I believe mine is going bad on my 2004 Ranger. Right after startup, I get a short lasting loud growling noise coming from the A/C compressor. I see rust colored dust on the front of the pulley. My local NAPA store can get me a new one for just under $100. Will I need any special tools to swap it out? Anything I should know before doing this? Does anyone think it is something else that is the real problem? Thanks in advance!!!

 

Is the truck sitting more than 8 hrs off and ambient temp > 32F? If so, you will get a funny loud kind of ratcheting or growling noise. The truck has what is called CASS or Compressor anti slugging strategy. If the truck sits 8hrs off and with an ambient above 32F the pcm will command the compressor to anti slug. This is just a way of pushing excess liquid refrigerant out of the compressor to prevent damage. The pcm will apply the compressor multiple times in the first few seconds of running. This 'may' be what you are hearing. Otherwise, if you are replacing the pulley, you must replace the clutch disc also, especially if your plate has groves worn into it. I don't believe the compressor needs special tools unless you are replacing the field coil.

 

99% of people and shops never tear apart the compressor anymore... you just change out the compressor period..

1st off.. you need to recycle and deep vac your system to get all of the refridgerant out..

Then you need to find out if the new comp. comes with pag oil or if it take mineral oil.. and add some in...

Then you need to exchange the compressor out, and put a deep vac on the system again... and find out how many lbs of refridgerant you need and charge the system with dye in it to see if its leaking...

and its actually against gov. law to mess with an AC system without being certified...

(might have had a step mixed up or misspelling)

Rocky

 

That is exactly how it happens! Thank you!!!!!

 

I'm guessing that the refrigerant won't not be an issue if I were to swap the clutch pully, but no need now anyway.

 

No problem. You can also change the pulley and disc without evacuating the system. Same goes for the field coil if I remember correctly. The field coil requires a puller though. If you do end up changing the clutch, there is a shim in there that you need to put back in for the proper air gap otherwise your a/c compressor will run all the time.