AC problems Where do I start??

[grasp]

The other day I was sitting in traffic with the windows down and the AC OFF. My car had been running for about a half an hour and wasnt running any hotter than normal. I began to smell something but I thought it was someone elses car. It almost smelled like burnt rubber or something of the sort. I ignored it until I realized that at 65 i still smelled it and knew then it was me. I was only 2 minutes from my house so I drove it home popped the hood and didnt smell anything. Later that night, I realized when I turned the defrosters on that the smell came back but quickly disappeared. The car is running normal. Today I tried to turn on the AC and its blowing hot but its blowing just as hard as it would if it were cold. The AC had always run perfectly in my car and nothing had ever been replaced from the system. Whats the best course of action?

 

[I'll sho u]

You will likely find that the compressor has gone bad

 

[SHOkid13]

Run the EATC self test, it can be found at www.Shotimes.com

It could be any number of things.

 

[projectSHO89]

You will likely find that the compressor has gone bad

More likely the compressor clutch was slipping...

Steve

 

[SHOkid13]

Ahhhh! Good one! Does your AC compressor engauge still? I had a similar problem so I removed one of the shims behind the clutch and it's all gravy for the past 20K miles or so. If your clutch sometimes engauges, and when it's hot it doesn't engauge this could be the problem.

 

[Ishodu]

It could also be that the compressor is sizing up and the belt is getting burnt when the clutch is engaged.

 

[grasp]

The general feeling that im getting is that it is the clutch. How do I know when it tries to engage. Or what should I look for. Ive never delt with AC systems before.

 

[Snake2715]

well park the car....

Turn it on and turn the A/C system on.

Check the compresser which is the lowest pulley closest to the front of the car.

You will notice that the pulley always spins but only once in a while the compressor will cycle or kick on. You will see the compressor spinning with teh pulley when this happens. Its a clutch system and the compressor sits to the right(drivers side) of the pulley..

Thats the basic info. Someone else will chip in with what to do but check www.shotimes.com and their faq (frequently asked questions) section. It has a few good articles on this issue.

 

[SHOkid13]

You can check to make sure it is actually the clutch with a broom handle. BE CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS.

If the clutch isn't engaging, push on the front of it with a broom handle (or stick). You don't have to push very hard, just enough to persuade the clutch magnet to grab. If it grabs, then you should just remove a shim from behind the clutch. If the clutch won't engage even if you push a little harder, then you have another issue.

If the clutch engages and you still don't have cool air, it may be the Blend Door, or a faulty compressor.

 

[grasp]

Thanks guys ill let you know how i make out

 

[grasp]

Update
I delt with no AC all summer and was fine but now that I need heat I have found that it only blows one temperature ****. It blows hot no matter what temp I set it to. Does this eliminate anything?

 

[NoFlipping]

I had the same thing happen when the rubber piece that holds the two-piece version of the A/C clutch face tore apart. Picture a clutch face made up of two concentric circles. The outer portion of the clutch engages the field coil as is should, but the inner portion (which connects to the compressor) remains stationary. The remaining rubber membrane which formerly connected the two pieces just rubs on itself causing the bad smell. Mine was on OEM clutch ('95) which I replaced with one piece aftermarket part, so I'm not sure which one you have. It hasn't really gotten cold enough most of the time here to get much cold "VENT" air, so I'm not sure if the last post does elimiate anything, but the defroster clue still points to the A/C clutch as it's engaged in defrost mode. Just a guess. Good luck.

BTW - the tear in the rubber was nearly impossible to detect until I removed the clutch and had it in hand.

 

[naval-avi8or]

Update
I delt with no AC all summer and was fine but now that I need heat I have found that it only blows one temperature ****. It blows hot no matter what temp I set it to. Does this eliminate anything?

Clutch Air GAP. Either re-shim the clutch to proper gap or replace the clutch if unable to get the proper gap by reshimming.

 

[grasp]

Ok thats what Ill do. What kinda job do I have facing me here? Is this like an hour or two or an all day thing. Are there any threads with any info on the job?

 

[NoFlipping]

In a nutshell IIRC, remove battery, remove alternator, loosen compressor (so you can tilt it up ), adjust shims. Took me maybe an hour, hour and a half to replace my A/C clutch entirely. Hope this helps (and is right) - it's pretty straightforward. Good luck.