be replaced. Hoping it's just the pulley, I'd like to avoid replacing the whole shibang.

 

That... sounds off. Compressors don't intermittently seize unless there's water in the system, and if there is, it's causing damage and getting it out is a band-aid at best. If the compressor intermittently stops, the clutch or drive belt sounds like a much more plausible culprit.

 

Maybe I described it poorly. While it's running it's like something catches for a split second, then it returns to running normally for about 15 seconds until it happens again.

 

Take the belt off and check the tensioner pulley.

 

Seems like a good place to start, thanks

 

Not trying to sound condescending but do you know what it sounds like during normal compressor operation when the magnetic clutch engages? Because from your description it sounds like normal operational sounds that you would expect from a compressor that uses a clutch. Does it cool okay or are you just concerned about the sound?

 

Yea when I'm idling it squeaks pretty significantly, and when I'm moving it occasionally grabs and you can feel it pull on the drivetrain...so something is definitely off.

 

The AC blows cold, but I rarely ever use it so the fact it doesn't get exercised very often might have something to do with the issue.

 

Sounds like maybe the ac clutch is engaging and disengaging, which is normal.

 

There are a couple of possibilites. If the air gap between the 2 parts of the magnetic clucth are too great is makes a slight grinding sound and maybe even a "zing" as it enagages/disengages and if the 2 surfaces are not relativley smooth it makes a sound. There should be a click/clunk as the clutch energizes and grabs the compressor and starts to turn it.

 

Wow, what's it like to not have to use your A/C in june.

 

Lovely at 8500ft

 

One thing you might check is the level of refrigerant. If I remember right it’ll cycle on and off more if it’s low.

 

The squeaking noise is probably the idle pulley, I just replaced mine that was squeaking. Try and wiggle the idle pulley by hand, if it has play inward and outward then its bad. Maybe your pulley is super worn out making the clutch engagement seem more chaotic. Have you watched the ac pulley while the ac and engine are running? The pulley is always spinning but the compressor is not, you will see the compressor clutch engage and start to spin behind the pulley. This happens every 15 seconds or so like you describe.

 

I haven't had a chance or the motivation to work on it yet, but all the info provided by everyone who's replied should be very helpful...thanks!