Yesterday I was help my dad with 97 grand caravan with 136,000 miles on. HE told me the ac wasn't had just quit. So I though I would try to add r134a to the system see if would start working. IT didn't I got the clutch to engaage,but after that I would smell belt smoke. THen when you would turn off the smoke went away. So I told just if he really wanted the ac to that it would have to be taken in. Also told that as long as he does not engage ac it should be fine. Well he did engage ac anyway. Said that their was puff smoke and then he could see the ac compresser moving,but still no cold air.. Then he called me about it. I told that I thought something wrong with ac clucth and or compresser on it. I called dodge dealer they basically agreed with me. My question is the car safe to drive as long you don't engage ac? My thought is that if their is something cause the clutch not spin it could eventally lock up the entire clutch spin even when disaged. Then did tell aleast for now it was probley safe to drive.

Yea i'd say it'* fine, if the a/c isn't engaged then the clutch won't all of a sudden "grab". If you want to be 100% sure go underneath and unplug the a/c clutch wire. Then there'* no change of engagement.

I might do that. How does it engage? Is magnet engage

i believe it'* centrifugal