Can you just replace the clutch on the AC compressor or do you have to replace the whole thing?

AC compressor pully is froze up, can we just replace the clutch on it? I don't care if the AC works I just want the pully to turn so it will run

My car has 124000 miles.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Yes you can just replace the clutch pulley on the a/c compressor. The issue that you may have is the pulley bearing seized up and may have spun on the front of the compressor nose cone and will damage it. You may not be able to get the old pulley off and if you do the new one will not seat and hold on the front of compressor and will wobble throwing off belt. Have the pulley removed and then see the front of the compressor the shape it is in. You may need to replace compressor.

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You can buy a standalone clutch, of course—it`s usually about half the price of a compressor, or thereabouts—but unless you`re on a really tight budget, we recommend buying the compressor and clutch together and just replacing the whole unit at once. It might save you some money and headaches down the road.
If the compressor is not still under warranty, you may still choose to replace it. However, you should probably opt to replace the entire outdoor unit at the same time. In most cases, this will cost only marginally more than replacing an out-of-warranty compressor alone.
You will be fine as long as you don`t need or want AC in your car. Your AC pulley is a free spinning pulley that has a clutch on it. It will spin freely until you turn the air conditioning on. If the clutch doesn`t work properly, you will still be able to drive your car.
You`ll get the most value from a new unit, thanks to its longer life span and quality components. A new air compressor is cost-effective because it will have better energy efficiency, and you likely won`t need to replace or repair components right away.
Repair vs.

The conversation usually concerns whether to repair the system by replacing the compressor or the entire AC unit. A new central AC system costs between $3,250 and $12,586, whereas it costs $2,500–$3,000 to replace your compressor.

Compressors and condensers are often replaced simultaneously, mostly because compressor failures can leave behind debris that the condenser collects. If this debris isn`t 100% removed, it will cause the new compressor to fail as well.
An AC compressor is responsible for pumping refrigerant through the AC unit. Your air conditioning will not work without a good compressor. Running an AC unit with a bad compressor in Irving Texas can cause more problems for the unit.
Yes, this is possible. However, unless it was the AC compressor clutch and pulley which failed, bypassing the AC pulley is unnecessary. Simply disconnect the wire to the AC compressor clutch and that should do the trick.
Yes, you should usually be able to rotate a car`s air conditioner compressor clutch by hand. It won`t spin around at the daintiest touch of a finger—you may need to put a modest amount of effort into it—but it should be spinning.
The AC compressor has a clutch that is connected to the engine by a belt and pulley, and it can provide problems, too. By having a clutch, the compressor can cycle on and off rather than being in use all the time you are underway.
Listen For The A/C Clutch to Engage

If the Freon levels are too low, the clutch will fail to engage which means there`s not enough refrigerant for the compressor to pressurize. In other words, your air conditioning system has nothing to work with!

Absolutely, a bad one can damage your air conditioning system, as it acts as a heat exchanger for the air conditioning unit. The engine fan keeps the condenser cool which helps to keep the convertible`s AC system running smoothly.
The short answer is that your AC compressor and refrigerant should last about 12-15 years. Learning what crucial components, and how to maintain the compressor, can keep your AC running efficiently for its entire lifespan.
Compressors generally last the lifetime of a car, or approximately 12 to 15+ years depending on how well the car is looked after. In saying that, it`s important that you regularly check up on and service your car to prevent premature failure.
For the compressor that is seized, you will at the very least need to replace the compressor assembly and clutch, receiver drier, expansion valve, and flush out the system. I recommend having a mechanic diagnose your vehicle to see if any other components need replaced in order to fix your air conditioner.
The AC compressor has a clutch that is connected to the engine by a belt and pulley, and it can provide problems, too. By having a clutch, the compressor can cycle on and off rather than being in use all the time you are underway.
For the compressor that is seized, you will at the very least need to replace the compressor assembly and clutch, receiver drier, expansion valve, and flush out the system. I recommend having a mechanic diagnose your vehicle to see if any other components need replaced in order to fix your air conditioner.
Compressors and condensers are often replaced simultaneously, mostly because compressor failures can leave behind debris that the condenser collects. If this debris isn`t 100% removed, it will cause the new compressor to fail as well.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

What would cause the clutch on an ac compressor to continue to go bad after being replaced three times?
ANSWER : The compressor clutch relay on these vehicles are a known cause of sticking on the compressor clutch and overheating the A/C compressor clutch coil. Replace the A/C relay to see if it cures the clutch going bad the next time you do a compressor clutch replacement, or replace it now if you have just replaced the clutch.

