Why is the clutch on my AC not working?

There are many reasons why an AC clutch does not engage. It could be because of a blown fuse, a bad clutch coil, or an open on the wire to the clutch coil. It could also be of poor ground or a low-pressure lockout.

What to do when Clutch won’t engage?

So you need to use a paper clip to bypass the relay switch and force the clutch to engage. You can then recharge the freon and re install the relay switch and it will sense more pressure and the clutch will engage by itself. Loading…

Why does the clutch not engage in a low pressure car?

If the PCM (powertrain control module) senses low pressure in the low pressure fluid line, it will stop the compressor clutch from engaging to prevent any damage. This is because low pressure = low fluid, and r 134a is also oil/lubricant for the compressor and if you don’t have fluid then you will damage the compressor.

How is the AC compressor connected to the clutch?

The AC compressor is empowered by the flywheel of a car’s engine. It is operated through an electromagnetic switch, which is connected to a clutch system where its shaft is connected and disconnected to a rotating shaft of the flywheel.

What does it mean when your a / C clutch does not engage?

If the Compressor doesnt engage with direct power from the battery then the Compressor is shot. Sorry also jump the high pressure switch.. IF the still doesnt engage it then you need to run power directly to the AC compressor and see if the compressor engages then.

How is the clutch connected to the AC unit?

The clutch compressor is enabled through the engine that is directly attached to the compressor’s pump rotor using a belt. However, most car AC systems now use an electromagnetic clutch piece that engages the compressor to spin the air conditioning unit.

What should I do if my compressor clutch is not working?

If you’re not getting battery voltage, pull the compressor clutch relay and check for power and ground on the relay control coil terminals in the socket. Wiring varies by make, model, and year. Some car makers trigger the relay control coil ground through the PCM or ECM.

What to do if there is no power to an A / C compressor?

Re: No power to a/c compressor, I have checked the fuses,… The trigger from the dash switch activates the relay which in turn switches on the solenoid pulley to engage the compressor to work. If this circuit is traced the fault of a open circuit can be found out. If there is no power in the fuse or relay then the main wiring must be checked.

How to know if your car clutch is in good condition?

Try checking if the clutch is in good condition by applying these steps: 1 Turn the AC controls to maximum air conditioning. 2 Start the car engine. 3 Look closely and observe the front part of your clutch. 4 Make sure that the clutch and the pulley is spinning simultaneously. 5 If the only rotating part is the pulley, then the clutch fails to run.

Why does my AC compressor clutch not engage?

Why AC clutch won’t engage If the clutch doesn’t engage, the problem could be a blown fuse, an open in the wire to the clutch coil, a bad clutch coil, a poor ground, or a low pressure lockout. AC compressor clutches receive power in a number of ways.

What should you do if your AC clutch is not engaging?

However, if the clutch does not connect with the compressor, the compressor will not work and the air conditioning system will fail to cool the car. Try checking if the clutch is in good condition by applying these steps: Turn the AC controls to maximum air conditioning.

Why does my car clutch not turn on?

Clutch sensor- default lockout Many modern-day cars are built with AC clutches that turn on and off using high and low-pressure switches and compressor oil levels through the fuse. There are three reasons why the compressor clutch does not engage, especially if the sensor detects them. These include low or excess refrigerant and insufficient oil.

Excess Refrigerant: If the system has refrigerant overcharge, the clutch will not be engaged. This prevents the temperature from rising and damage the compressor. AC system must have a certain amount of refrigerant charge to operate properly. This is the common reason why the AC clutch is not engaging.

When does the AC compressor clutch spin freely?

Should AC Compressor Clutch Spin Freely? The AC compressor clutch can spin freely when fully disengaged. It will also spin freely when the compressor and the pulley are engaged. However, if the AC compressor clutch spins freely every time, and the compressor fails to turn on, it is an indicator that it is not engaging, and it required replacement.

How to jump start an AC compressor clutch?

How to Jump AC Compressor Clutch 1 Disconnect Clutch Oil Cable. 2 Make Sure Compressor Have Sufficient Oil. 3 Set the Amount of Refrigerant. 4 Jump Start the Clutch. 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How Do You Manually Engage AC Compressor Clutch? …

Can a car clutch lock out on an AC compressor?

