First, check the electric system, fuses, circuit breaker, and connection to the clutch assy. Chances are your refrigerant level is low and the low pressure cut out switch is preventing the clutch from engaging in order to protect the compressor. You can jump across the terminals at the overload fuse to check operation of the clutch but only for a short period of time in case your system is low on refrig/oil. Evacuate and recharge the system.
Dont jump them, its not a switch, its a transducer and you could wreck your pcm by jumping the wrong one. Run a power wire directly to your compressor to get the clutch to engage. If it doent engage then, it is your clutch. Remember to first check refridgerant level and fuses/relays. Good luck.
low freon
Turn on ac and watch clutch on front of ac compressor. If clutch doesn't engage then AC relay is bad. Or you can follow the schematic on the side of the relay and use a volt meter to test it.
To test the AC compressor on a 1993 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 V6 engine, start by checking the refrigerant levels to ensure they are adequate. Next, with the engine running and the AC set to maximum, observe the compressor clutch; it should engage when the AC is activated. If the clutch does not engage, use a multimeter to check for voltage at the clutch connector. If there is voltage and the clutch still does not engage, the compressor may be faulty and require replacement.
You could have air in the lines
That sounds like a sticking clutch relay.
Most Likely Low With Freon.
The a/c clutch will not engage and the compressor will not come on.............
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 fuse or ac relay in under hood fuse box.. if out of coolant ac clutch will not engage,this is a safety feature!!
The clutch receives it's signal to engage from a pressure switch in the system. If there is insufficient refrigerant in the system the pressure switch will not close resulting in no power at the compressor clutch to make it engage.
First, the clutch won't engage if the refrigerant level is low. Start there. Next, check the sensor at the receiver/dryer.