I was driving earlier today and for about 1/8 of a mile I had a loud griding coming from my engine while I was on the freeway. The sound went away and
1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
V8
Automatic Trans
All time 4 wheel drive
104,000 miles

I was able to get to work. Then later I started the car again, drove just a few yards down the street and it started griding again. I opened the hood and saw that the A/C clutch assembly was shot. Little bits of rubber were all over my engine block from it. Now, the part to replace it is 150 or more. But, I did not use my A/C at all this summer, so if I can just disable it that would be fantastic. The car has a serpintene belt so the pulley will always be spinning. Any way I can do something like this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I'm afraid there isn't much you can do here except repair it and the bad news is your WAY off on your estimate. You can electrically disconnect the compressor but your pulley is destroyed and you need that to carry the belt. Your not looking at just a clutch here. Your looking at a whole compressor to fix this mess as the heat from this clutch has melted the front seal and the compressor freezing up is likely what caused it in the first place. Your also going to have to replace the accumulator and the orifice tube and flush the system. At a shop your probably looking at $700 to $800 for the whole repair.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

A compressor is two things. Bushings when it's engaged or just a pulley when off. Two issues possible. You can just unplug it and tie away the connection to some harmless area and if that solves it let it be if you choose not to fix it otherwise and it stays quiet,

(Hammer beat me to this.)
It matters when it makes the noise and if rubber is flying off clutch you may need a replacement compressor with new clutch for the best fix,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston












(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Oct 30, 2009, 6:23 PM)

That 700-800 estimate scares the hell out of me.......

When I look at the pulley assembly where the rubber used to be there is no more, and there is just a loose piece of metal there that is grinding against the pulley. The pulley still rotates perfectly fine. Someone else mentioned that I may be able to get a belt for a model with out A/C and just bypass the A/C all together. Is that an option?

To add:

They sell blank compressors mounting gear such that belt works. Check A/CSource or where ever you wish if you are willing to do without A/C,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Are you saying that they sell something that is basically just a free spinning pulley that goes in place of the compressor as a cheaper non-A/C alternative?

They are rare and only made for a very few vehicles. I have never seen one for a Jeep.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

Is getting a belt for the same engine with out A/C an option?

Yes, it appears that would be possible on your model. The compressor would have to be removed first.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

I just checked AutoZone's website for the belt, and they list 2 belts for my engine. One is Poly-V A/C and the other is Poly-V w A/C . Is either of those for non A/C? To me it seems they are both for A/C.

Yes, they both appear to be for A/C in that case. I checked another supplier and they had none listed either. Alldata shows a routing diagram for a non-A/C vehicle but I bet it's pretty rare. You may have to use trial and error on the sizing starting with about 2 inches shorter than the original.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

I think I found what I need here

http://www.autoanything.com/...-hoses/201A1259.aspx

Hopefully that link works, just in case here is the info from the page

List Price: $47.16
AutoAnything: $25.95 each
You Save: $21.21 (save 45%)
Shipping: FREE
Fitment Note: W/o Air Conditioning
AutoAnything SKU: 3160367

Thank you very very very much for your help. Really helps me out a lot. Now I just have to hope my car survives Devil's Night in the area that it is at. As long as my car is there in the morning it seems I can get out of this pinch for about 30 bucks and a little bit of elbow grease. Very much appreciated. You guys are life savers :)

Your link just goes to a main page without the car info but the info seems correct. You shouldn't have to resort to shipping though. most any auto parts stores should stock it.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

That is what I was thinking. At the very most I should be able to get it at a local store within 24 hours. You just made my day :)

Be careful removing that compressor. You should have the refrigerant recovered first. It's under pressure in there and illegal to vent to the atmosphere.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

I figured as much. I already know about the legal issues involved with that. I think one of my friends works in a shop that I can have it purged in.

Could't find the belt for no A/C for this vehicle?? It must exist!

http://www.autozone.com/...&searchText=Belt

May have to walk into a store and ask??

I actually suggest NAPA for the best help if the belt can defeat the A/C,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston