Hey SwedeSpeed,
Just a quick write-up of a recent repair I thought the DIY community would be interested in....especially with the record breaking heat we are dealing with!
Observe all appropriate safety precautions when lifting a vehicle, working around a running engine and/or walking down stairs. I accept no liability for your actions.
Symptom: Intermittent A/C compressor operation
Fault: Weak compressor clutch/ Excessive Air gap
Test: Engine running, A/C "on" but compressor is not engaged. With a small piece of wood (hammer handle, stick, etc) give the face of the clutch a quick tap between the 6 and 7 o'clock position. If the fault is a weak clutch (what this write-up will address) the compressor will immediately engage and may knock your tool out of your hand or possibly into your hand (the 6-7 o'clock recommendation will reduce the chance of being knocked into your hand).
From what I can observe the air gap on these compressors are set by three small rubber bumpers. I slipped a suitable sized e-clip http://bfy.tw/Iw5u between the large part of the rubber bumper and the metal of the clutch. It is a little bit of a fight to get both ears of the clip started between the rubber and face of the clutch, I found a screwdriver to pry the air gap shut opened up the slot better, pair of needle nose pliers to insert the clip to start and then regular pliers to squeeze it home worked the best. With a little practice the last one will go in surprisingly easy. Still with the engine off rotate the face of the clutch to make sure it still moves freely and no dragging.
I estimate this closed my air gap by ~.010 and after the installing the three clips my compressor engaged 10 out of 10 tries!
Good luck, hope this works for some more people! Happy motoring!
Mods: This repair will work on any compressor that uses these rubber bumpers, I am confident they are used on many (if not all) other models. It may be helpful to sticky this somewhere it will get better visibility. If pics are necessary to get the point across I can take some/ upload after I get back from my trip.
Just a quick write-up of a recent repair I thought the DIY community would be interested in....especially with the record breaking heat we are dealing with!
Observe all appropriate safety precautions when lifting a vehicle, working around a running engine and/or walking down stairs. I accept no liability for your actions.
Symptom: Intermittent A/C compressor operation
Fault: Weak compressor clutch/ Excessive Air gap
Test: Engine running, A/C "on" but compressor is not engaged. With a small piece of wood (hammer handle, stick, etc) give the face of the clutch a quick tap between the 6 and 7 o'clock position. If the fault is a weak clutch (what this write-up will address) the compressor will immediately engage and may knock your tool out of your hand or possibly into your hand (the 6-7 o'clock recommendation will reduce the chance of being knocked into your hand).
From what I can observe the air gap on these compressors are set by three small rubber bumpers. I slipped a suitable sized e-clip http://bfy.tw/Iw5u between the large part of the rubber bumper and the metal of the clutch. It is a little bit of a fight to get both ears of the clip started between the rubber and face of the clutch, I found a screwdriver to pry the air gap shut opened up the slot better, pair of needle nose pliers to insert the clip to start and then regular pliers to squeeze it home worked the best. With a little practice the last one will go in surprisingly easy. Still with the engine off rotate the face of the clutch to make sure it still moves freely and no dragging.
I estimate this closed my air gap by ~.010 and after the installing the three clips my compressor engaged 10 out of 10 tries!
Good luck, hope this works for some more people! Happy motoring!
Mods: This repair will work on any compressor that uses these rubber bumpers, I am confident they are used on many (if not all) other models. It may be helpful to sticky this somewhere it will get better visibility. If pics are necessary to get the point across I can take some/ upload after I get back from my trip.
