A/C Compressor clutch appears to be stuck. Accessory belt squeals and smokes over stuck pulley. 1993 3.0

[Fairlaniac]

So where to start on fixing this? I don't have much if any experience in working on an A/C system. In 44 years of driving I've never had a failure. I bought my '93 beater last year. A/C didn't work. Tried to recharge. The compressor ran for a few minutes and froze up. I plan to drive it during crappy snowy days and will need the defroster to work well. Any ideas on where to start?

thanks!

 

[RobbieD]

The pulley should only be connected to the compressor when power and ground are are on the electrical coil in the pulley. If you unplug the 2-pin connecter from the clutch (eliminating any electrical problem), the pulley should freewheel, even if the compressor is locked up solid. If the pulley still doesn't freewheel, and the belt still smokes when the engine's running, you've got a locked up compressor AND a locked up pully clutch.

If the compressor did get pooched, you can:
A) Look at getting a shorter belt and eliminating the compressor (thus the AC completely); or
B) Replace the compressor, pulley and clutch, accumulator/drier, orifice tube (the bare minimum parts needed; if a hose has a muffler, replace it too), thoroughly flush everything else, recharge with refrigerant and oil, and pray.

Usually, with that kind of failure, on that old of a truck, ALL of the AC parts should be replaced. It depends, on what you want to spend on the truck, to get the AC back. Replacing just the minimum parts is always a gamble, unfortunately.

Another bummer in the equation, is that a '93 was originally an R-12 system, unless it was converted at some point.

Sorry, it doesn't sound like a cheap or simple fix.

 

[RobbieD]

WHOOPS! Forgot about the cheapest, easiest "fix"- just put a working pulley and clutch (even used) on the locked up compressor, and don't even plug the harness back in. Can drive the truck, but with a broken AC.

 

[cbxer55]

Take compressor off, put on shorter belt for non ac version.

 

[Fairlaniac]

The pulley should only be connected to the compressor when power and ground are are on the electrical coil in the pulley. If you unplug the 2-pin connecter from the clutch (eliminating any electrical problem), the pulley should freewheel, even if the compressor is locked up solid. If the pulley still doesn't freewheel, and the belt still smokes when the engine's running, you've got a locked up compressor AND a locked up pully clutch.

If the compressor did get pooched, you can:
A) Look at getting a shorter belt and eliminating the compressor (thus the AC completely); or
B) Replace the compressor, pulley and clutch, accumulator/drier, orifice tube (the bare minimum parts needed; if a hose has a muffler, replace it too), thoroughly flush everything else, recharge with refrigerant and oil, and pray.

Usually, with that kind of failure, on that old of a truck, ALL of the AC parts should be replaced. It depends, on what you want to spend on the truck, to get the AC back. Replacing just the minimum parts is always a gamble, unfortunately.

Another bummer in the equation, is that a '93 was originally an R-12 system, unless it was converted at some point.

Sorry, it doesn't sound like a cheap or simple fix.

While I most likely will remove the compressor and run a shorter belt. Let's look what I found out. With the electrical plug in the compressor and a/c turned on. The pulley locks and the belt is a squealing. Pull the plug, turn a/c on or off and the pulley turns. No squealing.

Thanks,