Air Compressor Clicks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Air Compressor Clicks
The air compressor on my 1989 has a noticeable click. I rarely drive with the A/C on, however, I always turn it on when I drive the car briefly so that the compressor will not lock up. (My care is a weekend toy). When the compressor is turned on the is a click and the engine idle changes by a few hundred rpm's corresponding to the click. I discovered that the pulley is popping out, which I am guessing is the clutch engaging, then popping back in. That solves the mystery of the idle as well as the noise. I'm wondering if I simply have a bad clutch or if the compressor might be locking up. The pulley on the compressor can easily be spun when the motor is not running and I hear no noise when I do so.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
When the AC is OFF the outside of the pulley turns with the rest of the belt and pulleys and the inside part is DIS-connected to the compressor so it does NOT turn.That's normal. When the AC is turned ON, the clutch engages with the inside of the pulley and the whole thing turns as a unit, and the freon or 134-a coolant is compressed and flows through the AC cooling system. It should stay engaged for about a minute and then cycle on and off every minute or two depending on your temp cool setting.
BUT: If when you turn it ON and it clicks on and off rapidly, like every 2 or 3 seconds, that is usually a sign of a low charge and you should have your AC lines checked for a leak and recharged.
BUT: If when you turn it ON and it clicks on and off rapidly, like every 2 or 3 seconds, that is usually a sign of a low charge and you should have your AC lines checked for a leak and recharged.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
When the AC is OFF the outside of the pulley turns with the rest of the belt and pulleys and the inside part is DIS-connected to the compressor so it does NOT turn.That's normal. When the AC is turned ON, the clutch engages with the inside of the pulley and the whole thing turns as a unit, and the freon or 134-a coolant is compressed and flows through the AC cooling system. It should stay engaged for about a minute and then cycle on and off every minute or two depending on your temp cool setting.
BUT: If when you turn it ON and it clicks on and off rapidly, like every 2 or 3 seconds, that is usually a sign of a low charge and you should have your AC lines checked for a leak and recharged.
BUT: If when you turn it ON and it clicks on and off rapidly, like every 2 or 3 seconds, that is usually a sign of a low charge and you should have your AC lines checked for a leak and recharged.
