Where to buy an A/C compressor that isn't made in CHINA!

[KIKER]

My air conditioner has just started acting up. It won't come on at idle and sometimes when I get on the road, it won't come on until I switch it off and on every couple of miles. When it does start cooling, it lasts the rest of the 60 mile commute home. Does this sound like the clutch malfunctioning? It's so busy in the oil patch here, I have an appointment at a local Firestone dealer a week from today to look at it. I'm at 151xxx miles now, with nothing done to the air conditioning.

 

[PFlory]

I have had 3 occasions in the last three months where when the a/c was turned on at idle the clutch slipped and smoked. I turned it off and then back on after getting up to speed and it worked properly after that. I was wondering if the clutch could be replace with the compressor on the truck without having to dump the charge and remove the compressor. I know its only a matter of time before it goes kaput, and I was going to order a compressor and have it on hand so I could git er done when it does fail, but I'd rather just order the clutch if that would be an easier fix. Has anyone done a clutch replacement that can chime in?

 

[Motorhead]

I have had 3 occasions in the last three months where when the a/c was turned on at idle the clutch slipped and smoked. I turned it off and then back on after getting up to speed and it worked properly after that. I was wondering if the clutch could be replace with the compressor on the truck without having to dump the charge and remove the compressor. I know its only a matter of time before it goes kaput, and I was going to order a compressor and have it on hand so I could git er done when it does fail, but I'd rather just order the clutch if that would be an easier fix. Has anyone done a clutch replacement that can chime in?

That is what mine did and the compressor was seizing on and off. It looks like yours is doing the same. Do you hear the compressor whine when it does run? You will hear it at idle and low RPM.

 

[seafish]

Sounds like bad windings on the clutch coil... . at least now you can buy a replacement clutch coil or clutch instaed of the whole enchilada--



http://www.amazon.com/Diesel-AC-Com...r=8-3&keywords=dodge+ram+ac+compressor+clutch



http://www.amazon.com/Diesel-AC-Com...r=8-7&keywords=dodge+ram+ac+compressor+clutch



DON'T know about the quality of these parts, but why replace the whole compressor if you can replace just the part going bad??

 

[PFlory]

I don't think it was the compressor siezing as I didnt hear any noise, but when I looked at the compressor you could see the clutch seemed to be running slower than the pully, kind of lile a strobe light was flashing as it ran. I guess next time it happens I will listen for compressor noise.



With that said I think I will just order the compressor and replace the entire thing as I would hate to go to the trouble of replacing the clutch in vain only to have a locking compressor.

 

[mpaulson]

Great! Mine died yesterday. The dealer can't get the OEM one for about 4-5 days, so we are going aftermarket and now I'm wondering what I'll get! I can't wait for the OEM one becasue I'm going on a trip in a day and a half and can't do without the A/C for a 4. 5 hr trip each way with a cab full of kids and the wife.
We sure are spoiled aren't we? never had A/C in any vehicle that my parents had while I was a kid, we survived.

 

[rscurtis]

You're correct. However, older vehicles had vent windows and some had outside air vents directly into the passenger compartment, so once you were moving, they weren't too uncomfortable. Most modern vehicles are meant to be driven with the windows closed.