How Do You Troubleshoot An Air Compressor?
The air compressor is actuated through the use of an electromagnetic clutch mechanism on the front of the clutch. The clutch is in the center of the pulley. The pulley rides on ball bearings around the outside of the compressor and has a smooth flat side facing forward. The clutch is attached to the input shaft of the compressor. When power is applied to it, it becomes a magnet and is attracted to the pulley surface, which rotates the clutch and the compressor shaft. Start the vehicle and turn the air conditioning on. If there is a scraping, tinny sound just when the compressor is turned on and goes away as soon as it is turned off, only the clutch needs to be replaced (as long as the compressor is still good in the subsequent tests). The clutch can be replaced without discharging the air conditioning system (if it is accessible). Just remove the belt and leave the compressor mounted to the engine. Check the clutch operation if it does not come on. Apply power directly to the wire on t
