My A/C was working when I bought the car last winter, but hasn't worked for me yet this summer. I've done some troubleshooting and determined that the compressor clutch is most likely bad. When hotwired from the battery to the compressor the clutch won't engage.

I'm looking for the cheapest way possible to do this, so I'm going to try and use a Pull-A-Part type place. I can get a compressor for 20 dollars or a clutch for about 13. I'd like to just get the clutch because it's cheaper and I won't have to evacuate my system in order to do it (I don't have an A/C service unit at home, or easy access to one).

The only problem is I don't have a manual that tells me how to remove the clutch on this car. I've searched google for a while and come up empty. Does anyone know how this specific clutch comes off? Do I need a compressor clutch puller tool, or can it be done with normal tools? If I do need the special tool, is it a standard model, or something special? I'm not even sure the make/model of the compressor, all I can read is Volvo on it. I'm assuming it's either Bosch or something Japanese.

Any help you can give me, especially detailed instructions and required tools, would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to be able to go to the Pull-A-Part place prepared with the knowledge and right tools to do the work.

Thanks,
Kai

Hi,

The fault can be the clutch electromagnet, so first check it for connectivity.
Maybe you will only need to reshim the clutch.

You need some kind of special tool to do the work, but it can be done using a screwdriver as this post shows:

http://www.volvo-forums.com/t9100-reshimmi...ssor-clutch.htm

It doesn't even click when I hotwire it. It should click and move some distance (as far as I know), but it doesn't do anything when hot wired even. That's why I suspect the electromagnet, which is built into the clutch portion and not the compressor, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm currently looking for an auto parts store that rents specialty tools, and then I'm going to try and find somewhere I can get my car up in the air (we sold all our jacks and jack stands when we moved to a smaller place, unfortunately for me).

I've tracked down a Pull-A-Part place that sells clutches for $11, if I can find a car that has a compressor on it still.

Thanks for the reply,
Kai

Went to the Pull-A-Part today. I took an A/C clutch puller with me that I borrowed (loaner specialty tool program) from the auto parts store. Found a car with the same compressor on it out in the yard, and worked on getting the clutch off.

I was able to get the center bolt out, took the first part of the clutch off (the part that has the big circles and the 3 ovals cut out of it. I then put my puller on, with the grabbers around the front pulley, and the middle tightening pusher bolt centered on the shaft of the compressor (the splined thing in the middle). I tightened it, just ground metal off the shaft. So I thought I might be doing it wrong, tried some other things, nothing else worked. Tried prying between the compressor and the pulley with a screwdriver, couldn't get any movement.

So I ended up giving up on it for the moment. I'm not sure if it was rusted on because the car had been sitting out in the junkyard, or what. I'm gonna have my dad (retired diesel mechanic) go out and take a look at it with me. Not sure if I need another tool, or what I was doing wrong.

Any of this sound familiar? What am I doing wrong?

Shouldn't the pulleys just pull off once I get the middle bolt out and the outer piece off?

Thanks,
Kai

Hi,

This can solve your mystery, it is a Jaguar AC clutch removal but I guess all AC clutchs are built the same.

http://bernardembden.com/xjs/comclutch/index.htm

Well, I got the clutch off of the one at the junkyard, as well as getting it onto my car. For anyone interested, you take off the allen bolt on the front to get off the front part. Then take off the first snap ring and take off the pulley. Then take off the second snap ring and take off the magnet. That's all there is to it. Tools you need are snap ring pliers (straight if possible, curved is hard to reach), the holder for the front that has the 3 things on it (i didn't need this, but if your bolt is tight you might). You'll also need either the clutch puller tool or a couple pry bars (screwdrivers could work too).

The snap rings are tough to get off and on. I would recommend taking the alternator loose and moving it out of the way and taking the compressor loose and turning it so that it's facing up towards you. This way you can see what you're doing and aren't working using a mirror and snap ring pliers (very difficult).

You don't need any of those special installation or removal tools, those are for GM style generally.

On another note, it wasn't my clutch at all that was the problem. When we were diagnosing the problem we tested for continuity and for a good ground. We got a ground. But while my dad was working on it (I was at work) he realized that the compressor is only mounted to the engine through bushings. It didn't have a good ground. We found a ground somewhere when testing, but it wasn't actually good enough to carry any current.

My dad made up a ground strap for the compressor, and suddenly it was all working just fine. Lots of wasted time, but I guess it's good that it works. Plus I've got an extra compressor clutch now, lol.

Hope this can help someone.