Air compressor seized? exp- v8

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May 16, 2006 | 11:30 AM

spinnr

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Air compressor seized? exp- v8

96 Explorer XLT v8 awd

I was driving and turned on my defroster when all of a sudden a squealing started followed rapidly by smoking of the serpentine belt. Runs ok with no air or defrost on except can hear rattling when idling coming from the a/c pulley now when no heat/air turned on.
Does this sound like seized air compressor or bad clutch?? Is it safe to drive with the rattling pulley as long as not using air etc.?

Also if seized, can it be bypassed at all and what would be effected if it can be. Would all heating functions still work except air and defrost? Also- I searched the forums and read something about a wire to disconnect the air compressor/defroster function but not sure if it is the same on my vehicle or whether would be ok to drive with wire disconnected. if it even could be with the pulley rattling as I mentioned. Trying to save some dollars for now as quoted about 800 to replace compressor and dryer if needed.

Any help would be appreciated
Thank you in advance

May 16, 2006 | 02:16 PM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

Look in your Haynes or Chiltons, there should be diagrams showing the belt routing with & without AC.

Or you might find these diagrams under the hood.

Install a non AC belt & you should be good to go.

Without AC the defrost wont work as good, but the heater will work the same.

Last edited by 87 XLT; May 16, 2006 at 02:19 PM.

May 16, 2006 | 03:11 PM

marragtop

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From: Baltimore

Sounds like the AC clutch is seized. If you're going to drive it without fixing it, put a non AC belt on it as 87 XLT said.

May 16, 2006 | 03:33 PM

spinnr

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Thank you for the great information. I will do as you both suggested and put on a non-AC belt.
One more quick question- do I have to disconnect any wires or fuses for the compressor or other components?

May 16, 2006 | 04:10 PM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

Nope, leave the fuses etc alone. The only problem you might have is if the AC pulley is in the way of the new belt. Then you'd need to remove the compressor or maybe just the pulley.

May 16, 2006 | 04:30 PM

87 XLT

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BTW, the refrigerant in the AC is under pressure, so if the compressor does need to come out, let a good independent shop do it.

Should'nt cost much.