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Clutch Won't Engage

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 8:38 am
by lothian
2006 Azera Limited
141k miles

Reasonably competent and conscientious shade-tree mechanic here. I get that AC troubleshooting and repair are best left to techs certified in such. But I don't believe I'm quite ready for their services just yet. I'm trying to determine if the AC problem I have with this car is within the scope of my ability. That said...

A few days ago, the otherwise reliable AC in our Azera stopped working. When the AC console controls are activated the tach shows immediate engine idle-up yet NO cold air comes out the vents. Under the hood, I can see the compressor clutch does NOT activate. The AC fuse tests ok. AC relay tests ok; however, I do NOT hear/feel the AC relay activate... may indicate the ECU isn't sending 12v to the relay (more on this below). I climbed under the engine and disconnected the clutch coil connector, blasted the contacts with air & WD-40, then reconnected and tested--still no clutch--I still need to apply 12v directly to the coil to test that part.

Static system pressures are dead-equal at ambient temp; no detected pressure drop after being connected for 48hrs (see image below). Since the clutch will not engage, I cannot get dynamic system pressures. From what I've read here and elsewhere, equal static pressure @ ~100lbs between both gauges is normal.

The ECU controls the AC relay. (I presume the RPM bump when I turn on the AC indicates the ECU is working correctly.) The service manual lists two AC system sensors that feed into the ECU--the "evaporator temperature sensor" and the "AC pressure transducer". Failure of either may prevent the AC relay from closing (via the ECU), so I need to test these components.

I have the service manual in front of me, but surprisingly it doesn't provide a t'shooting flowchart for the AC system. I'm open to advice for appropriate "next" procedures.
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Re: Clutch Won't Engage

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 6:40 am
by Dougflas
You need to verify clutch engages with 12v at the compressor. You may have too wide a clutch gap. Trace the wire from clutch backward to see where 12v drops off if that is the case. It would help if you could post wiring diagram.

Re: Clutch Won't Engage

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 10:18 am
by lothian
Hiya, Doug.

I've attached the 'Blower/AC Controls' wiring diagram below; page 3 shows the fuse/relay/clutch chain.

I believe I have a bad coil.

With the compressor mounted, I ran 12v directly into the connector--no click. I checked continuity--open circuit. I've ordered a coil (oem:97641-3K220, and a clutch (oem: 97644-3K120)--I am NOT replacing the pulley and/or bearing. Space is crazy tight near the compressor; I hope I can remove the four mount bolts and drop the compressor; clearly, I want to avoid opening the system.

Still, one question continues to vex me: Why won't the relay click when I operate the A/C control? Unless I am missing an indication of a feedback loop in the wiring diagram below, I see no reason the relay would not continue to receive an actuation voltage from the ECU/PCM, regardless of the coil state. Given this uncertainty and without benefit of a proper scan tool, I have zero confidence that the A/C on this car is gonna work after completing the onerous chore of replacing the coil and clutch.
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Re: Clutch Won't Engage

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 1:29 pm
by bohica2xo
You could jump through your backside with electrical tests all week...

Or check the clutch gap first. 90% of these complaints are clutch gap issues, and easily corrected.

.