Common questions

How do I know if my AC clutch is not engaging?

How do I know if my AC clutch is not engaging?

To check if the clutch is working properly or not, try using these methods:

  1. Turn on the air conditioning controls to maximum AC.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Look closer at the front of your clutch.
  4. At this moment, the clutch and the pulley should be spinning.
  5. If the pulley is the only rotating part, the clutch is not operating.

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.

Why does my car clutch not engage when low on refrigerant?

That’s why car makers install a low pressure switch–to prevent the compressor from running if the system is low on refrigerant. DIY recharging kits tell you to recharge through the low pressure port while the compressor is engaged. But if the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will never engage.

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.

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 to do if your a / C clutch is not working?

When the A/C system does not blow cold air the first thing that you show check is if the compressor engages. If it doesn’t do not assume that the A/C compressor itself is the problem. 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.

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 tell if your a / C compressor clutch is working / engaging?

If there are error codes on the A/C Control Unit the compressor will not engage and you will need to reset the fault codes using a diagnostic scanner such as the Launch Creader or iCarsoft MB II. How to tell if your air conditioner AC compressor clutch is working / engaging?

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.

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Ruth Doyle