a/c compressor went boom

[Mike827]

Just a few minutes ago I went outside to warm up my car before my journey to work...I notice that the speakers on the right side of my car wasn't working. So I politely pulled the radio out and adjusted the rca wires in the back. As I was pushing the radio back in I notice that the battery light inside the car came on and then I heard a boom. I saw that a little smoke was coming from the hood. I popped the hood to find that freund had went all over the place. So I cut ac back on to see was it still operational is but it doesn't blow out cold air no more. Also noticed that the clutch on the compressor don't engage at all no more. Could I had shorted something out. Way Before all this happened I notice that when I turn on my a/c I would hear this ticking sound, then it would eventually goway after running a/c for awhile. any input on this? Thanks

[Bluerauder]

Could I had shorted something out.

Sure seems that way to me.

[RacerX]

If you need to drive it, pull the electrical connector off the back of the compressor so it doesn't try to turn on and replace it asap.

[fastblackmerc]

Yep, it sounds like you shorted something out. Pull out the radio and check all the connections. When you put it back in the hole, make sure your not crimping, cutting any wires.

Check all the fuses, even under the hood.

[RacerX]

Smoke under hood, compressor doesn't engage... I think it was coincidence that you were in the dash. Sounds like ac compressor clutch is bad. Like I said above, if yoh red to drive it, pull the electrical connector on the compressor jic. It won't turn on unless you have the ac (or heat) on, but, better to be safe and not start a fire.

[Mike827]

Should I replace the accumulator and hoses basically everything. A guy told me that the clutch will not engage unless there is freund in it. All the freund came out. It don't appear that I have any holes in the hoses. All I see is at the end of the hose that from the accumulator to the compressor there is freund/dye around on both the metal end of the hose

[Bluerauder]

Should I replace the accumulator and hoses basically everything. A guy told me that the clutch will not engage unless there is freund in it. All the freund came out. It don't appear that I have any holes in the hoses. All I see is at the end of the hose that from the accumulator to the compressor there is freund/dye around on both the metal end of the hose

I think you mean ^^^^ Freon R-134a. What you saw under the hood was probably not smoke; but rather the R-134a gas escaping from a massive leak in the system. Something broke bad and you won't be able to refill until that leak is fixed. JMHO.

BTW -- Freon R-134a is a trade name for "1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane". Guess you can see why they just call it "Freon", mein freund. ;)

[illwood]

A guy told me that the clutch will not engage unless there is freon in it.

Yes, there is a pressure switch that won't allow the compressor clutch to engage unless there is adequate freon in the system. That prevents you from burning up an expensive compressor that is intended to be cooled by the freon.

[RacerX]

You need PAG oil in with the 134a (ISO 100?). Your coolant system has a special oil in it that keeps everything lubed up properly.

[Mike827]

Update on ac. Okay I put a can on freon in to see can I tell where it was leaking from. I didn't see any leakag/dye or any hissing from any of the ac hoses. As I put the one can in the air got a lil colder but the clutch will not engage. Should I go ahead and buy two more cans of freon and see what it will do.

[TFB]

Update on ac. Okay I put a can on freon in to see can I tell where it was leaking from. I didn't see any leakag/dye or any hissing from any of the ac hoses. As I put the one can in the air got a lil colder but the clutch will not engage. Should I go ahead and buy two more cans of freon and see what it will do.

If the clutch did not engage, it's not possible to get any cooling...

[illwood]

Do you or any friends or family own any A/C gauges? They are pretty helpful in seeing where you are at. You want to have the low pressure side at about 30psi and the high at about 200psi.

[mnxtrik8r]

I would make sure the fan is working properly prior to replacing parts. There is a relief valve that vents the system when the highside goes way above normal. This can be caused by low or no air flow across the condenser. Seeing as you were stationary and not moving, this may be the problem. Just an opinion.

[Jesse]

Is it possible the battery light came on cause the compressor was trying to lock up? Could it have slowed the belt enough to kick on the low charge light or would it just slip? I heard you can make a jumper of some kind to make the compressor kick on weather there's 134 in it or not just to make sure it's functional. Just only do it for a second though! I've never tried it.

[Mike827]

Okay guys I have another question to ask ftom you mm experts. Okay i jumped the ac clutch relay under the hood, the compressor acted like it wanted to spin(half a turn) but locked and caused the engine to idle down. Is the compressor bad, or is it the the pressure sensor keeping it from coming on fully. It's not really that much 134a/oil in it. Only purchased one can 134a to put in at the moment. Didn't really want to wast money on three can of 134a if it was gonna leak back out. If I jumped it should it come on regardless if 134a is in it or not?

[fastblackmerc]

Okay guys I have another question to ask ftom you mm experts. Okay i jumped the ac clutch relay under the hood, the compressor acted like it wanted to spin(half a turn) but locked and caused the engine to idle down. Is the compressor bad, or is it the the pressure sensor keeping it from coming on fully. It's not really that much 134a/oil in it. Only purchased one can 134a to put in at the moment. Didn't really want to wast money on three can of 134a if it was gonna leak back out. If I jumped it should it come on regardless if 134a is in it or not?

I think your compressor is bad. If your powering the A/C clutch directly then the compressor or clutch is bad.

[Mike827]

Today my check engine light came on I checked it with my sct x3. It displayed two codes p0645 and p1462. So I guess this is the problem. But I still don't understand where the freon could have leaked out from. Everything looks normal.

[Mike827]

Update on my ac situation, well I finally took the car in to get diagnosed. The mechanic told me that I blew a hole out the side of my compressor(side facing engine) and that it may be metal throughout the system. And said that I need all new lines/hoses a compressor a condenser and accumulator and also an orifice tube to get the ac back on track. He quoted me at $1600.00. Is this a fair deal? The 1600.00 also include all parts/labor

[fastblackmerc]

Update on my ac situation, well I finally took the car in to get diagnosed. The mechanic told me that I blew a hole out the side of my compressor(side facing engine) and that it may be metal throughout the system. And said that I need all new lines/hoses a compressor a condenser and accumulator and also an orifice tube to get the ac back on track. He quoted me at $1600.00. Is this a fair deal? The 1600.00 also include all parts/labor

Sounds OK to me.

[RacerX]

I would see if there's a hole in it before I did anything. Perfect time of the year to sell ice to eskimos. You could just have a worn clutch. Is there any pressure in the system at all?