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.

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.

ANSWER : Within conventional throttle position sensors there are metal contacts that sweep across a printed resistor board. Repetitive motion and vehicle vibration can cause these contacts to wear, over time, eventually causing sensor malfunction. If you are sure that the TPS itself, and not something else such as a loose connector, has failed in other like "repetitive part failure" scenarios, the best thing to do is buy the OEM GM part from the dealer. You should test the TPS and replace if indicated. If you want these steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a TPS sensor diagnostic/inspection and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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.

ANSWER : Pulleys do go bad because the grease in the pulley bearing dries out, the ball bearings and bearing races get pitted and then the pulley becomes noisy. Sometimes, the pulley will actually seize. However, it will be EASILY evident if a pulley bearing is bad. So, all you need to do is have them PROVE the failure to you. If the pulley turns SMOOTHLY with no resistance and there is no noise, then there is nothing wrong with the pulley. Tensioners combine a pulley with a "tensioning" mechanism. If the pulley on the tensioner is good, to check the tensioning mechanism, just ask the shop personnel how many pounds they are able to measure (using a Gates gauge) as "belt tension" with the tensioner installed. If they can measure an installed belt tension of at least 80 to 110 pounds on the serpentine belt, you are fine. As far as alternator failures, even if all pulleys seized, the serpentine belt snapped and all the accessory drives came to a crashing halt, such would have no effect whatsoever on the mechanical or electrical function of an alternator. Alternators are DRIVEN by the serpentine belt. All that happens when the belt disappears or pulleys seize is the alternator stops turning; there is NO possibility of damage to the alternator. Once you re-apply a new belt, or new pulleys, the accessories start turning again, just like before and the alternator produces current to charge the batteries. As noted, pulleys do wear out…worn pulleys do cause noise but all that is beside the point. Insofar as your concern, you CAN confirm if they are telling the truth by just simply having them PROVE the alleged failure to you. If they cannot prove it, or are unwilling to prove it (don’t buy the "insurance rules don’t allow you in the shop trick), then do not replace the pulleys. In the future, you can save a lot of money by having a repair like this, as well as maintenance, performed on a mobile basis. So, please keep us in mind and if additional concerns arise related to your current issue, please don’t hesitate to inquire further.

ANSWER : Hello – I think it is safe to say that your clutch is worn out. The grind you hear when pressing the clutch pedal is almost certainly the clutch throwout bearing failing. And the slipping in higher gears indicates either the clutch disk is worn out, or the clutch pressure plate has become weak, and should be replaced. A complete clutch replacement service is the needed solution here. This will require removal of either the engine or the transmission to gain access to the clutch assembly inside the transmission bellhousing. Unfortunately, this is not a service YourMechanic can offer at this time. Thanks for thinking of us!

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.

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.