My 456 is tripping the 20A FUSE. What casues this? All the connections seem fine and when I replace the fuse it goes about 20 minutes, blows cold A/C, then trips the fuse again. I guess I could go to a greater amperage, but would like a clue what might be doing this. Had the system recharged about 3 years ago, could a low freon cause the fuse to trip. Seems like a short to ground loading down the system somewhere. Pls Advise, MB
You might have a shorted AC clutch coil... Disconnect the wire to the clutch coil and turn system on. If fuse does not blow you probably found your problem. Coolant leaking on the clutch coil will sometimes cause this kind of short (check your waterpump if it is leaking)...
Water pump is not leaking, but not sure what a A/C clutch coil is? Any help our can you point me in the general direction. MB
The AC compressor has a magnetic clutch on it that allows it to engage or disengage. When the AC controller wants to cool the car it sends an electrical signal to the clutch to engage the compressor and start pumping the freon. The compressor will have a wire going to it which is for the magnetic clutch, disconnect this wire at the connector. Then try to run your AC system (it won't cool, but the blower will run) for an hour to verify that your not blowing your fuse. If you don't blow it, it may be the clutch coil shorting or the wiring to the clutch, or the controller. Even small drips of coolant on the clutch coil could cause this kind of delayed short reaction.
Thanks, the problem is likely the compressor clutch, but I can get access to it without removing lots of other things. I'm just going to take it to my local guy for repair. Any idea if the clutch can be replaced without replacing the compressor and do you have any idea what the cost of the part might be? MB
The clutch is a separate part from the compressor itself so it can be replaced. I'm not sure what type of compressor/clutch the 456's use, but I would guess somewhere in the sub $300 range. Unless it is a weird Ferrari only kind of thing.
