Looking for some AC advice/ info

Hello all, thanks for giving me your time. So some background: I’ve had my GS for about ten years and it has never had a belt on the AC compressor. I know from talking to the original owner that the AC stopped working at some point but he’s not the mechanic type so the information he gave was pretty limited.

So I have been troubleshooting the system to see if I can fix it. I have narrowed it down to one major issue, the compressor pulley will not turn by hand (hence the reason it has no belt, Likely). The clutch portion in front of the pulley will turn but the inner portion where the belt groove is will not turn. The thermal limiter is bad so I have it removed and when I jump the green wire (with the ac controls on) I hear a solenoid-like click... when this happens, the outer clutch portion will no longer move but also the belt groove portion still won’t. I am pretty certain that all of the internal electric components are operating as normal.

Could this be a pressure switch that not allowing the compressor pulley to turn? What are some issues you have seen that would cause this? I was pretty certain there was no Freon in the system but briefly depressing the shraeder valve at the rear of the compressor gave a hiss.

Also, I tested the superheat switch at the rear of the compressor and it is not grounded, which tells me it is open and good. I did this by checking for source voltage between the superheat terminal (part of thermal limit housing) and the middle green wire terminal that supplies source voltage.

This is the original R12 system that came with the car in 72.

Thanks

 

The more research I do the more I feel it is locked up. I have a second compressor from the 455 that I will test tomorrow to see if it is any different.

 

Locked up compressor/clutch is the major reason most people take off the belt. Otherwise it smokes and screams like a banshee.

 

Thanks guys, I wanted to make sure I wasn't leaving something out when I was considering what would keep it from moving. I tested every part of the system up to that point and it was the only thing that wasn't working the way I felt like it should.

Thanks again

 

Ryan,
This is VERY typical issue, I`ve repaired same many times...the pulley bearing is shot and locked up. You can replace the bearing only and test the compressor. My bet is, if your car doesnt have a ton of miles, your compressor is OK
Tom Mooney

 

Tom, I actually just pulled the compressor off tonight and noticed I could turn the clutch but the pulley is slightly cockeyed and won’t budge. When I turn the clutch I hear and feel compression at the back two inlets/outlets.... so the internals are moving and it’s likely salvageable. I’ll look more into this bearing ... my backup/replacement compressor has a slight drag sound to it when I turn the pulley so it may have a similar thing going on, thanks for the feedback.

 

Thanks guys. I have an extra compressor that I used. I will fix the bearing on the old one and hang onto it. Thanks a ton.