AC clutch doesn't engage.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Kruse Family Farms, May 31, 2024.

  1. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    I definitely think it might be back feeding some how. Such a strange issue to have out of no where. I'll get back with y'all tomorrow when I try a few more things. Can't ever be an easy fix!
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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  3. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    With a new ground it just keeps the clutch always engaged which I don't want. I want it to work like factory. I have some sort of other issue. Not sure what the hell is going on.
     
  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    OMG you guys are going in circles.
    Stop and check your clutch wiring, you do this with an ohm meter, digital is preferred.

    It has to be at 2 ohms, if it is 0, then it is bad. If it is more than 5 it is bad.
     
  5. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    It's almost always an easy fix, but the back and forth of the forum, and not being able to see in person adds a lot of challenges
     
  6. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Clutch works when it gets the proper power and ground. Issue is either wiring or sensor. Going to hope back on it in the morning.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  7. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Ha true man true! It will end up being something stupid in the end. It usually is. Appreciate your help I will touch base tomorrow sometime after I try some stuff. If I figure it out I will put the fix on this thread too.
     
  8. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I may be completely wrong as is often the case. I’m also lost on most electrical stuff. For some reason seems I recall the compressor being powered by a constant hot from the starter. That means the switching is done on the negative wire, Trace the hot, see if it runs to the starter, let me know if I’m right or wrong. Since you’ve checked just about everything. I would check the plug on the temp evaporator probe sensor. Located up above the blower motor resistor. Also check the single black plug on the resistor. I think it’s tied into the sensor. Any one of the 3 might have came unplugged. If so, compressor clutch won’t engage. As I recall it’s the single plug on the resistor that’s prone to getting unplugged. It’s a long shot, but a simple fix worth checking.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2024
    Kruse Family Farms Thanks this.
  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Check the resistance of the clutch to rule it out.

    This is why I say check the coil resistance -


    I think there is a path for power on the positive side that is switched, not on the negative side. if the OP checked the LP switch and then moved to checking the the path of power.

    I think the following quote is close but it leaves out one important thing.

    The relay

    Freightliner uses a relay to switch power on and off to the compressor clutch. Even if there is voltage present at the plug without the compressor hooked up, that does not mean when there is a load there will be the same level of voltage when it is supposed to be engaging. The current load is low but with a bad relay (which happens) there will be a bad connection at the contact and this in turn will drop the voltage.

    That said, I do not think this year of truck has the body module, which would not allow the unit to engage.
     
  10. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I’m guessing it’s a York style compressor. Always a problem with them. Clutches always burn up, usually takes the compressor bearing out with it. I’ve changed so many of them on both my Classics. Best to upgrade to a Sanden with the same type plug, get a new bracket, adapt the lines to fit. Throw the York in the trash.
     
  11. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Okay both clutches are right at 3 ohms so that is fine. According to my diagnostics both wires do have power but one is supposed to feed back to ground in the fuse box and currently isn't. My fuse panel is missing basically every label. I did find the AC power and AC clutch power and cleaned them up no issues there. Any idea where the ground would be? I also think I know which one is the ac relay based on photos I found online. Haven't tested it yet. Wanted to find the ground first.
    PXL_20240601_175509423.MP.jpg PXL_20240601_175513206.jpg PXL_20240601_175519174.MP.jpg
     
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