Topic: Mopar AC clutch

[jfrabat]

Does anyone know if you can get JUST the clutch assembly for the Mopar AC compressor unit?  Mine seems to have lived it's useful life, so I need a new one, but in Panama I can only get the whole compressor, not just the clutch.  Any ideas where to get it?

[grumpygy]

Glad I don't have ac or need it.

http://www.autopartsfair.com/jeep-ac_parts/more-clutches.html

[sharpxmen]

might work from other models (i'm fairly sure it will), try the junkyard, can't remember the name but they're all manufactured by a couple of companies (the compressors) so the clutches and coil are most likely interchangable for the same brand as long as the diameter of the pulley is the same.

[Jeffy]

All you need s a Serpentine 6 or 7 groove clutch off a Sanden compressor.  Fairly universal.  Otherwise a clutch assembly will probably cost around $80-90 for the whole thing.  You can replace the bearings on them without having to but a completely new unit though.  Or is the magneto bad?

[jfrabat]

All you need s a Serpentine 6 or 7 groove clutch off a Sanden compressor.  Fairly universal.  Otherwise a clutch assembly will probably cost around $80-90 for the whole thing.  You can replace the bearings on them without having to but a completely new unit though.  Or is the magneto bad?

Not sure; my dad is the one taking care of this in Panama...  Can't send him to a Junkyard, though, so that's out.

[Jeffy]

Not sure; my dad is the one taking care of this in Panama...  Can't send him to a Junkyard, though, so that's out.

Well if the bearing is bad it shouldn't make noise if the AC is on.  If the clutch is spinning and not engaging the compressor then the magneto is bad.

[jfrabat]

OK, I see the outer part spinning, but the inner part will not.  If I tap it, the inner part will start spinning.  According to the AC place my dad took it to, they told him it was the clutch, but they did not know where to buy JUST the clutch, and the whole compressor was around $400.

[Jeffy]

OK, I see the outer part spinning, but the inner part will not.  If I tap it, the inner part will start spinning.  According to the AC place my dad took it to, they told him it was the clutch, but they did not know where to buy JUST the clutch, and the whole compressor was around $400.

You can buy a whole compressor plus clutch (reman.) for under $200.  if it'a just the magneto then really that's all you need.  Problem is they don't sell them that way.  You'll need the magneto and the pulley.  A place specializing in AC units would probably have them.  Otherwise, you'll have to order one.

[jfrabat]

You can buy a whole compressor plus clutch (reman.) for under $200.  if it'a just the magneto then really that's all you need.  Problem is they don't sell them that way.  You'll need the magneto and the pulley.  A place specializing in AC units would probably have them.  Otherwise, you'll have to order one.

Any recommended places to get the compressors you mentioned?  Keep in mind I still need to ship it to Panama...

[Jeffy]

Any recommended places to get the compressors you mentioned?  Keep in mind I still need to ship it to Panama...

I'd try, http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ or http://www.ackits.com/.  Those are the two big ones that sell online.  They should be able to set you up with a new clutch or a clutch and compressor.  Although I'd jsut replace the clutch.

[sharpxmen]

if you tap it and engages is most likely what Jeffy said - the solenoid/coil - you mean to tell me you would not be able to find a wrecked vehicle with an a/c on it in Panama? You could order it from the US but would cost you more than it's worth. Another thought would be that the wire at the solenoid is busted where it exits the metal shell, try to move the wire instead of tapping on it and see if it starts, if it does then you could carefully dig around the resin there and solder the wire, after that some cold weld or resin would seal it for good and you could have another 100k miles before it goes bad again - have a look, it's worth the time.

[jfrabat]

you mean to tell me you would not be able to find a wrecked vehicle with an a/c on it in Panama? You could order it from the US but would cost you more than it's worth. Another thought would be that the wire at the solenoid is busted where it exits the metal shell, try to move the wire instead of tapping on it and see if it starts, if it does then you could carefully dig around the resin there and solder the wire, after that some cold weld or resin would seal it for good and you could have another 100k miles before it goes bad again - have a look, it's worth the time.

I could...  But I am in Costa Rica.  My dad is the one in Panama, and, although I'm sure he loves me very much, I doubt I can get him to visit a junkyard...

Another thought would be that the wire at the solenoid is busted where it exits the metal shell, try to move the wire instead of tapping on it and see if it starts, if it does then you could carefully dig around the resin there and solder the wire, after that some cold weld or resin would seal it for good and you could have another 100k miles before it goes bad again - have a look, it's worth the time.

I'll have him check this...

[Jeffy]

I'll have him check this...

There really isn't much to the magneto.  It's just an electromagnet.  The coils inside are set in resin so you can't do much to it.  There should be one cable that goes into that.  That's the only possible faulty link that could easily get damaged.  You might also want to check the connector to make sure it's not lose or the wires aren't frayed going into it.

[jfrabat]

Well, according to the shop, it's the clutch, so I'll focus on trying to find one of those from the sites Jeffy posted... 

[Jeffy]

Well, according to the shop, it's the clutch, so I'll focus on trying to find one of those from the sites Jeffy posted... 

The clutch is the magneto.  The outer pulley comes off and can be reused.  If you're smacking it and it then works then it's more then likely the wire outside the magneto.