Replace AC compressor or..

[steelholder]

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?

 

[Scottydoggs]

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.

 

[steelholder]

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.

Thanks, my car is auto so most likely the AC compressor, are there any implications with removing the compressor if it still contains freon? Is it simply bolted on? Any special tools for removing besides a wrench and sockets.

 

[SgtMarshal]

you have freon lines that go to the compressor, if you take it off you will let the gas out.

 

[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.

 

[steelholder]

I don't know how to evac or refill with fluid do you just unscrew or pull out the lines? What happens if freon spills out?

I've removed the ac compressor and reattached to a different engine when doing a swap in the past so I think I've done most of this job minus the freon lines.

 

[Scottydoggs]

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.

 

[CHI2000GTP]

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

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.

 

[steelholder]

Is there a way to tell if it's the clutch or compressor?

Air blows out hot and cools down a bit when turning to cold but not like before.

 

[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.

 

[steelholder]

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

 

[steelholder]

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