Cost To Install Ac Compressor Car' title='Cost To Install Ac Compressor Car' />AC Compressor Clutch Diagnosis Repair. AC Compressor Operation. There are several different compressor designs, but all perform the same function they move, or pump the refrigerant throughout the system, and they compress the low pressure vaporized refrigerant into a high pressure vapor. Compressors may be of a piston, rotary vane or scroll design. Piston style compressors are the most popular, and are either in line, V type, radial, axial or wobble plate. The most modern compressors are of a multi piston design, ranging anywhere from 4 to 1. Some compressors change displacement while operating, and have an effect on refrigerant flow in the system. Most modern compressors have a clutch and drive pulley. The pulley is belt driven by one or two V belts directly from the engines crankshaft or by a multi ribbed V belt or serpentine belt. The pulley turns whenever the engine is running, although the compressor clutch is not engaged when the air conditioning is turned off. Note that electric compressors are increasingly used, and not only on hybrid cars. Top 10 Best Portable 12v Air Compressor Reviews. No matter what type of air compressing problems you have, a 12v air compressor can take care of most of those. Comparison of 2017 Central Air Conditioner Prices by Brands, Units, Sizes, Repair Costs, Installation, and High Efficiency Central AC Systems. Cost To Install Ac Compressor Car' title='Cost To Install Ac Compressor Car' />Some electric compressors are belt driven as well Read up on the specific system on any vehicle youre not familiar with before beginning service. These compressors are powered by extremely high voltage, and improper service techniques can result in personal injury. Special oils are used to keep the internal windings from shorting to the compressor case, and even small contamination with PAG left over in your service equipment is enough to cause total system failure. Only service equipment approved for hybridelectric compressor service should be used. Compressor Protection Devices. The price of air conditioning repairs varies by unit, but fortunately, the average AC repair cost is less than 300, even with an HVAC contractor. How does my Mazda 3 AC compressor work If you think of your Mazda 3 AC compressor as the beating heart of your cars air conditioning system, youre not far off. Get the AC parts like AC Compressor, AC Condenser, AC Evaporator and more parts at wholesale prices with the full warranty for all the variety of model cars at. High Pressure Cutout Switch. When certain malfunctions occur, high side pressures could exceed the safe operating limits of the compressor, hoses, or other components. To prevent this from happening, many systems are equipped with high pressure cutout switches. These switches open the clutch circuit in the event that pressures become excessive. This function shuts down the compressor and stops the pressure from climbing higher. This serves two purposes it protects the compressor from damage, and prevents venting of refrigerant through the pressure relief device if equipped. Once repairs are made, the switch will allow normal clutch engagement. High pressure conditions can indicate failures such as a damaged compressor, refrigerant overcharge, condenser restriction, stuck open expansion valve, clogged orifice tube or receiverdrier. Low Pressure Cutout Switch. Some vehicles are equipped with low pressure cutout switches. The purpose of this switch is also compressor protection. The compressor clutch circuit is opened if the pressure in the system drops too low. This would be an indication that the system has lost some or all of its refrigerant charge. Since the lubricating oil is carried by the refrigerant, a loss could cause damage to the compressor if it were allowed to operate without sufficient lubrication. Low pressure conditions can indicate failures such as a clogged orifice tube, low refrigerant charge, expansion valve stuck closed, or a restriction in the high side of the AC system. Ambient Temperature Switch. In non automatic temperature control systems ATC, the function of the ambient temperature switch is to inhibit compressor clutch operation in cold ambient temperatures. This sensor opens the electrical path to the compressor clutch when the temperature is below a specified range. This function mainly protects the compressor from poor or no lubrication, which could be the result of cold refrigerant oil. Electronic Compressor Controls. Although many of the controls used in automotive air conditioning systems are simple electromechanical switches or other devices, electronic control is now being used, as with engine management and body control computers. Compressor clutch engagement can be determined by the computer when conditions like engine coolant temperature, ambient temperature, throttle position, engine load, etc. Sensors report on these conditions to the electronic control module ECM, and the ECM processes this information. If conditions are right, the ECM sends a command to engage the compressor clutch. Conversely, when a problem is detected where conditions are not optimum, the compressor is disengaged by the ECM. Some of the most common sensors that computers use to help them make clutch operation decisions are Engine Coolant and Ambient Temperature Sensors. These sensors are thermistors, which are resistors whose values change with temperature. Under cold or hot engine, or cold ambient temperature conditions, compressor clutch engagement may not be desirable. Wide Open Throttle Switch. Some vehicles with smaller engines are equipped with a Wide Open Throttle WOT switch. When the accelerator pedal is pressed all the way to the floor, this switch opens the electrical circuit to the compressor clutch to temporarily disable the compressor. This eliminates the load it places on the engine, as it is most often assumed that the pedal on the floor means it is more important to go fast at that moment than to remain cool inside the car. When the accelerator is released from the floor, the compressor clutch will re enable the compressor. Throttle Position Sensor. The throttle position sensor reports to the engine management computer on engine demand conditions. It works in a capacity like that of the wide open throttle switch. Manifold Absolute Pressure MAP And Mass Airflow MAF Sensors. These are engine load sensors. The computer may decide to prevent clutch operation under conditions of high engine load. Power Steering Pressure Switch. This switch is installed in the power steering system and reports on high pressure conditions. High pressure means that there is a load being placed on the engine by the power steering pump. The computer may decide to temporarily shut down the compressor to prevent engine stalling or low idle speed. Morgan Man Voice Simulator Programs. It could also raise idle speed through control of an idle speed control device. Drive Belts, Pulleys And Tensioners. Squealing noises from the engine compartment that increase in frequency as the engine rpm is raised, or when the AC compressor is engaged, can usually be attributed to loose belts. In addition, pulley misalignment can cause the belt to enter the compressor pulley on an angle, also causing noise. Check the compressor belts for wear and proper adjustment. If replacement is necessary, loosen the belt tensioner or compressor pivot, move the tensioner or compressor to eliminate belt tension, and remove the belt. Never pry the belt from its pulley. It may be necessary to remove other accessory drive belts to gain access to the compressor belt. Before removing a serpentine V ribbed belt, make sure there is a belt routing diagram handy or draw one prior to belt removal, to prevent installation problems. Use a socket or wrench to tilt the automatic tensioner away from the belt, and then remove the belt from the pulleys. Intuit Quicken Home Inventory. After the belt is removed, spin the pulley to determine if it wobbles or has any noticeable bearing wear. Inspect the pulleys for chips, nicks, cracks, tool marks, bent sidewalls, severe corrosion or other damage. Check for hard objects such as small stones or sand that may become imbedded in the bottom of the pulley grooves. When replacing belts, inspect the AC compressor and its corresponding pulleys for improper alignment. Aligned pulleys reduce both pulley and belt wear, and vibration of engine components. If the belt pulleys are severely misaligned, look for improper positioning of the AC compressor or its corresponding pulley, improper fit of the pulley or shaft, or incorrect components installed. Install a new belt by correctly positioning it in its pulley grooves. Using the proper tools, move the compressor to tighten the belt, or in the case of automatically tensioned drives, move the tensioner to a position where the belt can be installed onto the pulleys.