Thread: Replace AC compressor or..

Hey all, I have an 07 3.8. My ac just stopped blowing cold and makes a strange buzzing whinning sound when turned OFF. The sound lowers when i turn it ON. If I crank the heat it vibrates the gas and brake pedals. Cold air lets out coldiah air but not like before. Should i replace the whole thing or does it kake that sound with low freon?

compressor or the clutch might be going bad, or failed already. the ac comes on with the heat, so thats why you still hear noise.

simple tools work. if you take the coil pack bracket off you can reach right down to the 3 bolts that hold the compressor on the engine, then on the back side theres a small bracket.

freon will still be in it, so if you can evac it you can re use it. unless its leaked out already of course.

you need the right equipment to to remove and re use the old freon, its a gas and will spray out when you bust the line off the compressor. if you go the let it fly route, dont breath it in. or you'll be pretty sorry lol

some shops will suck it out and store it for ya. might be cheaper then a refilling it. after they drain it you can go do your repairs then go back, they will have to vac test it, then if its air tight they can refill it.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

compressor or the clutch might be going bad, or failed already.....

Originally Posted by steelholder

Thanks, my car is auto so most likely the AC compressor...

Just to clarify..... Scotty is taking about the clutch for the A/C compressor. Not about a manual transmission clutch. All Grand Prix's have an automatic trans. Under the hood, the belt is always spinning the pulley for the A/C compressor. The clutch is what actually engages the compressor and turns it on when you hit the A/C button in the cabin. If the clutch does not engage, then the pulley keeps spinning freely, and the compressor does not kick ON, meaning you have no A/C.

See if the clutch engages. Pop the hood, turn the A/C on full blast, and see if clutch is spinning. The A/C unit and pulley is on the passenger side, directly south of the coil bracket, right next to the lower radiator hose.

Watch a YouTube video to get the best instructions but basically you are watching to see if the piece that I drew the yellow on, is spinning. It's on the outside of the pulley. If it's spinning, then clutch is working and engaging, and your issue is somewhere else. Maybe you have a leak and all you need is to refill the system with one of those A/C Pro bottles. I have a leak like that somewhere and every summer I have to refill the system.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

simple tools work. if you take the coil pack bracket off you can reach right down to the 3 bolts that hold the compressor on the engine, then on the back side theres a small bracket.

freon will still be in it, so if you can evac it you can re use it. unless its leaked out already of course.

Might be worth paying the 200 in labor

Originally Posted by CHI2000GTP

See if the clutch engages. Pop the hood, turn the A/C on full blast, and see if clutch is spinning. The A/C unit and pulley is on the passenger side, directly south of the coil bracket, right next to the lower radiator hose.

Watch a YouTube video to get the best instructions but basically you are watching to see if the piece that I drew the yellow on, is spinning. It's on the outside of the pulley. If it's spinning, then clutch is working and engaging, and your issue is somewhere else. Maybe you have a leak and all you need is to refill the system with one of those A/C Pro bottles. I have a leak like that somewhere and every summer I have to refill the system.

thanks ill check that and report back