A/C Clutch Bad? | FerrariChat

A/C Clutch Bad?

Discussion in '308/328' started by gonzo350, Feb 5, 2010.

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  1. gonzo350

    gonzo350 Karting

    Apr 3, 2004
    207
    Lafayette Indiana
    Full Name:
    Myles
    I need to stop working on my car....I keep finding more projects!

    My A/C has never worked and It's time to figure it out while I have everything pulled apart. My clutch does not engage...I have .250 V going to the compressor when pressure switch is hooked up, low freon right? Well....when I jump the switch I get 12V to the compressor and the clutch still doesn't kick in. Radiator fan comes on normally. Thoughts?
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    That clutch is a 'Ferrari only' part, maybe see if someone can investigate/repair it??

    A new one is almost $500USD....
     
  3. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Correct, in that there is a pressure switch monitoring pressure, that interrupts control circuit to the clutch.
     
  4. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2004
    6,775
    Indy
    Full Name:
    Bill S.
    Be real sure it is not kicking in before you tear it down. The clutch seems to barely move on mine without the typical "SMACK" commonly heard on a/c units, but it does come in and works fine.
     
  5. Maranelloborn

    Maranelloborn Karting

    Nov 16, 2009
    227
    New York
    Full Name:
    Remund
    I just can't imagine there is not some other option for an AC Clutch..? Is it the belt size, or the pulley alignment? Mine looks like its maybe bad as well.
     
  6. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    When I did my Sanden conversion I used the clutch asm. that was on the compressor. The V groove is slightly different but no big deal. I can't immagine it being so different that a clutch assembly from a York compressor won't work. After I got my car back in 99 I had to replace the Italian compressor . It was the same as a York unit and at that time I just pulled the cluch unit and stuck it on the York. That lasted until I replaced the whole system with the Sanden unit. So if you are going to put in a York unit then bring your old clutch unit and try to match it up. I still have my old York unit with the Ferrari clutch somewhere. I save all of my old parts.
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #7 BigTex, Feb 5, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2010
    I guess it's the single groove as well as the metric belt, we matched up something off an air conditioned tractor but I discarded the whole system and never reinstalled it.
    I was at an automotive A/C parts specialty job and they were mystified.

    I just thought I'd share it isn't down at Pep Boys or OReily......

    There was a guy in Japan doing a 512BB, he took his totally apart, just to refinish it!

    You have me wondering now I'll go find my air conditioner box...LOL!
     
  8. gonzo350

    gonzo350 Karting

    Apr 3, 2004
    207
    Lafayette Indiana
    Full Name:
    Myles
    Silly question, but when yours engages you can see it start and stop spinning....correct?
     
  9. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2004
    6,775
    Indy
    Full Name:
    Bill S.
    Correct.
     
  10. gonzo350

    gonzo350 Karting

    Apr 3, 2004
    207
    Lafayette Indiana
    Full Name:
    Myles
    Glad you made me look CAREFULLY! I'm used to a GM clutch clicking in and out. Found two things, one (the culprit) was a loose ground, 2nd it is VERY subtle when the clutch kicks on. I only have a 6 degree temp drop when the A/C is on, so looks like its Ebay R12 time. Thanks for making look so carefully!
     

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