[Miata] AC compressor problem

[Ken Bogart]

What happens if you have the hood open and watch the AC unit/clutch.

Does the clutch engage/disengauge when the compressor "freezes up"?  I
would think if the compressor is seizing, the clutch would have a fit
and squeel.

How did you check pressure in the system?  Using the low side hookup,
what were the readings when it was running. It could be overcharged.

I am not an expert on AC systems...  My home AC compressor just bit
the dust this past weekend and it will be a week of 100 degree days
before a repalcement compressor is in...

KEN


On 8/6/07, Michael Herring <gmherring at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I apologize for how long this is.  My 99 has been
> having the following problems in relation to the AC
> compressor.  I know its related to the AC because it
> doesn't do it when the compressor is off.  I just need
> to find out if I need to replace the compressor or is
> it something else.
>
> My feeling is that the compressor is overheating and
> freezing up causing a lot of drag on the engine which
> is throwing off the timing resulting in the misfiring.
>  But thats just a guess.
>
> 1.  When the car is warmed up and at idle running the
> AC the compressor turns on for about 10 seconds and
> then cuts off.  Turns on for tens seconds then turns
> off.
>
> 2.  If you sit still for too long  (maybe ten minutes
> tops) with the AC going, then the car will rev to 2000
> rpm and stay there.  AC will completely cut out.  You
> have to either move or shut it off to stop it.
>
> 3.  When going (no matter what speed) you can feel the
> cut on cut off cut on cut off of the compressor.  The
> faster the you are going the less pronounced it is but
> in stop and go traffic it is very pronounced.
>
> 4.  Since it has gotten really hot here in Savannah (
> over the last month) I have had on four occassions on
> my way home from work (the car sat still all day)
> gotten 3/4 of the way home and had the car suddenly
> act like a spark plug had gave out.  Tach jumps up and
> down loke crazy, car revs then sputters, revs then
> sputters, then dies completely.  Absolutely will not
> crank, very similar to what you would get if you broke
> a timing belt.  However if you let it sit for ten
> minutes it will crank right back up.  After that I
> didn't dare turn on the AC until I got home.
>
> This only happens on the very hottest days.  It did
> not happen for over a week until today when it is
> blistering.
>
> I completely flushed the radiator, cleaned the
> condensor and radiator fins real good.  Both fans work
> perfectly.  The engine itself does not appear to be
> overheating.
>
> AC coolant pressures appear to be fine.
>
> I replaced both belts and made sure they were
> tightened properly.
>
> I have gotten a 1345 Code on the CEL but I'm not sure
> thats related.
>
> Outside of this the AC blows cool air just fine.
>
>
>
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