2006. Chrysler 300c ac on and making a squeaking sound and the clutch is not engaging fully.
ANSWER : The A/C compressor clutch on this vehicle can be removed without taking the compressor out or disturbing the refrigerant charge. To determine whether it is necessary to replace the compressor, once you get the clutch out if the friction friction material surfaces are oily, inspect the shaft and nose area of the A/C compressor for refrigerant oil. If refrigerant oil is found, the compressor shaft seal is leaking and the A/C compressor must be rebuilt or replaced (they are rebuildable; you can just put a new shaft seal in). Check the clutch pulley bearing for roughness or excessive leakage of grease. Replace the pulley and bearing assembly, if required. You might check the clutch relay, just in case it is intermittent, thus causing your problem. If you desire that a certified mechanic resolve the issue that you are having with the clutch/compressor, please simply request an a/c clutch compressor diagnostic/replacement and the responding mechanic will get it diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.

Can you just replace the clutch on the AC compressor or do you have to replace the whole thing?
ANSWER : Yes you can just replace the clutch pulley on the a/c compressor. The issue that you may have is the pulley bearing seized up and may have spun on the front of the compressor nose cone and will damage it. You may not be able to get the old pulley off and if you do the new one will not seat and hold on the front of compressor and will wobble throwing off belt. Have the pulley removed and then see the front of the compressor the shape it is in. You may need to replace compressor.

When replacing the AC Compressor, do I need to replace both expansion valves as well or just the front
ANSWER : Hi there. Anytime you replace major air conditioning system components like the AC compressor, it’s recommended to purchase all supporting hardware and replace it at the same time. AC works as a series of individual components working efficiently together to create cool air that flows into your cabin. As such, if you’re replacing the front expansion valve, it’s a good idea to replace the rear at the same time. This increases overall efficiency of the system, reduces the potential of small component failure and allows the parts you replaced to last longer.

The clutch on my ac air compressor went out. I want to replace the whole air compressor. What would it costs?
ANSWER : Hi there. The AC compressor has several moving parts (including pistons and valves). These internal parts can fail, causing the AC compressor to stop working. It is common for the internal parts of the compressor to come apart and disperse metallic debris throughout the system. Consequently, it is a requirement to replace the orifice tube and the receiver dryer when replacing the compressor since some of the debris may have ended up there. To receive an estimate for this service, please click this link and then click the Get a Quote button. Once we receive your information we will provide an estimate for services. Thanks.

Ac compressor
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like you may have one or two concerns here. Does the AC indicator light up when you turn it on? If so, this means that the command for AC is active. If the light flashes, this means the module is telling us that the compressor is not turning. If the light does not turn on, there may be no signal to the clutch. The system does not hold much oil and you may not have seen much come out of the compressor. Inspect any oil that has come out for metal specks or a greyish color; this would indicate compressor failure and now there is metal throughout the system. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician inspect the system, both mechanically and electrically to determine the root cause/causes of your concern. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with an ac system inspection and provide an estimate and direction of repair.

Can I just replace the ac clutch or bypass the ac altogether?
ANSWER : Hi There,
No, generally the AC clutch spins with the AC compressor. As you may know the AC Clutch is the pulley that spins with the Belt. There are two ports on the rear of the Compressor. One is a Suction Port and the other is the Discharge Port. The Suction port is going to be your larger port and the Discharge port is going to be the smaller port. Refrigerant is sucked into the Suction port, compressed and then it exits out the Discharge Port, then entering the A/C Condenser. Your vehicle’s AC Clutch consists of the Hub, the Pulley, and the coil. The front part of the A/C Clutch is the Hub. Next is the pulley, which is where the belt rides. Finally, under the pulley is the coil, also called a field coil. The Coil is a copper would wire, that functions like a magnetic coil. If the AC Compressor is powered up, electricity engages the coil, and when this happens, it also engages the pulley. The large magnet forces the hub to pull against the pulley. Since the Shaft of the AC Compressor is mated with the A/C Hub, once engaged, it begins to pump refrigerant in the system. Turning whenever the engine is cranked, the A/C Compressor Clutch Pulley will spin even if the AC Compressor is off. If the A/C System is turned on, power is sent to your A/C Compressor Clutch and it will then engage. However, if the pressure in the system (or the refrigerant level) is either too low or high, switches will kill power to the Compressor to keep from damaging it. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.

how much would it cost to replace a ac compressor cutch and all the things involved?
ANSWER : Hi there:

This issue is sometimes associated with having an AC compressor failure, however, it could also be an indication of mold developing inside your AC system. To be certain, you should have a professional mechanic complete an AC system inspection first before you decide to replace the compressor or other components.