VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
trying to make sure the clutch on my compressor is working properly. playing with the switches in the dash doesnt do anything to it. i was wondering if there was a way to "jump" it and test it.
the system is void of freon. it has been for years. i understand internally the compressor may be shot, but ive got another one laying around if that is the case. i just need to make sure this one is functioning properly before i start my OBA build. jumping it for a few seconds to check that its sucking/pushing air shouldnt hurt it any.clutch coil is grounded to the compressor case, so all you've got to do is take the single wire that's plugged into the engine harness and apply 12+ volts. The coil should pull the clutch plates together and the compressor should turn.
don't leave it running for too long, though until you figure out why it's not engaging with the normal controls. If it's low on refrigerant, you can kill the compressor from oil starvation rather quickly.
N
is the reason its not working when i play the the AC switches in the dash because there is a safter switch or pressure switch of sorts somewhere that is keeping it from engaging?
On a late model, the low pressure switch is on the Accumulator (also called Receiver Drier), which is mounted right in front of the firewall.
![]()
On early models, the Accumulator is mounted below the compressor, and I don't recall if the low pressure switch is stuck to the top of it like the later models or if it's on the compressor itself. Been a while since i've done A/C work on an early model.
so i finally got around to this... lol.
while i was removing everything preparing for OBA i figured this was the switch but a paper clip yeilded no effect. should that simply do the trick or is there a proper way to jump it?
clutch coil is grounded to the compressor case, so all you've got to do is take the single wire that's plugged into the engine harness and apply 12+ volts. The coil should pull the clutch plates together and the compressor should turn.