First time running the AC this year on the way home from work... it's 90 degrees outside.

When I turned the AC on, I got no cold air... I let it stay in the AC mode for a few minutes and I started getting smoke from under the hood. (it smelled electrical)

Looks like the clutch bit it.

Is that something common?

I'm assuming I have to replace the entire compressor... is that something I can do with the refill kits from a local autoparts store? Or do I need to take it into the dealer or someplace else for a charge?

Can I do the compressor replacement myself without violating any laws? (freon escaping or whatever?)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-J

 

According to the manual the AC clutch coil can be replaced without disconnecting the compressor. The compressor needs to be unbolted from the engine without disconnecting the hoses. The manual lists some special pullers and a spanner wrench to get the clutch off but it may be something you can juryrig.

 

You can do a compressor yourself. All parts are readily available at a parts place, including kits to recharge and oil for the compressor.

Local laws vary, but worst case scenario you can pay someone to evac the system for you.

 

JVANICK,
Did you get it fixed. My compressor is squeeking and I have new bearings for it. I was wondering how hard it was to get the clutch/pulley off? Let me know how you did it. Its getting hot here, in between the rains.

 

nope.. haven't fixed it yet...

it looks like I'm going to need to replace the entire compressor/clutch as a unit...

unless somebody knows where I can get just the clutch.. I haven't been able to find it yet.

-J

 

You can get a serpentine belt for non a/c trucks that bypasses the a/c clutch so you can keep driving til you get it fixed.

 

The only place I could find the clutch was Chrysler, @$160. Make sure to have your VIN when you call, apparently they used a couple different compressors, and they sort it by VIN. I found it easier to remove the comp to do the R&R, but I was replacing leaking lines also. Before you do all that, I'd look at the wire harness near the compressor. Common to have a broken/shorted wire in that area. HTH

 

Before looking for a new clutch try turning the compressor by hand, if it won't move it's seized and that's why the clutch burned.

 

Well, I ordered a whole new compressor today... I'd rather replace one part and know that it's going to work.

anybody know how to get all the old oil/lubricant out of the lines? Or do I just not worry about that when I refill the system?

-J

 

Exactly what I was going to recommend.

 

Before you just change the compressor you need to know if the old one seized. If it did it could have chewed itself up and you will need to flush the system and replace the drier. If you just change it the new one will not last plus the drier is probably plugged and the system will not charge.

As for the oil question a factory compressor is supposed to come with the 6.2 oz of oil a whole NEW system needs. If the old compressor is NOT seized then you just need to drain the oil from the old compressor and measure it. This is the total amount of oil you need to add to the entire system. So now drain the new compressor and retain the oil, add only the amount previously measured back into the new compressor.

 

I agree with Busboy. You need to to flush the lines, install new orifice tube, and drier, accumulator. I think this is called Black Death in the A/C business, when the compressor implodes and spews debris into the system.

 

how much 134a am I going to need to refill the system?

-J

 

THere is usually a sticker under the hood that says how many pounds or Kg or some unit of measure.

 

To elaborate further it's the sticker with the serpentine belt routing and I believe it tells you 2lbs, but I could be mistaken.