A/c Compressor Short?

[kester]

ford galaxy 2003 tdi 130. Air con not working when purchased and virtually no gas pressure in system.

 

The compressor clutch is not working, and when I tried putting 12v to it the wires melted, I suspect a short. I used a DVM on the 2 pins and it beeps i.e. there is continuity. Question: what might cause this problem and can it be fixed? either way I expect I'll have to buy a used compressor.

 

Also the connector to the compressor seems to have 0.25v on it. Any idea why, I'd have thought if it was low pressure (short to ground) then there would be no volts?

 

If I get round to changing the compressor then I'll have to review the condenser/drier cap and we start getting into serious money, with possible pipe leaks as well I presume (and I only paid

[insanitybeard]

Can you turn the compressor over by hand (obviously with the engine off!)? If not then it may be seized (not an unknown problem) and trying to energise the clutch on a seized compressor could well have resulted in it being overloaded. If there is no gas in the system then the clutch won't engage and the system shouldn't work to prevent damage.

[kester]

yeah it turns fine and there seems to some physical resistance, hence why i'm reluctant to jump straight to replacing it. just wondered if anyone had experienced this problem before? thnx

[insanitybeard]

If the electromagnetic clutch is defective it is listed as a separate part to the compressor, no idea on cost though. They can and do fail, but bear in mind if there is very little gas in the system then the system shouldn't work and the clutch shouldn't energise, you'll have to regas it to test it properly.

Edited June 18, 2014 by insanitybeard