Diagnostics of the electromagnetic clutch of the air conditioner

A failed interior air cooler is usually removed for repair. After replacing the unusable parts, the device is put back and antifreeze is pumped into the system again.

The failure of the air conditioner worsens the microclimate in the car. Before repair, the compressor electrical coupling must first be checked. The defective part must be repaired or replaced with a new one.

How to understand that the electromagnetic clutch is out of order

Breakdown of the device for cooling the air in the passenger compartment of the car happens for various reasons.

More often, the air conditioner bearing, worn out by a constant load, becomes unusable. A more rare cause of failure is high pressure in the piping system and jamming of the shaft.

Checking the electric clutch of the car air conditioning compressor, reveal signs of a malfunction:

1. Extraneous sound when starting cooling - crackling or knocking.
2. Poor contact with the pulley, slipping of the pressure plate.
3. Damage or oxidation of wires and contacts.
4. Significant deformation of the pulley surface.

Checking the electromagnetic clutch

After a run of 100 km or more, parts wear out, so it is necessary to check the electric clutch of the car's air conditioning compressor. The geometry of the pressure disk is broken from friction and corrosion. From exposure to high temperature, the winding of the electromagnetic assembly burns out.

Signs of breakdown of the compressor and parts of the car air conditioner:

• intermittent operation of the device;
• reduced cooling efficiency;
• extraneous hum or whistle;
• the smell of burning in the cabin.

If, after checking the clutch of the car's air conditioning compressor, a system breakdown is detected, then they usually contact the service. But the malfunction of this element is often eliminated on their own with their own hands.

Diagnostic methods

Checking the electromagnetic clutch of the air conditioning compressor on a car before starting repairs is needed to determine the cause of the breakdown and determine replacement parts.

To do this:

• Carry out an external check of the part of the device located in under the hood.
• Assess the condition of the wiring, pulley and pressure plate.
• Check the electromagnetic clutch of the air conditioning compressor without removing it from the car with a direct connection to the 12 V car network.

A system malfunction can be determined when the air conditioner is turned on. If nothing happens and cold air does not start to flow from the air ducts, then the air conditioner needs to be diagnosed.

If the disk does not press against the pulley, then the part is faulty and needs to be replaced with a new one.

Also, when checking the air conditioner clutch in a car, the resistance is measured at the coil contacts. An infinite value indicates a blown thermal fuse. To restore the normal operation of the electromagnet, it is enough to install a jumper instead of the thermistor.

Is dismantling necessary?

A failed interior air cooler is usually removed for repair. After replacing the unusable parts, the device is put back and antifreeze is pumped into the system again. Dismantling, restructuring and refueling is an expensive job. Therefore, in case of minor breakdowns, it is better to do without a complete disassembly of the device and check the electromagnetic clutch of the air conditioning compressor without removing it from the car.

Removing the car interior air cooler

In many models of cars there is free access to the spring mechanism of the device. An audit of a faulty electromagnetic clutch of a car can be performed without dismantling. The part is replaced as a whole or limited to a partial replacement of the bearing, pressure disk or magnet winding.

To access the clutch, the pulley and contact plate must be removed. It is necessary to work with a puller so as not to damage the splines and gaskets regulating the clearance. At the last stage, remove the electrocoupling by depressing the retaining ring. Check the part for operability by connecting to a 12 V network and measuring the resistance of the coil contacts.

See also: How to put an additional pump on the car stove, why is it needed

The practice of the masters shows that replacing the air conditioning compressor clutch in a car is a rather rare occurrence compared to replacing other parts. An example is a bearing that sits between a housing and a pulley. This is due to the fact that the air conditioner clutch is distinguished by its increased durability.

The defective clutch is replaced with a new original or similar. Mount the parts of the clamping mechanism in the reverse order.

After completing the repair, you need to check the electric clutch of the car's air conditioner under load.

Diagnostics of the electromagnetic clutch of the air conditioning compressor. How to check the clutch yourself