Can an AC Compressor die instantly?

[J. Kennedy]

My wife has been complaining about no AC in the X, and I have managed to ignore her since I dont drive it. Well, today I drove it in the heat wave. It was murder. Time to fix it. So I gave it a bottle of R-34 BEFORE I noticed the compressor clutch was not engaging!

I have had AC compressors go before, but never suddenly. They usually clang louder and louder until they go completely. Or, they cycle on & off due to lack of R34, and just wear out.

This has done neither. Just stopped. I checked the #18 15 amp fuse, its OK. The 2 plugs going to the compresser are OK.

Do I need a new compressor, or is there something else I should check 1st? Its not going to get any cooler for another 3 months, so any help would be appreciated. By both of us. Thanks!!

 

[DavidEBSmith]

In one of my former Subarus, the AC compressor just plain seized up one day. No leaks, no previous issues, just seized up solid. Fortunately I had the extended warranty that everybody says not to buy, 'cause they ended up replacing the whole AC system 'cause it was full of metal shavings from the compressor.

 

[Blee1099]

If its completely empty on freon, it will shutoff. I would recommend getting a set of manifold guages for the R-134a system and do a check on it. Having a .5 lbs of Freon or less will cause the compressor to shutoff. However having a AC compressor fail is common depending on age.

 

[Glacier991]

if the clutch is not engaging that says ZERO about the compresser per se, and a lot about either the charge state or the low pressure cutout. From your wife's complaint, I'm suggesting you investigate charge state first.

 

[hermitrl]

Glacier is correct as usual. If it was siezed--the clutch would engage and smoke the belt off the pulley.
If adding refrigerant made the clutch stop working----sounds like an overcharge?

 

[Glacier991]

Oh and, not sure how you got a can in it without the compressor operating, but if you did, you were WAY low...otherwise it would not have taken it. Suggests you may yet be low. (and have a serious leak)

thank your low pressure cutout, remember the refrigerant carries the OIL.

 

[J. Kennedy]

No metal shavings, the belt still spins, it has freon in it, (reads "medium" on my cheap gage) so its not a big leak or an "overcharge". I did not get the whole can in, just a little. The compressor does spin by hand, so not siezed.

Any ideas how to fix this?

 

[hermitrl]

Does the compressor cycle with the engine running as it is now? perhaps adding another can would trigger it?

 

[J. Kennedy]

Not cycling at all. Stays off, so wont take any more freon.

Is there any way to rig it so it stays on (engaged) all the time?

 

[Glacier991]

yeah there is, but do you WANT to do that? I'd have it properly evacuated and charged and then watch it. But yeah jump the low pressure cutout, it is located on the accumulator near the passender side firewall. I'm not voting for this procedure.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

yeah there is, but do you WANT to do that? I'd have it properly evacuated and charged and then watch it. But yeah jump the low pressure cutout, it is located on the accumulator near the passender side firewall. I'm not voting for this procedure.

Better yet, disconnect the A/C clutch and replace it with a multimeter or test light. Then jump the cut-off switch.

 

[smiley1]

I had my AC quit suddenly. No cycling and spun freely. I found some Freon that sprayed on the battery area. Turns out my compressor seal blew. Waiting to replace the seal.