The air conditioning is not working at all in my 2001 SSEi. I checked the ac fuse, looked ok. I did not check the compressor relays.

I sense the compressor may have failed as I never hear the clutch kick on.

Is replacing the Air Compressor and Drier doable by a back yard mechanic? I am most concerned about the flushing of the system.

(Droidx)

Start car turn ac on and check for 12v at compressor clutch. If no voltage found, find 3 wire connector on ac line and use paper clip to jump 2 of the pins. If one way doesnt work, jump the other way and check again at ac clutch. If you get voltage when jumping, either you have a bad pressure switch or your low on freon.

Thanks, it was low on freon.

(Droidx)

Atta boy!

Dont mean to jump on this post. My situation is basically this. The clutch was grinding, and I did not have time adjust it (saw Dan'* write on the adjustment, just could not find the time). A bearing on the compressor went bad, and now the pulley/clutch are seized. Im stuck at home (one car), but I am about to replace the compressor. Any thoughts on how I can empty the system at home. I recall reading that Advance loans out the tools for this draining and vacuum after replacement.... Comments, questions, condemnations are all welcome.

It takes special equipment to collect the freon per EPA laws. Thing is, its never reused. Most DIY people just push on the schrader valve and let it empty into the atmosphere. (which is illegal).
Once you remove the compressor, empty whatever oil you can into a measuring cup and set aside. Take new compressor and new PAG oil and put it into the compressor. Say you poured 1 ounce of oil from the old one, you replace that same amount with new oil into the new compressor.

Once you get the compressor in. I highly suggest you use the proper vacuum pump and a set of gauges. Draw the vacuum down, and leave the gauges connected overnight. Check the gauge in the morning. If the pressure stayed the same, you should be ok to put in the freon.

Yes, for future reference, please start your own thread.

May I recommend a read through my recent thread on changing the A/C compressor on my 99 Buick Park Ave. https://www.gmforum.com/buick-172/99-park-ave-leaking-c-compressor-302962/

I did a lot of research on some A/C Forums and came to the determination to use the OEM brand (Delphi) compressor.

Be sure to replace the accumulator and orfice tube for warranty coverage on the compressor and optimal system performance.

Flushing the system if your compressor was seized up is critical. The condensers on these cars are parallel flow and very difficult flush, not something the backyard mechanic is capable of. I would recommend an in line filter if you find lots of metal shavings in your orfice tube screen. In my case the compressor was not seized so I didn't dwell on the flushing process as much.

Auto-zone claims to carry the flush gun, vacuum pump and gauges, but I had a family friend who evacuated (vacuumed out) the system and charged it for me.