When the car AC doesn’t work as it should, you could be dealing with several issues. However, it’s essential not to overlook the possibility that you have a bad AC compressor clutch.
With so many moving parts of the compressor, it can be difficult to determine which one went bad, but it’s possible to narrow down the clutch. Let’s take a quick look at the most common signs to look out for.
5 Bad AC Compressor Clutch Symptoms
The most common symptom of a bad AC compressor clutch is a non-functioning air condition system in your car. You will notice that the air vents are only blowing warm air.
The main symptoms of a bad or failing AC compressor clutch include:
- Higher Cabin Temperatures
- Loud Noises
- Clutch Stopped Moving
- Inability to Turn Air On or Off
- Leaking Refrigerant
As you can see, there are quite many ways to tell it’s bad, so let’s go a little bit more into detail. Here is a more detailed list of the most common symptoms of a bad ac compressor clutch.
Higher Cabin Temperatures
The most common sign of all bad ac compressor clutch symptoms is a higher cabin temperature than usually during hot days when you need the A/C.
Anytime the cabin temperature rises unexpectedly, you can often look at a defective compressor. A damaged clutch causes the compressor to malfunction, as it becomes unable to regulate the refrigerant flow.
Of course, the higher cabin temperature could also be related to a lack of refrigerant, so it’s important to properly diagnose the system.
Loud Noises
If you turn the AC on and hear a loud noise, it could be a b is failing. Just like the engine, the compressor contains several moving parts.
If the clutch or other moving part starts to fail or seize, noises are a common complaint. However, a worn-out or leaking bearing can also create a high-pitched squealing sound. On the other hand, a seized bearing is going to create a grinding noise.
Because it is so difficult to determine what part inside the compressor has gone bad, it’s often best to replace the entire compressor than attempt a repair.
Clutch Stopped Moving
The clutch allows the compressor pulley to engage or disengage from the motor, ensuring it is only running when it should. If the clutch seizes, normal action cannot continue.
Look at the front of the compressor while the air conditioning is running to see if the clutch is spinning.
Inability to Turn Air On or Off
With the clutch broken, the compressor could remain activated, making it impossible to turn off the air conditioning. This isn’t good for the other AC components and could lead to bigger problems.
However, it’s much more common for the clutch to break and make it impossible to turn on the air instead. Without the clutch, the compressor doesn’t receive any power from the engine, so you are left without air conditioning.
Leaking Refrigerant
When the compressor clutch breaks, the bearing inside the compressor can become damaged as well. While it’s not common to see fluid leaking through the front seal because of a failed AC compressor clutch, it’s not unheard of.
Look at the compressor to see if there are any signs liquid is leaking out through the front seal.
AC Compressor Clutch Location
The AC compressor clutch is found in front of the compressor. When you turn the air conditioning on, the clutch engages and spins during normal operation.
To find the AC compressor, look at the front of the engine where the other belt-driven accessories are found.
The Function of an AC Compressor Clutch
The AC compressor clutch is responsible for converting energy from the engine and delivering it to the compressor. When you turn on the air conditioning, the clutch engages and begins spinning to transfer the power.
The compressor clutch also keeps the air conditioning from running constantly. If it ran all the time, you would notice a decrease in fuel economy and have worn-out air conditioning components more often. It would also cause excessive strain on the engine.
Testing the AC Compressor Clutch
It doesn’t take long to figure out the AC compressor clutch is bad and you only need a few simple tools.
Inspect the Clutch
Take a look at the AC compressor clutch. You might need a flashlight to see it well. Most of the time that the clutch fails, you will see discoloration or a burnt area.
The clutch disc moves along flexible rubber isolators that allow it to move. When the heat becomes intense, it starts to melt, leaving a rusty color. When this happens, you must replace the entire compressor.
Jump Compressor
If you don’t see obvious signs that the compressor clutch is broken, you can jump it for further diagnosis. Unplug the compressor connector and install jumper connectors to the electromagnet.
You will need a wire crimp tool because the connectors are small. Route the wires to the car battery. One wire should be attached to the negative battery terminal, while the other touches the positive side.
If your electromagnet is good, the compressor clutch will kick on. Remove the positive wire to release the clutch. You can repeat this process several times to ensure the clutch is working as it should.
Every time you activate the clutch, you should hear it engage. If this doesn’t work as planned, the compressor might have a defective magnet, requiring replacement.
