Grinding Pulley?

[mdj710]

I was driving home on the interstate when the a/c stopped blowing cold air and a constant grinding sound is now coming from the driver side of the engine. What do you guys think? It's too freakin hot for this to happen now!

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

It sounds like either your a/c clutch on the compressor, or the compressor itself has failed. Try turning the a/c switch off in the car and see if the noise stops.

 

[lastshark08]

Definatly sounds like the ac compressor. Id pop the hood with it running though and make sure everything is spinning. Make sure that no pulleys are seized up and grinding your drive belts away. Dont want to loose that water pump

 

[mdj710]

Yup, still grinds when the a/c is off. I figured it was the compressor. So I will need to replace the whole compressor right?

 

[Janaelen]

Could be the AC clutch assembly. When these go bad, the result is a grinding noise like you described. Replacing consists of pulling the whole assembly off (which usually can be done with an autozone puller that you can rent) and a new assembly.

Your other option is to remove the AC belt until you have the time or money to replace. DO NOT run the car with AC belt on and this going bad. It will eventually throw the outter pulley which which could result in further damage to car.

 

[Geier]

Buy any compressor from one of the millions of DSM'ers currently parting out their cars. Try and get one for your year as well. They changed the harness plug in the 2g compressor.

 

[mdj710]

RESOLVED! Forgot to post this a while back. It was the compressor.