On my '91, the A/C compressor made a whistling/whirring noise for about 5 seconds and then stopped working. It makes a stinky smell when you try to run it.

Relay works (fan turns on). Compressor pulley spins/belt is okay.

I'm thinking it's the a/c clutch, or the compressor, or both.

Any thoughts here?


Thanks, Russ

 

a/c comp. clutch relay.
hot wire from your bat. to your comp.
if it works it is your relay or switch

 

Sounds like you fried the compressor clutch. Is the clutch still engaging on the compressor when you have the car running and the a/c on? If it isn't or if it slips just replace the compressor.

 

That's what I'm thinking...the smell must be from slippage of the a/c clutch. There's still freon in the system, so I think the compressor itself is ok.

The compressor is around $300, so the clutch has to be cheaper (I hope).

 

there is another tension pulley in that loop, the bearings in mine froze a few years ago, the a/c stopped working and I got a similar smell - I would double check that pulley before investing in a new compressor