A/C compressor clutch

leahjane10

Hello! I have a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire with 135K miles on it. The A/C slowly stopped working. A friend looked at it and told me that the compressor's clutch was not engaging (and showed me as well). He turned the clutch itself by hand when the car was off, and the clutch engaged after that. He filled the system with refrigerant and it worked great for about a week, and then it quit blowing cold air again. I can see that the clutch isn't engaging again. What would cause the clutch on the compressor to do this, and how can I fix it? I have been searcing the internet for hours and I can't find any info specific to what I am looking for.

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Leah

leahjane10

OKAY...so I was just outside looking at it again when the car was off...and I turned/spun the clutch with my hand like my friend did. I turned the car on, and the clutch engaged. I filled it with refridgerant, and it works...for now. It will likely do the same thing again, though. Any ideas as to why this is happening?

Leah

slickshift

You have a leak somewhere in the system

Unfortunately, I don't have a good DIY way to figure out where
Maybe someone else will post one up

The solution is to fix the leak...but obviously how to do that depends on where it is

You may want to consider a shop that specializes in A/C

Sammy

Slick is correct.

You have a leak that is why you are having to refill refrigerant all the time.

Most systems have a low pressure safety switch that cuts out the compressor if its low on refrigerant to keep the compressor from burning up.

You could pick up a dye leak detector at the auto parts store and see if the leak is obvious and simple. Hooks up just like the refrigerant. But if the repair is involved you might want to take it to an ac shop due to the special tools and having to evac and recharge the system.

crecore

you should bring it somewhere, you dont want to be breathing that sh t anyway.