2003 S80 a/c clutch

Julihall5760 · Post by **Julihall5760** » 03 Aug 2012, 14:15

Hi everyone, my name is Juli and Im from SC.

Sorry if this is redundant, but I have looked all over this site and I cannot find how to shim the a/c clutch on my S80. You cant get to it from the top, and we are trying from the bottom, but I dont think we are doing anything right. Typical a/c cuts out, then on, and I can see that when it blows warm, the clutch is not engaged and spinning.

Again, sorry to repost if I am, but it is freaking hot in SC right now and this is driving me bonkers. Please any advice would be awesome

Post by **jimmy57** » 03 Aug 2012, 14:18

Support subframe at front with a 2x4 and floor jack. Remove the two bolts each from rear subframe attaching points and then loosen each main bolt 2 turns
Undo and remove the front bolts for subframe.
Lower engine 4 or so inches bu lowering front of subframe. You should now have access to front of compressor.

Julihall5760 · Post by **Julihall5760** » 03 Aug 2012, 14:26

ugh....don't think we were prepared to do that. What about wiring a relay to 'force' current to the clutch?

Post by **jimmy57** » 03 Aug 2012, 15:18

The alternative to pulling driven plate and removing shim is to do one of the "bread clip" fixes. If you search using "bread clip" you'll find it.
That compressor clutch coil is relay switched already. The issue is the normal heating of the magnet coil drops it strength while the gap increases with wear. When the coil strength line goes down past where the increasing gap magnetic strength line goes up then your a/c quits. You can't fix the coil strength but you can decrease the gap.

hanzbe420 · Post by **hanzbe420** » 03 Aug 2012, 19:31

jump the compressor see if it stays running with a gauge to it and under 2000 rpm load, see what pressure is. add if needed. replace switch if it doesn't run,then you no you need shims. Just a thought.

Post by **jimmy57** » 03 Aug 2012, 19:34

The P2's do not use the pressure cycling switch. They have an evaporator temperature sensor that supplies info to climate module and it controls compressor on/off based on the temperature.

Julihall5760 · Post by **Julihall5760** » 28 Aug 2012, 13:29

He was able to get the shims in with some awkward twisting and turning, but we are not prepared to go into too much depth right now; just needed the fixes. Thanks!