Another AC question

Recently my 2014 made the dreaded AC clutch squeal. The pulley had clearly separated, so I replaced with the one of the cheap ones on Amazon (it's hard to find good quality stand alone AC clutches, so I went with what was readily available).

The AC worked for about a week and is now blowing the #7 (10A) fuse. Not every time the AC is used, but sometimes after 5 minutes and other times after an hour. Does this sound like a compressor failure or has anyone had a similar problem after using one of the cheapo clutches?

Thanks for any insight.

Bryan
2014 SR5 with 170K miles

 

Any wiring damage by the compressor..wires rubbing the clutch pulley?

 

Check that the wiring going to the compressor clutch isn't rubbing out on anything but it sounds like the clutch coil may be shorted.

 

Thanks guys on the "technically correct" diagnosis. Turns out the wires were shorting, but only because I must have failed to seat the inner circlip. The coil rotated pulling the wires from the clutch and it destroyed itself. For what its worth, the replacement hubs don't seat as nicely on that tiny little knob on the AC housing as the OEM unit. I thought for sure it was firmly seated and clipped.

 

Just wanted to add some final notes to possibly assist with future searches.
1. The cheap Amazon AC clutches vary in quality (duh). The first one I used had the correct positive plug, but the plug was smaller on the second one. Verify before installing it so you don't have to splice wires in a tight spot.
2. Verify fit of the circlips that come with the kit before installing the clutch. The Amazon ones were a bit too large and didn't hold the magnet securely. I re-used the original ones. Check and re-check that you have the magnet circlip securely installed. My first replacement came loose and the clutch destroyed itself.
3. Verify the washer/shims. I "thought" I only had 2, but I did drop the pressure plate (or whatever the outer bit is called), so I couldn't be sure of the quantity. Watch the clutch after you re-start the car to see if it is squeaking or rotating at all. Any rotation means that its making contact (and getting super hot - aka melting the rubber inner ring) and you need to add shims. I added 2 of the skinny shims from the kit to my existing 2 skinny shims and all is good. The clutch clears the magnet, still engages correctly and doesn't get hot from contact when freewheeling with the AC off.