Compressor Bad?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
The pulley will still spin even if the internals are locked. If the clutch hub spins its probably not locked.
Is it a hard mechanical lock up, or just a belt that starts slipping? If it runs for a little while before it starts slipping, its probably the latter.
In that case it could be "locking up" due to a loose belt, or excessive high size pressure which makes it hard for the compressor to turn.
High pressure could be caused by being overcharged, by a restriction in the system, or even by poor airflow through the condenser.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
"Driveshafts" got it covered pretty good. The compressor has an electric clutch, that only actually engages the compressor, when switching the A/C system on. If the units totally locked up, smoking the belt, then possibly internally frozen. As already mentioned, could be way overcharged. If the A6 is shot, and not caring about originality, brobably go with a more modern replacement. A6's are real leakers, and really sap the hp.
