Hit ac button, immediate squealing

Yeah this happened as i was leaving work today. 90 in central jersey and truck was like 120. Not fun. Going to have shop look at it but i think ill buy that ebay clutch and see what happens

 

Depending on how far you want to dive in since you said you are taking it to a shop - to test the compressor loosen the drive belt and use an 8mm socket on the bolt in the middle of the pulley and try to rotate it clockwise with a ratchet and see if it'll spin. The clutch there is no real good way to test other than looking for rubber bits that have come loose/melted. My money would be on the clutch being bad.

 

Thank you! I ordered that clutch hub from ebay, going to swap it saturday and sunday - fingers crossed!

 

Keep us up. Hope the clutch change solves it for you

 

OP. If the A/C pully is turning when the engine is at idle. Then you push the button and the clutch engages the compressor and the belt is trying to turn a locked up compressor. It will do no good to replace the clutch. You will need to replace the compressor and the condessor and vacuum out the system and recharge. It is a real good idea to run your A/C system every once in awhile just to keep the compressor lubricated. I just replaced the compressor and condensor on my truck it was not a bad job. Send me a PM if you have questions.

 

OK, what happened when this first began is when the AC was turned on, there was a terrible screeching, then AC button would blink after a few seconds. I tried this a few times to see if cool air would come out - it never did. Now it doesn't screech anymore. When I watch the compressor, after pressing the AC button the center spins for a few seconds then stops. AC light. The pulley the serpentine belt goes over never stops spinning. I am guessing the screeching was the rubber in the clutch being destroyed?

 

What was happening is the belt was sliding on the locked up compressor.

 

I guess that would indicate the compressor being shot? Did the squealing stop because the compressor internals blew apart or something?

 

There is oil in the A/C system to keep the compressor lubricated while it is turning. When the A/C system is not used for periods of time this cuts down on the compressor being lubricated, and sometimes will lead to compressor failure. When the compressor fails small metal fragments will enter the system and then will need to be removed. your hoses will need to be blown out or replaced. But most of it will collect in the condenser/dryer. I had to replace my Compressor and condenser my belt was fine. You will need a new belt also.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtua13dTdE

 

I just went out and verified now.. Started truck up - pulley on compressor is spinning fine. Hit AC button, squealing returned, pulley is still spinning. Center part of the assembly (the smallest metal ring) was spinning slowly by the time i ran to the front while the larger metal ring was spinning fast. Pulley never seized up at any time - this squealing was NOT coming from the serpentine belt itself.

 

Thank you - would a bad relay cause the squealing?

 

I wouldn't think so, here is a way to check the relay with a volt/ohm meter post #2 http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...54-ac-mgn-relay-ac-clutch-relay-how-test.html

 

Your A/C clutch is working to hard trying to turn your compressor is my guess.

 

Fwiw, i was able to get under the truck today and was able to get a socket on the bolt and turn it without a problem. There is oozing rubber in front of the clutch hub.

 

Same problem happened to me. A/c compressor seized up. Dont try and run the A/C or youll end up busting through the belt and wont be able to go anywhere

 

I can turn the whole thing when i put a ratchet on the bolt and the pulley has never seized..

 

Replace that pulley.

 

The pulley free spins when the A/C is not engaged, but as soon as you turn the A/C knob the clutch engages in the pulley but since it has seized it won't spin. Same problem happened to me last spring, first day it was 90 outside and i go to get in my truck and it screeches until i turn A/C off. Turned off truck and restarted it, then tried turning on A/C and did the same thing, light on the A/C blinked too just as yours did. The more you try and run it the more metal and stuff with break off on the inside and run through the system, and the more you will have to replace

 

The pulley never seizes. Ive watched it while the ac button is pushed.. the clutch hub starts spinning, then stops after a few seconds. The center ring of the clutch hub slows down first. Pulley never slows down or stops