A/C compressor failure

[JGheen]

Well, headed north on Friday for the Moto GP race and i guess the A/C compressor had failed from what the dealer said this morning. It was blowing a nice heated breeze on the cool setting all the way to Salinas from LA. #@$%! Made for a nice oven ride the whole way for me and my son, at least we got out the 104* heat when we hit King City and saw that coastal fog rolling in. Oo.

Anyway, enough of the ranting about it, anyone else have an A/C compressor just fail like this on their '06? Not sure what has exatcly failed but it's gone out at the 63800 mile mark and will be covered under my 5yr/100K so I only gotta come up with a small deductible but better than 3 hours labor, freon charges and a new $360 compressor. Oo. Thank you warranty!



Joe

 

[DPrew]

My 06' AC went out with about the same millage and was covered by my Business Link warranty. If you had to pay a dealer full price for the compressor, dryer, and all the other part that get contaminated when a compressor tanks (plus labor) it would likely be a minimum of $1500.

 

[JGheen]

Good to know everything is gonna be covered under warranty for only $100 deductable, I would've gone insane paying that much for a un-warrantied job. Sounds like a possible common problem with the '06s if your went out about the same mileage... ...



Joe

 

[jsdan]

My 06 went out last week- only 50K miles! It was only the clutch but you have to buy the compressor as one peice! Cost me 600. 00 to replace- I am going to call dodge customer service and complain!

 

[PintoHauler]

Too bad many of us with '06's are getting close to that 5 year mark and well under the 100K mark. I have been reading way too many articles on the forum about common, almost built-in failures on these trucks. I love my truck, but I hate spending so much money on repairs. Makes me think of the old mentailty that 100K means the American car is toast, based on how the Japanese stuff came on so strong. I know these Cummins engines are good for the long haul, but it seems we haven't left the '70's with everything external to the engine having such bad failure rates.

 

[Bob4x4]

The 06 compressors I have been seeing are made in Korea

 

[Barry]

Guys, watch the replacement compressors from DC... ... ... ..... they have a whole batch of faulty electric connectors. Hit a bump and it will quit. My replacement failed in 7,000 miles... ... ... ... ... electrical connector. The replacement,for the replacement failed in 8,000 miles... ... ... ... ... . but it ran far enough to get me out of DCs 12/12 warranty... ... ... ... ... I fixed it myself.

There is a rectangle black connector with a red release button... ... ... . thump it or wiggle it and see if the compressor kicks in... ... ... . worth a try. Took the connector apart, tweaked the connector pins, filled with electrical grease and slipped it back together. Works!

 

[Bob4x4]

If the issue is poor contact through the A/C compressor clutch / engine wiring connector, do not replace the compressor or compressor clutch. Use p/n 05017117AA to replace the engine wiring harness connector. The Mopar Crimping Tool (p/n 05019912AA) should be used to splice the connector onto the wiring harness.







Issue Number 2



If the A/C compressor clutch needs to be replaced because of an issue with the clutch's electrical coil circuit, do not replace the compressor. The compressor clutch can be serviced by using p/n 05016127AB.





Please do not lift the compressor by the compressor clutch wiring harness as this may cause

 

[jsdan]

Bob 4x4, as far as I can tell the compressor clutch in the 06 is non-servicable, right? The coil was burnt in mine (could smell the burnt smell around comp. area). The connection was fine. Several different parts men said there is no clutch for an 06- Must replace the compressor.

 

[JGheen]

If the issue is poor contact through the A/C compressor clutch / engine wiring connector, do not replace the compressor or compressor clutch. Use p/n 05017117AA to replace the engine wiring harness connector. The Mopar Crimping Tool (p/n 05019912AA) should be used to splice the connector onto the wiring harness.







Issue Number 2



If the A/C compressor clutch needs to be replaced because of an issue with the clutch's electrical coil circuit, do not replace the compressor. The compressor clutch can be serviced by using p/n 05016127AB.





Please do not lift the compressor by the compressor clutch wiring harness as this may cause

Thanks for that info and part numbers Bob, they just might come in handy after the 'ol warranty expires next October. .



Joe

 

[Southbound]

My compressor failed at 34k ... ... . and after closer inspection it appeared that the clutch locked up!!! My buddy had his fail around 38k with the same symptom. And yes both were 06 models. This is my third Dodge and out of all them my 06 has been plagued with issues!! Front-end, transmission, pinion seals (5 times), steering box (3 times), etc..... Its very discouraging to have this many problems but I am sticking with the truck!! Dodge (RAM) fan forever!!!

Southbound

 

[jsdan]

compressor clutch part# 05016127AB lists for model years 03-05. Parts people I talked to say 06 is non-servicable!

 

[jsdan]

Updated! after a long talk with Dodge customer service they have agreed to reimburse the price of the compressor! $375. 00! This will help keep me a Dodge customer!

 

[MegaTony06]

Same here...compressor clutch went out and burned up the compressor 49,XXX miles.



When it went out it started a surge/pulse feel when driving. Thought it was a grounding issue or FCA problem initially - until the A/C quit blowing cold air.



See this previous thread: Surging problem on a 2006



$900. 00 at local dealer to change compressor/clutch (as mentioned non-serviceable clutch), refrigerant, purge/pack lines. Had them change the serpentine belt and pulley tensioner (self provided those two items). Heck, $356 was labor .



Was trying to find an aftermarket compressor and clutch that was bigger and more robust for the MegaCab. Couldn't find anything. :{ So it now has a new Dodge/Chrysler replacement unit. The Suburban I rented to drive to Wichita has a better unit and more space to cool. But I digress.

 

[BGlidewell]

Wondering if a smaller pulley on the compressor would overcome the rpm issues to make it work like itwas on a gasoline engine.

 

[TMax]

Mine failed at 78000 miles and was told that the clutch was not serviceable. I had a friend replace the compressor and replace the freon for $400. Yes... good friend. I hope it lasts longer than 8000 miles!

 

[Barry]

Anyone ever do any biz with Discount A/C Parts??



I need the front condenser.



If you look under your hood, there are white plastic sticks that protrude behind the grille. As my snubbers on the core support wore down, it allowed these sticks/pins to rest on the top of my condenser... . wearing a pin hole in it. I have since elevated the snubbers by rotating them to hold the hood higher. I also broke off the little plastic sticks/pins that caused the problem.



It now takes about a can of 134 a week to keep us cool.

 

[Hunter1]

Mine in my 2003 failed at 78,000. Cost me $100 as I bought the extra extended warranty Dodge offered a few years ago, 5 more years and 50,000 more miles. Man has it paid off so far! Got the whole front end rebuilt, A/C compressor etc.