While hooking my camper up yesterday afternoon I left the engine running while I jumped out to wind down the coupler on the hitch when suddenly there came strange sounds from under the hood, followed by a high pitched screech from my wife screeching "somethings burning!" There was some smoke coming from under the hood so I shut 'er down and investigated. I found the air conditioning compressor clutch area smoking away... I started the truck again and the noise returned, and when I looked, the compressor was barely turning. I turned off the hvac and the clutch disengaged, and the noise and smoke stopped... When I turned the hvac on again the clutch kicked in and now the compressor turned normally... I shut the truck off thinking it was a one time deal, but when I started it again it did it again. So I unplugged the clutch and headed home... Now i'm wondering if this is a clutch or compressor problem. The parts guys tell me I can only buy the complete assembly... How much fun are they to change? It doesn't look like there's much to it but wanted to ask to make sure. Of course i'd get the refrigerant evacuated before undoing any lines...

 

If you look on e-bay under compressors and rebuild kits you'll find several. You CAN just change the clutch and magnet setup or you can just buy a complete unit. I had to change mine out when it did the same thing, but I lost the bearings in the pulley and of course it turned the electro-magnet into a birds nest of copper wiring that was ripped apart and torched and stinking.
I got a nice unit...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_1639wt_986

and for about $148.00 total I was finished and it took me 20 minutes to change it out. Then I had to pump down the system before recharging with freon. If you have the same EPA laws up there like we have in Communist Kalifornia then buying freon online and doing it yourself will be much cheaper in the long run. Down here they charge something like $12/can plus $10/can 'core charge', (Really??!!! core charge for a tin can?)
I paid about $38/6 cans of 134a from an auto parts store in Florida and was done in a few days.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-New-12oz-C...item4854eec80e

 

Thanks cdennyb, Before I found your reply I found one at a wrecker for a decent price and they guarantee it for 90 days... I'll stick it in and see if it works, if not I'll go the new one on ebay route....
Cheers

 

My vote would be go new. Don't go cheap on the AC or you'll be doing it again real soon.

 

the new cans of 134a are refillable. that`s why they want`em back and you get your core $ back.

 

Well I ended up with an unserviceable compressor from the wrecker. They did take it back without any fuss... I have a nice new one here now and am about to put it in...

 

Got the new one installed, it didn't take long at all! Thanks guys for the help and tips!

Hey mods, just noticed my signature aint showing up at the bottom even though I've set my thing to show signature...........