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AC Compressor Physical Failure Help

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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 06:04 PM
  #1  
jbuck_atlanta's Avatar
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Car: 89' RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
AC Compressor Physical Failure Help

Driving on the highway, turned AC on, worked for a bit, smelled burning, ac stopped working. When I got home I checked the damage, dont remember the exact orientation of this plug (see below) but I know its not where its supposed to be. Its now pinched and dragging along the serpentine belt. AC Fuse blew. When I turn the car on, the compressor looks like it engages but drags or jumps as at spins and makes noise even though AC is completely off and fuse is blown. Assuming its physically damaged.

I know I shouldn’t drive it, so what are my next steps?

I dont care to replace it if it will be a pain or require extra tools since were working with pressurized AC, and fine to bypass it, rip some stuff out or something but just need advice on what I should do next.

Thanks!

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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 06:14 PM
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Re: AC Compressor Physical Failure Help

The 2 blades of the plug should be parallel to the lip of the pulley. Go LOOK AT one at yer local buzzard nest.

First thing would be to figure out why that happened. Looks like something hit it somehow somewhy, maybe. Hard to say. Mostly you just need to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Then, the connector is just yerbasic ¼" slide terminal. You can completely do away with the black housing if you want and just crimp new terminals on the wire. Or, since about A BILLION cars and trucks all came with that connector, go gank a good one at the buzzard nest and spice it onto your wires.
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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 06:41 PM
  #3  
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Car: 89' RS
Engine: 305
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Re: AC Compressor Physical Failure Help



The part where it plugs in is also very damaged. I can wiggle it and its hanging on by a thread, and looks like shredded fiberglass or plastic below it, and looks like its caught in the pulley, causing it to drag. Can I just clean it out some how so it stops dragging? I dont care if the ac works anyways.

Last edited by jbuck_atlanta; Jul 7, 2025 at 06:55 PM.
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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 07:48 PM
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Car: 1984 T/A
Engine: LQ4
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Axle/Gears: Ford 8.8 4.10 gears
Re: AC Compressor Physical Failure Help

iirc that is part of the compressor assembly, You can try to repair the connection but imo you need a new compressor
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Old Jul 7, 2025 | 11:06 PM
  #5  
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From: belle fourche,s.d.
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Engine: L83 5.7
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Re: AC Compressor Physical Failure Help

Looks like pulley bearings went out and pulley started rubbing clutch magnet-look at all that red iron dust.The clutch and pulley are ruined,the compressor might be salvageable...
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