I need some advice on a compressor issue. The clutch broke - literally. One of the plates broke into pieces. I don't have the money to have the compressor fixed. I took the chance that I could replace the clutch and leave it uplugged. I did that today but the clutch stays engaged all the time. If I plug it in, it cycles off and on and starts to get hot and smoke. I screwed up and wasted $100 and still have the problem.

I cannot use a shorter belt because the way it is routed would bind. This is the 5.0 V8. I thought about the replacement pulley, but don't want to get arrested for venting the coolant.

Please help with any advice you have. I am in a very bad financial situation and cannot afford much money. I am recently divorced and this is the only transportation I have.

The more I think about this, the more I think I may have messed up on the install. There were several washers in the pack. But of course no instructions. Should the front plate - I don't know the terms, but the lat piece to go on with the small bolt in the center - spin even thought the clutch wiring is not connected?

I had assumed the clutch would be disengaged unless there was power to the coil. But it always spins...

I have searched for more instructions, but haven't been able to find any.