2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A/C Help!

[litespeed]

Well my A/C died yesterday! Not good... . This is the wrong time of the year and the wrong color truck for this problem.



I was cruising down the Florida Turnpike with the A/C on low and the cruise control set. All of the sudden it quit. Like someone flipped a switch? Went from cold to warm (very quickly). Fan still blows fine.



When I got off the turnpike and came to the first red light I switched it off then back on and it worked briefly then faded away again. After this... ... It was gone.



Any ideas on where to look?



I'm thinking fuses and connections first. But after I check these things are there any other obvious things I should look at?



I also noticed this. When the A/C is off the clutch on the compressor is not turning (normal). When I turn the A/C off the clutch is trying to spin but is only barely spinning. It is sliping badly.



Is it possible to replace just the A/C clutch?



Thanks,



AJ

 

[Alphacowboy]

pop the hood and have someone turn the a/c on. watch the clutch on the pump to see if it engages. if it does, but only for a sec, it could be a bad clutch. Another thing it could be you caught a rock in the condeser and it cracked it. If the clutch is engaging, I would definately check all the hoses and pipes for leaks... if it leaked, and it appears that it has so very rapidly, there should be an oily film where it dumped out the coolent. If the clutch doesnt engage at all, check fuses, if they are ok, check your connections to the clutch wire. If all looks good, the clutch probably gave up

 

[litespeed]

Alpha,



I just edited my post.



It is the clutch.



Is it possible to replace just the clutch or does the whole compressor need to be replaced?



Here is what I found.....



The clutch disc had slipped out and slid down about 1/8". So the when the compressor kicked on the disc would get partially stuck on the outer edge of the pulley and the front piece of the clutch.



I took a hammer and screwdriver and tapped the disc back up to where it is supposed to be. The A/C works like it used to, blows cold etc... .



Problem now is I'm sure this will happen again. It looks like there is a nut on the front of the compressor. Looks like this nut holds all this stuff in place. Is it possible just to replace the clutch disc or the entire clutch assembly? It looks serviceable.....



Regards,





AJ

 

[litespeed]

Ok,



I just went for a drive and the damn disc slipped out sideways again. It worked good for about 3 miles. Now the disc is contacting the outside of the pulley again. I tapped it back in there for now (so things dont get hot).



So, can I get the clutch from Dodge and just replace the outer plate and disc (leaving the pulley on there)? Or should I replace the pulley too? I have already read about people having a hard time getting the pulley off. I have quite a bit of corrosion down here. So, I will probably have the same problem.



AJ

 

[litespeed]

Ok...



The Dodge dealer was the only place I could find the clutch (locally). It will be here tomorrow.



Can I just replace the outer plate and leave the old pulley on there?



Or should I replace the whole thing.



I'm starting this job tomorrow morning so any help is greatly appreciated.



AJ

 

[BigPapa]

So, can I get the clutch from Dodge and just replace the outer plate and disc (leaving the pulley on there)? Or should I replace the pulley too?

AJ,



The clutch will come with the pulley. I can't remember the details exactly but I thought I would leave my old pulley on there, too, and it wouldn't work with the new clutch. Like I said I can't remember exactly why.



Read here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162213



Scott

 

[litespeed]

Scott,



Thanks for your help here and in the other thread!!



I should know something here in a couple hours.



AJ