AC Compressor Clutch Replacement Cost
The average AC compressor clutch replacement cost is between $700 and $1000. Labor costs tend to be about $150 to $250, with the new compressor costing $450 to $850. It’s not normally recommended to replace the compressor clutch, but rather, install a whole new compressor.
Because the compressor is one of the main parts of the air conditioning system, it is an expensive part, probably the most costly of the entire system. However, it isn’t difficult to replace.
If you plan to continue driving your vehicle, replacing the AC compressor is a no-brainer decision. However, you don’t want to take shortcuts and replace just the clutch, just to find out down the road that another part is bad and you need a new compressor anyway.
AC Compressor Clutch FAQs
Can you replace just the clutch on an AC compressor?
Yes, you can replace just the clutch on most AC compressors, but it’s not always recommended. Sometimes you need to remove the AC compressor to replace the clutch, in which case it may be worth replacing the entire AC compressor if it is old and not too expensive.
How do you tell if AC compressor is bad or just the clutch?
First, you need to test the AC compressor clutch by manually engaging it either with a diagnostic computer or sending 12v power to it. If you manually power it and it doesn’t engage, the AC compressor clutch is bad and you need to continue to diagnose the compressor.
Can you replace AC clutch without removing compressor?
If you can replace the AC clutch without removing the compressor depends entirely on the car model and engine type. In some cars, there is enough space to use a special puller tool to remove the clutch, but in some car models you need to remove the compressor.
Can low Freon cause clutch not to engage?
Yes, low freon levels can sometimes cause the clutch not to engage. When the pressure is low, the AC pressure switch will cut off the power sent to the AC compressor clutch and the clutch will not engage.
Robert Blaske
Its a 99 yukon and the compressor clutch pulley is broken. Do i need to replace the condensor or can i just replace the compressor. Ac would gp from cold to warm when sitting and then it started to make a grinding noise. Put a new belt on it 2 weeks ago. When I r Try to turn pulley it will move but alot of resistance
Wendell Green
04 Navigator with scroll compressor. Clutch engages and turns, then will slip causing squeal, then will go back to turning. Would this be the clutch assembly or a bad compressor?
Maze
U have a bad bearing inside the clutch
Mary Sprout
If I replace the clutch/bearing on my a/c compressor, will that allow for the pulley to spin freely? Right now I DO NOT need the a/c to be functional. The refrigerant is completely gone. The compressor seized up 2 years ago. The local Ford garage quoted $2700. I don't have that kind of $. I need to get home to Montana. It's almost cold weather time there. I don't need the AC to work. I need the car to run. They didn't make a bypass pulley that year for my '05 Mercury Montego 3.0l. can't think of the trim right off hand but it's the front wheel drive so I don't know if that's the Premier or the Luxury, I can't remember. I can measure for a shorter belt and bypass the whole thing as long as there's enough clearance for the belt which I think there is, except my friend thought he was being helpful when he picked up the correct size belt. So as it stands, I would rather use the existing air conditioner with the free spinning pulley that the belt will fit as my first try and if that doesn't work of course I'll measure for the shorter belt and bypass the whole compressor. I'm in a hurry I need to do this as fast as I can so it's not an everyday thing so it'll take me longer to do it no matter how I do it so any input you can give me is greatly appreciated and I know it's not the correct way of doing it but like I said I do not need the air conditioner to work I just need the car to drive me to Montana and I can deal with fixing it later. I could also go to the nearest salvage yard and get a compressor and it can work or it doesn't have to work just so I have a pulley that spins so the belt will fit. thank you for your input I greatly appreciate it
Eric
Is the clutch plate supposed to be a tight fit? The whole system engages, but when the system is not on, the plate has some lateral play to it.
Danny E.
What causes your ac air switch form indoor air to outside air? If you push the button to change it back it works for a minute, but then cycles back to outdoor air. This causes the ac indicator light to go off or blink. The AC blows warmer air during this process.
Samuel
The pulley on the a/c compressor has a small play, is it normal?
Kayla Anthony
My 2015 Ford Explorer ac unit stopped working about a week ago, but there’s also a clicking noise in the front passenger side under the hood. Any ideas as what it could be? Is it my ac clutch?
Steve H
While replacing the thermostat in my 2013 Nissan Frontier some antifreeze spilled onto the ac compressor. Now the ac runs for about 15 minutes then the compressor shuts off. Could the coil that operates the clutch be damaged.
terence keating
Very good advice, but only found you by chance. My clutch is not engaging, have a aircon man coming tomorrow, clutch is turning by hand, got to check power to the clutch first as gas was over filled the other aircon man put it to the right pressure.