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2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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salowist
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Jul 30, 2013, 9:37 AM
Post #1 of 20
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2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Does anyone have a good how-to on replacing the A/C clutch on a 2006 grand caravan? Do I have to remove the compressor or is it able to be done with the unit in tact? I will be getting a Haynes shortly but if anyone can offer some pointers it would be appreciated.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 30, 2013, 9:41 AM
Post #2 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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What happened to the old one?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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salowist
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Jul 30, 2013, 9:48 AM
Post #3 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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On our way home from a vaca a few days ago im pretty sure the bearing and pulley went out. It was making a really loud "roar" and when I looked under the vehicle i could see some sparking. I had to drive with it like that for about 20 miles which caused some damage to the pulley too. I dont think the whole compressor is bad but im not 100% on that.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 30, 2013, 11:02 AM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Yes you can replace just a clutch and not sure but some you can get a puller thru a wheel well. What the heck happened with sparks and all? Pulley damaged too!
You need to inspect this carefully to know what really went wrong. Clutch & bearing are doing almost nothing when compressor is engaged so would make a totally different sound and behavior if on or off.
If you just took the belt off you should be able to know for sure, spin just the pulley and see if hub can turn separately by hand. If messed up enough it might have wrecked shaft on compressor,
T
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Hammer Time
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Jul 30, 2013, 11:22 AM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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The high temp of the bearing nearly always takes out the frontr seal of the compressor. I really don't recommend replacing only the clutch.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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salowist
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Jul 31, 2013, 10:21 AM
Post #6 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Im ok for now if I do not have A/C but I can't afford to replace the compressor at this time. If the seal on the compressor is shot, will I need to replace the compressor for it to be drivable or will just the clutch assembly suffice?
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jul 31, 2013, 1:14 PM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Many vehicles need the clutch if only as a pulley. I'll let you check for parts for a bypass pulley if available.
It's not conclusive yet but if you took a static pressure at say about 80F of the system and it's lower than 80 PSI about then it's empty now so you know it's cooked now.
My guess is it needs the pulley whether you fix the A/C or not and you can drive it again just no A/C,
T
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Hammer Time
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Jul 31, 2013, 1:45 PM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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You'll be able to drive it with a bad seal but it won't hold refrigerant. The issue is that if you subsequently buy a compressor, it will come with another clutch and you'll have wasted the cost of the first one.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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salowist
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Jul 31, 2013, 1:53 PM
Post #9 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Thank you guys, much appreciated. I do think I will just have to only do the clutch because of the cost....
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salowist
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Aug 2, 2013, 8:06 AM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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I have a chrysler 3.8 engine with a 10S20H compressor in it. Do you have any good resources for the procedure for changing the a/c clutch? I found a video that describes how to change the clutch bearing for (what appears to be) a similar a/c compressor. I have the haynes manual but it doesnt have the clutch instructions, just the compressor as a whole.
Link deleted ...................... not allowed
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Aug 2, 2013, 8:08 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 2, 2013, 10:56 AM
Post #11 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Can you get a straight ling shot at it like thru the wheel well? You'll no doubt need the puller/installer set that might be rentable.
It's a long shot as I know it's tight underhood of almost everything that you could tilt compressor if not but then you need to support it or a maybe that air tools could do it with stressing the lines other wise you need to take it out but still need the puller. If it comes out you have then the added issue of dealing with the charge in it and putting it back in properly and the equipment for that.
I don't doubt in do have to set the air gap. I don't buy "Haynes" manuals because there's more to know than affordable books could have. Comprehensive A/C basics are a lot, specifics for many are wild,
T
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Aug 2, 2013, 12:50 PM
Post #12 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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I almost always use new parts especially on an ac system but one time I did buy a used compressor for a Chevy Venture off of ebay. It was like $90 and that included shipping. It lasted me about 4 years before it went out. It was well worth the cost. Used parts are always a crap shoot but many come with a 30-90 day warranty. In almost all of the listings they include how many miles the vehicle had that it came off of. You could also call around to local salvage yards.
Just a thought if money is tight right now.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 2, 2013, 1:22 PM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Yup MG - I've done the used thing too mostly when some obsolete clutch was mandatory even if compressor wasn't to work again it was fast to get a "dummy" in there for the pulley. Also done just bearings in a clutch many times.
FYI the clutch the just couldn't be found was on a 90 Tempo most of the exact one known for a rubber damper action that would come apart with heat or oil on them from anything.
AYOR always with used but if real lucky (here) I can catch cars just coming in, see it was working by careful checking even if not a running wreck. Once in a blue moon you find a part on some wreck that still has fingerprints on it it's so new!
Once came out with just a clutch and place was ticked but let it go and cheap too!
T
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salowist
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Aug 8, 2013, 1:37 PM
Post #14 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Thanks for all the help on this! I attempted to swap out the clutch but the exterior of the compressor shaft had a lot of damage to it so I opted for the bypass pulley instead. I have the compressor off and will be putting it on tonight but I am unsure what to do with the AC lines. I dont think I can easily get remove the lines to the condenser as the ac lines are routed to the front side of the vehicle. Can I just cut them off at the base of the metal boot and cover them?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2013, 1:44 PM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Hack job. I guess you never want AC again in that van. If your that cheap, you could of gotten a junk yard compressor and stuck it on there to have something to attach the lines too. If you hack up the system, it will cost an arm and leg to get it going again, but that is my opinion.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 8, 2013, 1:46 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2013, 1:52 PM
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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OK - Since you've opted out of A/C just plug the lines as well as you can, tie them out of harm's way - wire ties may do or something that will tolerate temp extemes under the hood.
As far as lines not coming apart: Some types reall can be so stuck you just are not going to get them apart.
If you even think you'll try for A/C again later put some PB on what looks like tough connections now and just maybe they'll cooperate later. Plug off well as PAG oils absorb moisture and you don't want that if ever to operate again without more items to do,
T
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salowist
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Aug 8, 2013, 1:54 PM
Post #17 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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No doubt its a hack and it was not my first choice but it was 50 for the bypass and its a guarantee that the bearings etc wont go out on it any time soon. Cant guarantee that from a junked clutch or compressor?
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salowist
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Aug 8, 2013, 1:56 PM
Post #18 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Much appreciated Tom, couldnt have done this job without your help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2013, 2:05 PM
Post #19 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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You must have been without use of this van for a while over this. By-pass pulley at least you can use it again to drive around.
It's a bit on the newer side to give up IMO all depends on use it gets and climate that is dominant where you are.
Long retired but many folks where I am wouldn't go nuts and spend the bucks at some point as the season is generally short.
Now if I needed to be well dressed and deal with traffic a lot that would be all different or always carrying a full load of passengers - individual choice. Just try not to make it harder if you or next owner wants it to work again,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 8, 2013, 2:09 PM
Post #20 of 20
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Re: 2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch
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Thanks. All regulars here are really looking out for the best suggestions as we see the situations,
T
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