Air conditioning clutch

[LIVEAnimals]

So today I noticed some smoke coming out of the engine bay and when I popped the hood I noticed the clutch on the pump was skipping and locking up. This only happens when the AC is off, when it's on it works great and blows cold. Has anyone changed this clutch? Does it sound like the clutch is the problem? Do I need a special puller? It's in my 90 V2500 Sub with a 5.7.

 

[driney]

So today I noticed some smoke coming out of the engine bay and when I popped the hood I noticed the clutch on the pump was skipping and locking up. This only happens when the AC is off, when it's on it works great and blows cold. Has anyone changed this clutch? Does it sound like the clutch is the problem? Do I need a special puller? It's in my 90 V2500 Sub with a 5.7.

The bearing has gone out in the clutch and seized up. It does take a special puller, but I don't remember it being expensive.

 

[bigred88]

If I'm not mistaken you can borrow the clutch tool from autozone/advance/Oreilly's- pay for it up front, get all your money back when you return it.

 

[LIVEAnimals]

UPDATE: So today I tried to recreate the problem and i noticed the AC wouldnt turn off, weird, no matter what I did with the controls in the cab but when I got home it would turn off with the controls. Does this still sound like a bad clutch, I just got the new one I ordered from Summit?

 

[paratrooper307]

Probably. Sounds like the clutch locked in and wouldn't release. You can check your clutch switch to be sure, circuit is quite simple.

 

[LIVEAnimals]

Thanks for the help. I'll update after I change it out.

 

[Blue85]

It's really easy to pull the connector from the clutch coil to see if it's an electrical or mechanical issue.

 

[LIVEAnimals]

It's really easy to pull the connector from the clutch coil to see if it's an electrical or mechanical issue.

So remove the electrical connection off the pump and see if the problem purists?

 

[wasted wages]

Yup.......

simply unplug the clutch wire....clutch should freewheel.... compressor should stop turning.....

beyond that.... something is locking up in the clutch...

If it still smokes the belt with the clutch wire off, the bearing in the clutch is shot....


cheap fix ( no A/C ) is a an A/C compressor bypass pulley.....http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...ickup+RWD&vi=1031184&keyword=ac+bypass+pulley
or drop the compressor and buy a smaller belt....

 

[Fordum]

If the clutch bearing has seized, it will spin the compressor all the time if the clutch is engaged or not.
That may be what you are seeing. Or if the bearing is worn enough, it can let the clutch wobble enough to bind and drive the compressor even when its off.

But if it will not disengage even with the wires unhooked, I'm betting the bearing has seized.