A/C Clutch not engaging. Easy to change?
 

Hey all.

So today it's about 95 out, all is fine when I turn the car off. Next time I start, no cold air coming out of the vents with the A/C on. The problem was sudden.

I searched the forum here to begin the troubleshooting process. I checked the fuses, air box, etc. Those are fine. When I turn the A/C on there is no familiar click, and the clutch is not turning on the compressor.

Is this easy to change. If not, any idea on the cost at the shop? Thanks

I just had a buddy change out his A/C compressor. I know if your willing to change it out yourself, you should be able to chnge the clutch. If i remember right. or you can just buy a used one on car-parts. They have them on there for a reasonable price. I know it cost my buddy about 700 bucks for a complete swap out from old to new.

Before you jump into anything too major, you may want to see if this is because your refrigerant is low. The A/C clutch will not engage unless there is a pre-determined minimum pressure within the system. This is to protect your compressor. There is also special equipment required. The remaining refrigerant must be reclaimed and not vented to the atmosphere.

This may be a relatively easy repair without tearing too far into things. Start simple, then go from there.

Edit:
Changed 'old refrigerant' to "remaining refrigerant". Wrong choice of words...

:stupid: I agree with Darcy that the most likely cause is low refrigerant. If you are going to add it yourself, get some that also contains leak detector dye so that you can find out if/where it is leaking.

Thanks a million all, I will try adding the refrigerant today. I will also get the leak detector type.

NAPA or Autozone should be able to check the pressure for me too so hopefully that is the only problem.

Mucho Gracias all.

Which valve is the low side, to recharge the system. My a/c currently puts out heat.....hotter than .....my normal heat. So i bought a can of stop leak and booster, but I dont know for sure which line to put in in.

They high side and low side have different sized valves. Which ever one actually fits...will be the right one. I haven't looked lately but when i added refrigerant it was right next to the underhood fuse panel.