When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
On most of my A/C compressors, on my other cars, I see a magnetic clutch that when you turn the A/C on it engages and turns with the belt & pulley and when off it disengages and just the A/C pulley & belt turns.
On my C3 I have a small compressor. I do not see the clutch engage (is there one internal?) I see the front of the compressor not turning, just the belt pulley does. I was expecting to see the front engage and turn when turned on but it doesn't. Is this normal for this unit? I'm all ears, waiting for this answer.
If the freon is low the clutch won't engage. There's a cutoff switch right up by the edge of the hood opening on the AC line. You can unplug it and jump the contacts to see if the clutch engages.
If the freon is low the clutch won't engage. There's a cutoff switch right up by the edge of the hood opening on the AC line. You can unplug it and jump the contacts to see if the clutch engages.
On other compressors it looks like a 2 piece unit. When I jump a different compressor, I can see the triangle part turn. This one when I turn on the a/c switch I hear a click but the triangle type part on the compressor front doesn't turn. I tried putting in freon but it will not accept it.
The green wire goes (only one is connected, are both supposed to be?) from the compressor to the switch on the high end freon evacuator on the right fender.
This is the switch I'm talking about, between the rubber and steel lines in the center/right in the pic.
To add freon, you MUST disconnect and jump it so the compressor stays on.