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A/C clutch problem

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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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A/C clutch problem

Need some advice: My A/C stopped working. Last time this happened I followed the instruction on the air gap shim fix, (thanks Springer Pop) worked great for 2 years. The gap now is at .30 I was going to close the gap again but when I turn the key on along with the A/C control the clutch plate doesn’t even get sucked in so I can’t remove the 8 mm bolt. Any advice is appreciated. 2001 F-350
Thank you
Dave
 
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 12:44 PM
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Have you tried tapping on the plate to see if it will pull in? Sometimes the gap is just too big. Another problem could be one of the pressure switches went or the pressure is too high or low. The switches all in series with the clutch coil, so when one goes bad or the pressure is off and doesn't register closed, the clutch won't pull in. You can check the switches and clutch coil with an ohm meter to check continuity.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 02:35 PM
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See this LINK to determine and/or adjust the clutch plate air gap.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by twags6
Have you tried tapping on the plate to see if it will pull in? Sometimes the gap is just too big. Another problem could be one of the pressure switches went or the pressure is too high or low. The switches all in series with the clutch coil, so when one goes bad or the pressure is off and doesn't register closed, the clutch won't pull in. You can check the switches and clutch coil with an ohm meter to check continuity.
Thanks for your reply, I tried tapping & holding it in with the ign. on & A/C control on. But there is no magnetic power reaching the clutch plate. I’ll try to locate the switches you mentioned & check them out.
Thank you
Dave
 
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 09:53 PM
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Thirty thousandths isn't so wide it should cause problems, so I suspect it's something else.

The first thing you need to do is determine if the clutch coil is good or not.

You can do that with a couple of jumper wires. Pull the plug off the coil and run each coil conductor directly to the battery and see if the clutch kicks in or not. If it does, we need to start looking elsewhere, and there are only a few other things it can be.

One step at a time.

Report back......

Pop
 
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 09:53 PM
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Damn double posting going on here again......

Second one this hour!

Pop
 
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 07:27 AM
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Love the "how to" links. Thanks Robin for posting and thanks Pop for the "how to". I now have the link to your webpage saved.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2012 | 08:05 PM
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subscribing. i have the same issue with mine. got the air gap to .020 and the coil will magnetize with a jumper.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2012 | 11:54 PM
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Corwin132
Have you fixed your problem yet? I’m going to get back to my A/C problem I’ve been working on my ft. hubs. Does the jumper cable connect to the lower left side of the A/C condenser where that plug is located & does the jumper wires have to be connected a certain way?

Regards Dave
 
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Old Mar 20, 2012 | 09:08 PM
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dave the wires i used to test the clutch plugged right into the back side of the clutch pulley. just unplugged the harness and ran wires from the battery to the clutch pulley.
 
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