Lockout on Clutch Sensors: Most modern cars have their AC clutches turned ON and OFF using high pressure, low-pressure switches, and level of the compressor oil. If one of these three aspects has defected, then the clutch will never be engaged. In your car’s fuse box, locate the air conditioning fuse and take it out.

What should I do if my Clutch is not working?

Do an ohm test on the sensor for the low side – it’s on the silver can, accumulator. It should be shorted and opens about 40 PSI. If it is open it has gone bad or more likely you have lost the freon charge out of the system.

What to do if your dryer clutch fails?

You need to go in and get a couple of jumper wires and bypass you safety switches is where I would start. The one on the dryer is the low pressure switch and is the most common one to fail.

What should the volts be on my a / C CLUTCH?

I disconnected the plug and measured volts at the plug with the engine running and the dash button “on”. The black wire measured a solid 14.2 millivolts, while the green wire’s reading fluctuated wildly… between 300mv and 1.3v (the best that I could tell, anyway, as it was fluctuating rapidly).

What does it mean when your AC is not turning on?

At any rate, the ac compressor clutch cannot be in full working order if the ac will not turn on. If you believe you have an ac compressor clutch that will not engage, read on to see if you recognize any of the symptoms: Warning lights – Warning lights on your dash will usually activate to let you know something is wrong.

Why is the clutch not engaged on my Mercedes?

Remember that the A/C clutch is controlled by the A/C Control Unit. If that unit detects an error it will not engage the A/C compressor to avoid it getting damaged. One other reason why the A/C compressor does not engage is the fact that the system may be low on R134 refrigerant.

How to troubleshoot a / C compressor clutch problems on your Mercedes?

This video is helpful if you are trying to troubleshoot air conditioner problems, the A/C compressor clutch in particular. This opens in a new window. Start by turning the engine on. Set the AC to maximum cold setting. Open the hood and look at the serpentine belt to locate the AC compressor.

Why is the clutch not engaged on my gas compressor?

But if the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will never engage. Some DIYers then hotwire the low pressure switch to force the compressor clutch to engage while they recharge. BAD MOVE. At that point you’re running the compressor with little to no oil.

What does it mean when your clutch is not turning?

Both the pulley and the clutch should be spinning. That means the clutch has properly engaged with the pulley. If only the pulley is turning, but the clutch disc isn’t, there’s a problem somewhere in the system.

Why is the pulley not engaging the clutch?

Turn the air conditioning controls to MAX AC and start the engine. Then look at the front of the compressor clutch. Both the pulley and the clutch should be spinning. That means the clutch has properly engaged with the pulley. If only the pulley is turning, but the clutch disc isn’t, there’s a problem somewhere in the system.

What makes a Ford a / C CLUTCH not turn on?

Usually a ford leaks at the springlock couplings and the compressor shaft seal, random oily residue around an ac fitting is usually a sure sign of a leak and also if you see a ring of oil slung around the compressor clutch area (hood, radiator hoses, etc) thats a good sign also.

What to do if your air conditioner clutch does not engage?

If the clutch doesn’t engage, the air conditioning compressor can’t pump refrigerant. So start your diagnosis by determining if the compressor clutch works. Turn the air conditioning controls to MAX AC and start the engine. Then look at the front of the compressor clutch.

What does the clutch do on an AC unit?

What is an AC Compressor Clutch? The AC compressor clutch is the first thing that moves every time you turn on your AC. Think of it as a switch that is responsible for engaging and disengaging the AC compressor pulley from its compressor drive.

What does it mean when your clutch is not working?

First, turn ON the AC and fan to the maximum. Start the engine, and then look if the clutch and the pulley are running. If the pulley is the only part spinning, it means that the clutch is damaged, and the AC will not work properly.

How can you tell when your AC clutch is bad?

Several indicators may help you to know when the AC clutch relay is bad. The most obvious sign of a bad AC clutch relay is that the AC compressor is not turning ON. Normally, you will hear a click sound when the clutch is connected.

Why is the clutch on my AC not working?