On a 1999-2004 mustang, check on the passenger side freon valve area, There should be a cigar looking part( ithink it's brown) replace that part. Sorry it's been awhile since i did this and i totally forgot what the part is called. I had the same problem and when i repalce the part my A/C is ICE cold.
You need a special wrench that holds the compressor clutch while you turn the shaft nut with a socket. Sometimes you can fabricate one from a flat piece of metal with 2 or 3 holes drilled in it. Then put bolts through the metal with a nut holding it in place. Use the part of the bolts that protrude to engage the compressor clutch and hold it.
it is the clutch that turns on the compressor or the compressor it self. if the a/c works good i would think it is just the clutch. it is possible to replace just the clutch but it is pretty hard to get it off. you should buy the new part and you will see it has clips on the inside you have to pull off this center part first just to get to the clips. good luck!
You should be able to hear it engage-there is a clutch. If not, check the hot wire when someone turns on with a test light. If it has juice & does not engage, you may have a problem.
does it jump or fall? when you turn the ac on theac compressor engages. the ac wheel is always turning when the engine is started but when the ac is on the clutch plates in the wheel engage and the inside of the ac compressor turns an yata yata u get cold air. when the clutch plates engage the engine has to work a little harder to run the ac so the rpms change, and you mpg usually does to.
Most of the time, there is no way to route the belt without all the pulleys in place. As long as the bearing in the clutch on the AC turns it is alright, the compressor itself does not need to work.
97 Cherokee ACFreon is a little low. Another ViewpointThe freon is more than just a little low. It so low that if you continue to operate the compressor without a proper recharge, it will probably ruin the compressor as its lubricating oil is circulated throughout the system with the freon, and if the freon is that low, it does not circulate, and the compressor will eventually freeze up. Get an AC professional to trouble shoot the system to correct the leaks, verify the correct amount of oil and freon recharge.j3h.
Check the belt and pulleys. Make sure the AC pulley turns. When the AC is turned on, the clutch should engage to the pulley and the AC compressor should turn, and yes, it can cause the engine to vibrate a little. If the clutch doesn't try to engage, there could be some problems with the AC, but first try to find out what caused the noise, and determine if the AC compressor is turning.
Check the clutch it is a centrifugal clutch : Might have warn plates or be stuck. or it could be-the chain drive sprocket is warn out.
see API 618 description
THere isn't really any connection between the alternator and the compressor except that they are both driven by the belt. The alternator generates electricity for the vehicle, and the compressor uses electricity to power the clutch that turns the compressor shaft. I can't think of any other connection. They don't actually work together as if they were part of the same system. The alternator system, and the AC system are two separate systems that do not depend on each other to function, other than the fact that the compressor uses some electricity for the clutch, but if the alternator stops charging, the car's battery would supply the voltage needed until it runs down.
The computer turns the AC clutch off when accelerating for maximum engine power. The AC compressor uses up some engine horse power.
Assuming this is a factory installed a/c system and not an aftermarket one, there are several possibilities for the clutch engaging and disengaging. When the compressor cycles off, do both fans go off at the same time? The clutch and fans should work together in a properly operating system. The airconditioner routinely would cycle on and off in a good system to prevent the evaporator core from forming ice on the cooling fins and blocking airflow. If the clutch only cycles on and off and the fans remain running, a wiring problem say at the connection to the clutch or the thermal switch on the compressor itself may be defective. Another possibility is that the clutch coil is developing an "open circuit" but cycle times of the clutch engaging and disengaging would be fairly long. I'm sure there are more things that may cause your problem but these are good places to start looking.