| From | Message |
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
14:04:40
|
 Subject: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
I know it's winter but now that my heater core is clean and the cab is toasty it reminds me that I don't have any AC in the summer. The clutch doesn't engage the compressor anymore. Can I replace just the clutch or do I have to replace the whole compressor.....I had great cooling when it worked.... '97 3.9 V6 with 170K. Any suggestions would be great! Is this an easy job?
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
14:30:05
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
first off i'd find out why it's not engaging.
freon low? fuse? low press cutout switch?
the clutch may not be the culprit. they usually don't go bad.
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
14:53:52
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
The system is full and pressure is up per the guage. Originally, I thought it had lost it's charge but when I checked with the guage it was at the high end of the normal pressure range. I noticed that the clutch wasn't engaging....so I thought it might be that. What do I check first/next?
|
CampBell
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
14:55:26
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
i have a 90 Dakota and the same this happened but it was low on freon. you can check the clutch by running a power wire straight off the batter to the pos pin on the connector to the clutch. If it engages and start the clutch is alright.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
16:01:00
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
you can try that direct 12 volts to the clutch to see if it engages. i would try bypassing the lo-press cutoff switch. i have seen those go bad on other vehicles. check all A/C fuses and relays first though.
|
nub
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2005
22:42:29
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
im pretty sure cars down have freon anymore dont they use some new type of gas?
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/04/2005
08:36:18
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
it is still freon. instead of R-12 they now use R134a. both freon diff formulas.
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
08:45:49
|  RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
O.K.
After checking the fuses in the Power Distribution Center under the hood I moved to the switches....I bypassed the high and low pressure switches by disconnecting them and putting a piece of "jumper" wire into the connector. With the engine running I can remove the jumper from the switch connector and when I put it back in, the engine revs up a little. (I think the rev is to compensate for the clutch kicking in, but it doesn't) This happens on both the high and low side. Next, I diagnosed the relay in the PDC with the meter and it seems to be working properly. Next I jumped the Positive side of the battery directly to the AC Clutch and got nothing, not even a click.....does it sound like I did everything right? Any other suggestions or recommendations? Thanks for your help!
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
09:56:42
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
it seems like you got everything but checking the ground part of the circuit to the clutch. try ohming out the clutch. use a dvom and if it reads open it's definitely the clutch.
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
11:42:00
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks daddio, do you mean see if I have continuity from the two leads that come out of the clutch? I'm not to good with the meter.....
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
12:36:40
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
yeah, if you have no continuity, that colis gotta be bad. you should be able to change just that coil out. i have done it on a couple of other makes but not these. special tools can probably be rented froom A/Z. good luck
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
13:15:11
|  RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks daddio, I'll give it a try and let you know!
|
Dan M
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
13:54:12
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
It could very well be the clutch. Mine went last last fall in my '95. I replaced the whole compressor / clutch assembly. Picked up one from a salvage yard for cheap and was easy to install. Well worth me not having to waste time to pull the old one apart and replace the bad part/s. Alot of places will evac the system for free. Call around if you get someone who wants to charge. remanufactured ones are $250 and new ones around $350, for at least my truck.
- Dan M
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
14:36:21
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm searching for the coil now without much luck....maybe I'll do what you did but just replace the clutch so I don't have to discharge the system. My '97 has 170k on it....I'm hoping for at least another year out of it so a salvaged clutch just might be in order. Since all I'll need is my wrenches and my meter to check it. Besides, I live in RI, the summers are still bearable without A/C but it would be a "nice to have" option since it did work at one time. Thanks Again!
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
14:36:44
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
ABL, good news. in the '01 FSM it states that the a/c clutch & coil can be removed wothout discharging the system. so you won't have to worry about evacuating and re-charging.
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
14:40:40
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes, I read that in my Haynes book....I think I'm in pretty good shape! I just have to figure out if I need any special tools other than the snap ring pliers.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
15:12:26
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
it calls for a spanner wrench to hold the clutch assy while loosening the nut ans also a puller to pull the clutch off the shaft. it does look like you're on top of things. hope you don't have too much trouble with the unforeseen!
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2005
16:19:38
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
The unforeseen is my destiny....if it's there to find.....I'll find it!!! Thanks for the heads up....I'll see if Auto Zone has those tools to borrow. Then I'll be prepared.
Signing off till I get this thing fixed....I'll let you know how I make out!!!!
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/09/2005
07:44:30
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
daddio,
I did a quick continuity check last night on the two contacts that come out of the AC coil and I have continuity! You mentioned it earlier in one of your posts that if I didn't have continuity then the coil must be bad....now I'm wondering if it could be something else......Hmmmm.
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/09/2005
08:49:19
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
i'll email you something on testing the coil. it could be shorted. did you check ground? maybe try direct battery + & - to the coil.
|
ABL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/09/2005
12:34:01
| RE: A/C Clutch
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the info! I'll give it a shot!
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
