This is on my co-worker's '86 V6 Firebird, the compressor sometimes won't kick on unless someone raps on the clutch. It's getting voltage, and when it does decide to kick on, it doesn't slip or squeal or grind. Cutout switch is fine.
I'm concluding that the coil is going out, seeing as i've cleaned the heck out of the connector plug, blown compressed air thru the clutch and nothing seems to make it work until I tap on the clutch, then it immediately starts working until it has to cycle off again.
Can anyone school me on servicing this component? I have no clue how to disassemble it or if I can even do it myself.

(Normally I'd just vouch for replacing the whole compressor assembly, but this guy doesn't have the money to spend for a whole new one.)

 

anyone?

 

replacement clutches are alot cheaper then compressors..

 

Right, now I just need to know how the puck to get the **** off from there.

 

A friend of mine at a dealership helped me change mine. It was tough, even with the special Snap-On tool that's made specifically for the job. The tool pulls it off with the inside threads on the clutch hub. I think it'd be very difficult to remove without the tool.
Also the clutch cost $120 at local Kragen, while a whole rebuilt compressor with clutch was about $80 more.
If I have AC Clutch troubles again, I'm swapping the whole compressor.
-Rich-