AC Issue / Compressor - vid included

[myexcursion]

Not my Wrangler, but my 05 Jeep GC .... Maybe someone here has a thought on if this is the Compressor seized or just the clutch pulley/coil ...

My son called me last night that the Jeep started smoking badly and had to pull over. I met up with him and looked like it was coming from the AC Compressor/Clutch Assembly. Drove it back home with the AC off and no issues. I made a quick video unplugging the compressor connector and trying to see if it's a clutch assembly seizure or the actual compressor seized... thoughts ? Best next steps ? In the meantime - I left the connector unplugged and so the clutch doesn't engage - is that ok to use the car for now ?

Appreciate any help ...

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[DaltonGang]

Leave it unplugged, and get a new compressor. Compressors are cheap and easy to replace. A burned out Jeep is more expensive.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Not my Wrangler, but my 05 Jeep GC .... Maybe someone here has a thought on if this is the Compressor seized or just the clutch pulley/coil ...

My son called me last night that the Jeep started smoking badly and had to pull over. I met up with him and looked like it was coming from the AC Compressor/Clutch Assembly. Drove it back home with the AC off and no issues. I made a quick video unplugging the compressor connector and trying to see if it's a clutch assembly seizure or the actual compressor seized... thoughts ? Best next steps ? In the meantime - I left the connector unplugged and so the clutch doesn't engage - is that ok to use the car for now ?

Appreciate any help ...

Try to turn it by hand. It should have some resistance but still turn.

If it's extremely difficult to turn or just not able to turn it, it's likely internally coming apart. If it's not rotating, it will likely have scattered it's wear debris throughout the system (A.K.A. "black death"). You'll see black oil and maybe even some metal in the oil. Black death requires you to replace various parts of the system, like the condenser, dryer, compressor and flush all the remaining components to get the debris out.

 

[myexcursion]

Thanks guys ! It rotates a bit if you rock it back and forth it'll move a few inches at a time... Seems to rotate counterclockwise ( opposite direction of the arrows on the plate ) much easier than clockwise. Would think the compressor is going to have to be changed at some point if going to want AC to work ... ugh... too bad can't do it in driveway bc of the refrigerant and having to refill etc... Will have to go to local indy and see what they say. appreciate everyone's input !

 

[Carolina Jeeper]

If the compressor was locked up and the clutch engages, the belt will slip or the clutch will smoke. One or the other will happen.

If the clutch is worn out, then you can see what is in this video. Just a slight rotation. You should be able to turn the compressor with your hand if it's not locked up.

In my personal opinion, if it's an older compressor, just go ahead and do it right and replace the compressor, get the system flushed out, vacuum tested and recharged.

During summer months, I used to replace these compressors daily on commercial trucks. Clutches would wear out and do this almost the exact thing in the video. We never replaced just clutches on trucks that ran interstate trips. It would end up being a failed compressor soon after.

 

[myexcursion]

Great. Info and advice … will try getting the jeep to a shop this week for an estimate. Thanks !!

 

[DaltonGang]

Something to think about.
The new Wranglers use different freon, it is called 1234yf, and it is stupid expensive.
Since you are going to get a new compressor, just switch over to 134a, it will work in our system. You will need new connection adaptors, because all the 1234yf connections are threaded opposite. There are some discussions on this conversion. I plan on doing this when mine finally gives out. It's been doing the death hiss for a while.

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