bggrnchvy
10-23-2006, 06:08 PM
Well I finally get the truck running a few weeks ago and the alternator had died for some reason, fixed that only to find my brand new PSC ram leaked like an Lybian sub, finally got the new ram in Sat, all is well.
Fast forward to going to class before work this morning and I hear a noise at idle(600rpms) that goes away if I shift into nuetral(850rpms). I suspect the steering pump may be cavitating for some reason but then I smell a mild burning.
I pull into a parking lot, pop the hood and my AC clutch is smoking a decent amount, I mean this thing is very very hot. I run into the Subway I happen to be infront of and get a cup of cold water and slowly pour it on the belt to keep the belt from melting. After a bit it cools down and I try again, only this time with the HVAC system turned off and not set on defrost(which it was previously). There is a noise, but its not continous like a bad bearing, its consistant with RPM. I drive it home with the AC turned off and the noise is annoying but by the time I get home(same distance as before, just reversed) the clutch is barely warm to the touch.
Quick back story: The AC has been inoperative for some reason for about 1.5 years. If I have the AC set to on and check under the hood, the clutch would spin, then stop, spin then stop, every couple of seconds. It emited no noise, and since I never really used it I just never bothered fixing it. Why I had the defrost on this morning you ask, basically because my dumbass forgot the AC doesn't work.
So the question is what is the most likely culprit here? Clutch? Compressor? Any thoughts other than just pull the unit and replace both for $250-400 would be appreciated. Thats my last resort.
Fast forward to going to class before work this morning and I hear a noise at idle(600rpms) that goes away if I shift into nuetral(850rpms). I suspect the steering pump may be cavitating for some reason but then I smell a mild burning.
I pull into a parking lot, pop the hood and my AC clutch is smoking a decent amount, I mean this thing is very very hot. I run into the Subway I happen to be infront of and get a cup of cold water and slowly pour it on the belt to keep the belt from melting. After a bit it cools down and I try again, only this time with the HVAC system turned off and not set on defrost(which it was previously). There is a noise, but its not continous like a bad bearing, its consistant with RPM. I drive it home with the AC turned off and the noise is annoying but by the time I get home(same distance as before, just reversed) the clutch is barely warm to the touch.
Quick back story: The AC has been inoperative for some reason for about 1.5 years. If I have the AC set to on and check under the hood, the clutch would spin, then stop, spin then stop, every couple of seconds. It emited no noise, and since I never really used it I just never bothered fixing it. Why I had the defrost on this morning you ask, basically because my dumbass forgot the AC doesn't work.
So the question is what is the most likely culprit here? Clutch? Compressor? Any thoughts other than just pull the unit and replace both for $250-400 would be appreciated. Thats my last resort.