General Description

The A/C system compressor performs two main functions:

^ Compresses low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator into a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor.
^ Pumps refrigerant, and refrigerant oil, throughout the air conditioning system.

The compressor is the heart of the A/C system and is essentially (with the exception of the condenser fan) its only moving part.

The compressor uses a pressure plate, clutch pulley and clutch coil to engage with the engine crankshaft-driven compressor drive belt, thus obtaining power for its operation. The compressor clutch pulley rotates freely, without turning the compressor drive shaft, until the clutch coil is energized. When voltage is applied to energize the clutch coil, the pressure plate is drawn rearward toward the pulley. The magnetic field locks the pressure plate and pulley together as one unit to rotate the compressor drive shaft.

The clutch coil is energized by the A/C amplifier.

The compressor in this vehicle is not serviceable. Only the clutch coil, clutch pulley, drive shaft seal, pressure plate and pressure relief valve can be replaced. Should any internal part of the compressor assembly malfunction or wear out, the compressor must be replaced as a unit.