AC Compressor problems - AC Auto Repair Help Forum


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AC Compressor problems

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> AC Auto Repair Help Forum

rdjediknt
User

Jun 23, 2008, 2:28 PM

Post #1 of 3 (3197 views)

AC Compressor problems	Sign In

Hello,

I have a 1991 Saturn SL and have a quick question for you. Today I noticed when I had my AC on while driving the air started to get warm, my power steering was acting funny and the battery light came on. I pulled over to the side and could hear a "rattling" noise from the AC Compressor. I turned it off immediately.

I'm pretty certain it is about to fail and I need to replace the AC Compressor as I was told I'd have to do this at some point which I understand. My question is if my AC Compressor completely fails, can I still drive my car without breaking anything else? Thanks alot in advance for your help. Any other advice is greatly appreciated as well.

(This post was edited by rdjediknt on Jun 23, 2008, 2:30 PM)

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 23, 2008, 6:27 PM

Post #2 of 3 (3192 views)

Re: AC Compressor problems	Sign In

For the exact moment the belt isn't working for anything it seems. This is likely a pulley problem - the clutch to the A/C, A/C bushings of the compressor, an idler pulley or any of them. Take this belt off and spin each item - one should be obvious.

Compressor is just a passive pulley when not engaged and when engaged that pulley is locked and the bushings of the compressor are the bearings - it's an "either/or" thing. If the compressor's clutch pulley will spin silently and free - no wobble you can disconnect a bad compressor's electric plug and plastic wire tie plug safely away and just have no A/C but AGAIN the passive pulley bearing must be good. That can be replaced if that's the whole problem.

Need to know just what this problem is before suggesting you drive it. Right now DON'T as there's something too wrong as I think you know.

It's possible this isn't the A/C compressor or it's clutch but when it tried to work it might have annoyed another bearing to fail.

Belt off and check which one is the culprit,

T

rdjediknt
User

Jun 25, 2008, 12:42 PM

Post #3 of 3 (3183 views)

Re: AC Compressor problems	Sign In

Hi Tom and thanks for your reply. This problem is now fixed, but I wanted to let you know what we found. Upon closer look under the hood we found that the serpentine belt was really loose. It turned out that I had a bad tensioner which made everything clear as i lost power steering, AC, and alternator all at once. Once we replaced the tensioner, all was good again. Thanks again!

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