I have a 1994 XL 4x4 explorer and the a/c compressor appears to have gone bad. the A/C system has been without coolant for years.

What is my least expensive and least problematic course of action with this?

 

Least expensive....Leave it. I would have a shop run a vacuum/flush on it to remove contaminates. Then put the AC comp on yourself and depending on what state your in either charge it yourself or have a shop do it.

EDIT. has it been without refrigerant because the comp. took a dump or did it just run out? If it ran out, you must find the leak and repair it, that's where the shop running a vacuum will know if there's a leak.

 

I would leave it, but I hear grinding when all temp controls are off, but It gets very loud, smokes, and sparks when The defrost/high fan and high heat are turned on.

the coolant is e134a, so it can't be refilled. How would I tell if it is empty?

 

You maybe able to just replace the clutch on that unit. That would avoid having to crack the AC system open

 

Here is a video of my same problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=SVZJ-rCueDc

 

Yeah that clutch is toast.


A 2 jaw puller is used to pull the pulley off and press it on. I have step by step info from a 95 ford manual with the FS10 compressor which is the same as the 94.

You are looking at about 35 bucks to replace the bearing, 70 bucks for the pulley, 100 b for the entire clutch or 165 for a new compressor with drier. If you plan to delete the system you will need the bypass pulley for 30 bucks

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,6548
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...parttype,13288
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,6572
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AC-COMPR...item3cbf19b3c0
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...parttype,10329

 

Any reason I can't just bypass the compress with a non a/c belt? I checked and there doesn't appear to be any clearance issues.

 

ok so I just got a non a/c serpentine belt installed, and it is running fine. Should I unplug the wires to the compressor, or leave them connected?

 

If it didn't turn on before it still wont, nothing has changed.

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I still have a question about this issue. Since bypassing the a/c compressor with a non a/c belt the CEL has been coming on. Can i just pull the fuse for the a/c to trick the computer into thinking it isn't there?

 

Is the code for AC?

 

The ac will not throw a code, go to the parts store and have them read the code.

 

Will they be able to on a '94? It doesn't have an ODB2 port.

 

OBD1 they still can read it, otherwise that scanner is about 30 bucks.

 

You can actually check them yourself without a scanner, with a test light and a jumper wire, here's how.
http://www.extreme-check-engine-ligh...%20Decoder.htm

 

That method is real PITA.

This is the scanner I picked up at oreilly's.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...5.oap?pt=N0664