CHATROOM: A/C Compressor's Clutch & Pulley & Electromagnetic Coil

[Hugo L.]

My AC stopped working, and the trouble is the compressor not engaging.

So the culprit is the clutch pulley thing, which can be bought separately from the whole compressor itself.

The trouble is, the shop can only find it at Nissan dealerships, and with labor it costs 900$ to fix (if I had to change the whole compressor, it would be like 1200$).

Anyway, the part itself can be had for around 300$ in the US (I'm in Canada), so I'd order it, and tackle this myself if it's possible.

Has anyone tried this? I'm trying NOT to remove the compressor from the vehicle, as you need a) to flush the system and recuperate the refrigerant) and b) you have to remove the alternator to remove the compressor - no way!

Basically if I could just remove the belt, remove the clutch pulley assembly with the compressor on the car and call it a day, I'd be a happy man.

[TaiLuu]

It is possible to change the Clutch without removing the compressor, but I wouldn't call it a day probably a few days. It would be a B$#@$ to get too. You also need to proper tools to do this job. It would honestly be easier from my hands to change the compressor rather than changing the clutch, because I could borrow the refrigerant machine from my buddy.

[TrevorK]

I am assuming this is what you're looking for:



You can decide how easy or hard it is based on your skills and the room available. I'm sure for each person that says "Oh yeah it's easy" you'll find another that says "Oh no it's hard".

When I personally read the instructions I do not see any reason to take the compressor off the car (which is what you're wanting to avoid). While obviously the easiest way it doesn't mean it's the only way.

[Hugo L.]

Thanks a lot for the replies. It does seem like you either need a press, or enough room to hammer the clutch into place, both of which are a problem. Crap...

[caleb1517]

I have a 2009 Nissan Rogue AWD and have a new clutch magnet, which by the way was only $57.00 on line from eBay. Before I start the replacement job, my question is, does the 2009 AC clutch have a pressed fit pulley or is it a bolt on? The only video I have seen was for an Altima and it came off easily. Like the reply from Trevork, something tells me it won't be that simple.

[ImStricken06]

how do you know its the clutch? low freon will cause it not NOT engage as well.

[ImStricken06]

go ahead an add me to this list as well. (man this POS car is starting to add up!)

i cut the wire harness coming from the compressor(black & yellow wire, going up and over the alternator). i tested the wires, coming from the car, and and its sending 14volts (to the clutch). i then took and sent 12v TO the clutch, while the engine is on, and nothing. so obviously the clutch coil/magneto is burned out.

also, while driving, i felt the AC go out, and then started to smell a nasty burning smell. i am guessing thats the clutch coil. i will keep you guys up to date

[ImStricken06]

video going to be made

ordered a new, aftermarket, kit: clutch plate, pulley, and coil.

[ImStricken06]

got my new clutch, pulley, electromagnetic stator today: (pointing to what i think my failure is)


after removing the clutch, removing the pulley; here is the damage - as i expected & tested:


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKpN1zXWCq4[/youtube]

buy here: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200 ... =824&kw=lg

[Mr. Callaway]

Nice job replacing the clutch. I'm looking to do the same job. Just ordered the part from EBAY.
Any tips for removing the pulley? Getting it back on? Any special tools?
Did your clutch have shims?
Sorry for all the questions, any help appreciated.
Thanks again.
rob

[ImStricken06]

no problem at all.

i replaced the pulley too, so i didnt care about the old one. i simply tapped it with a breaker bar & hammer - while at an angle. it didnt damage it. some pulleys come right off - mine didnt. to get it back on, just take a rubber hammer and tap it. maybe even a piece of wood and a mallet will work too.

yes the new clutch came with shims. i ended up needed more shims than the old original did. weird. i will see how things go in the near future and see if i can take out one of the shims.(i guess as things age & break in)

any special tools? just whats pictured in the video i am about to produce. give me a day or two

[ImStricken06]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO2RuU86WSA[/youtube]

[Mr. Callaway]

Great video. Just what I was looking for.
Not sure if I'll get any shims with my ebay magnet? Might have to make some.

Thanks very much.
rob

[Mr. Callaway]

AC working again thanks to this thread. Dealer charged me $107 diagnostic fee to tell me my compressor was bad. Estimated $1100 for repair.
I just changed the coil ($59 ebay free shipping), and used the old clutch and pulley. So far it's working fine.
Did the repair on the car without removing the compressor. To get the pulley off I used the wooden handle of an old hockey stick. I removed the blade. From the top side of the engine compartment I angled the stick down to the pulley. I tapped (whacked) the stick with a baby sledge (3lb) as I had a helper rotate the pulley about a quarter turn between taps.
The $1040 dollars saved has already come in handy as I needed tires and an alignment.
thanks to all and good luck.
rob

[chipahoy]

that is true, but if that is the case, you would not have power to the magnetic clutch: the low pressure cut off switch would interrupt the power to the compressor. if you have power to the clutch, its not low Freon.

[chipahoy]

that's a great video, but missing is the part how to remove the clutch and pulley from the compressor on the car....

[chipahoy]

how did you loosen the 10mm bolt holding the pulley/clutch assembly on the compressor shaft?

[chipahoy]

how did you get the 10mm bolt off?

AC working again thanks to this thread. Dealer charged me $107 diagnostic fee to tell me my compressor was bad. Estimated $1100 for repair.
I just changed the coil ($59 ebay free shipping), and used the old clutch and pulley. So far it's working fine.
Did the repair on the car without removing the compressor. To get the pulley off I used the wooden handle of an old hockey stick. I removed the blade. From the top side of the engine compartment I angled the stick down to the pulley. I tapped (whacked) the stick with a baby sledge (3lb) as I had a helper rotate the pulley about a quarter turn between taps.
The $1040 dollars saved has already come in handy as I needed tires and an alignment.
thanks to all and good luck.
rob

[ImStricken06]

how did you loosen the 10mm bolt holding the pulley/clutch assembly on the compressor shaft?

i have an impact. sometimes using a ratchet, will just cause the pulley to spin. take a flat-head screwdriver and wedge it; to stop the clutch from spinning.

[Mr. Callaway]

[quote="chipahoy"]how did you get the 10mm bolt off?

Don't loosen the belt until you loosen the bolt. Mine came off pretty easily with a socket. I just held the pulley with my hand.
It was harder to get the clutch and pulley off.
I had to pry around the clutch to get it off. I used a large screwdriver and a bicycle tire tool. The clutch has splines that fit onto the compressor shaft. Keep working around it will eventually come off.
Don't forget to remove the clip holding the pulley on.
I tried prying the pulley off with the tire tool, then I tried a puller but there was not enough room for the one I have.
I was able to get the pulley off by tapping the back side of the pulley with a wooden hockey stick handle from under the hood area.
good luck to all
rob

[ImStricken06]

how did you get the 10mm bolt off?

Don't loosen the belt until you loosen the bolt. Mine came off pretty easily with a socket. I just held the pulley with my hand.
It was harder to get the clutch and pulley off.
I had to pry around the clutch to get it off. I used a large screwdriver and a bicycle tire tool. The clutch has splines that fit onto the compressor shaft. Keep working around it will eventually come off.
Don't forget to remove the clip holding the pulley on.
I tried prying the pulley off with the tire tool, then I tried a puller but there was not enough room for the one I have.
I was able to get the pulley off by tapping the back side of the pulley with a wooden hockey stick handle from under the hood area.
good luck to all
rob

did you finish it?
(great tips by the way)

[Mr. Callaway]

Yeah, got it done, working well so far.
Thanks again for the video.
This is turning out to be a great forum.
rob

[chipahoy]

thanks, i will try that next weekend. also thought about using an oil filter wrench to hold the pulley....will post results asap.

how did you loosen the 10mm bolt holding the pulley/clutch assembly on the compressor shaft?

i have an impact. sometimes using a ratchet, will just cause the pulley to spin. take a flat-head screwdriver and wedge it; to stop the clutch from spinning.

[struckus]

Hey guys. Trying to fix my AC compressor. The clutch coil is gone and I ordered a new one to get my AC working again. Well I should have gotten the bearing also. Want to source it locally and need a bearing number. All I can come up with that might fit is NSK 35BD219DUM A/C . That seems likely that it is the OEM compressor bearing. Can anyone confirm or provide me with the actual bearing number? Many thanks for the help!

Car is a 2009 Nissan Rogue AWD if that matters.

[ImStricken06]

the bearing is press-fit. its not replaceable.

what you need is a new clutch coil. the bearing is pressed into the pulley itself. i am merging this thread with an already open one.

[struckus]

the bearing is press-fit. its not replaceable.

what you need is a new clutch coil. the bearing is pressed into the pulley itself. i am merging this thread with an already open one.

if it's pressed in it will be able to be pressed out and a new one pressed in..I've confirmed the bearing number is the NSK that was in my post above..doing it this weekend along with a clutch coil..i'll report back after I do it up..

[ImStricken06]

if it's pressed in it will be able to be pressed out and a new one pressed in

but why? either reuse your original pulley(unless the bearing is bad) or simply spend $50 on a full replace kit (pulley complete with new bearing, coil, retainer ring, wiring, etc).

[struckus]

if it's pressed in it will be able to be pressed out and a new one pressed in

but why? either reuse your original pulley(unless the bearing is bad) or simply spend $50 on a full replace kit (pulley complete with new bearing, coil, retainer ring, wiring, etc).

My bearing wasn't giving me any issues until the coil was on its way in the mail.. Then it started making noise and have movement.. Made plans to fix the compressor this weekend with my mechanic friend.. So needed a bearing asap.. In the future ill buy the whole deal but at the time the bearing wasn't a problem..

[struckus]

bearing and pulley is serviceable..the bearing that I ordered was correct..there were gussets on the side but with a press they flattened out as it was pressed..put the gussets back in with a hammer and screwdriver..bearing and coil were in rough shape lol, but AC is back on and all is well..awesome time doing it too..

[ImStricken06]

bearing and pulley is serviceable..the bearing that I ordered was correct..there were gussets on the side but with a press they flattened out as it was pressed..put the gussets back in with a hammer and screwdriver..bearing and coil were in rough shape lol, but AC is back on and all is well..awesome time doing it too..

hats off to you guy! damn good job. i dont have the patience to push/pull bearings out lol. i just replace what the press-fit bearings are in.
good work mate! glad your problem is fixed. did you change the belt, while you were in there? (my belt went bad, about 1,000 mile prior to the a/c magnet. so i had to remove a belt twice in one month lol)