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My 2008 G35S AC compressor clutch locks up and stalls the engine. I'm looking to replace the car in 4-5 months and trying to buy some time. Can the clutch be disengaged by unplugging the wire connector? The tech that diagnosed this tells me that unplugging the connector will not help, as the clutch starts even when the AC is off. That seems very strange if it is not connected to power. Either he knows his stuff or he's trying to make me approve a $1,500 compressor replacement job. Thank you for helping me sort this out. Gregg
Lol that's total bullshit, it's an electromagnetic clutch, if you disconnect the harness then there's no power, thus the clutch literally could not engage.
I suggest you never go back to that technician since he literally lied to your face.
Yes you can absolutely disconnect the compressor harness, it's located at the compressor which is under the vehicle on the HR engine I think, you will need to remove the lower engine splash shield to access it probably. Here's a picture of the compressor for the HR engine, it's a variable pitch compressor so it has TWO harnesses, you want the one I circled in red, it's wires will go to the electromagnet located directly behind the pulley wheel. You can unplug both if you want but for the sake of protecting the pins in the harness you should only unplug the clutch magnet one.
You might just poke around with a flashlight and inspection mirror to see if you can see the harness from the top of the engine but I doubt it.
If you have some electrical tape it wouldn't hurt to tape up the harness to prevent moisture from getting inside the engine side of the harness since we're going into the winter months with typically higher humidity and more wet on the roads. Depends on where you live really.
Also, I think $1500 for a compressor only job is insane, it's like $300 for a compressor and takes maybe 4 hours for the total job including refrigerant recovery and refill, it's an $800-$1000 job. I bet the dealership doesn't even charge $1500
Also so you're aware, when your AC is in front window DEFROST mode it does turn the AC compressor on. As air travels across the icy cold evaporator coil inside the dash it removes humidity out of the air. The engine coolant heater core loop is also opened to full hot which makes the air feel hot even though the AC is literally running at the same time.
You will have quite a bit more humidity in the cabin with the AC compressor turned off, you may need to compensate by having a window slightly rolled down to help keep your windows from fogging up. Not a huge deal, basically how every car prior to 1980 worked.
Lol that's total bullshit, it's an electromagnetic clutch, if you disconnect the harness then there's no power, thus the clutch literally could not engage.
I suggest you never go back to that technician since he literally lied to your face.
Yes you can absolutely disconnect the compressor harness, it's located at the compressor which is under the vehicle on the HR engine I think, you will need to remove the lower engine splash shield to access it probably. Here's a picture of the compressor for the HR engine, it's a variable pitch compressor so it has TWO harnesses, you want the one I circled in red, it's wires will go to the electromagnet located directly behind the pulley wheel. You can unplug both if you want but for the sake of protecting the pins in the harness you should only unplug the clutch magnet one.
You might just poke around with a flashlight and inspection mirror to see if you can see the harness from the top of the engine but I doubt it.
If you have some electrical tape it wouldn't hurt to tape up the harness to prevent moisture from getting inside the engine side of the harness since we're going into the winter months with typically higher humidity and more wet on the roads. Depends on where you live really.
Also, I think $1500 for a compressor only job is insane, it's like $300 for a compressor and takes maybe 4 hours for the total job including refrigerant recovery and refill, it's an $800-$1000 job. I bet the dealership doesn't even charge $1500
Hi cleric670, THANK YOU!! You confirmed my suspicion and I appreciate both of your responses and the picture. I can deal with some window fog, especially living in Georgia, where the winters are easy. I will proceed to unplug the clutch harness and wrap it in electrical tape. Before I power up the engine, I will double check to make sure the clutch spins freely, just in case it has bound up, which I'm not aware of. Thanks again for your expert help, have a great Sunday, Gregg
Your HR engine has a serpentine belt, the pulley is almost definitely spinning freely or you would have destroyed the belt by now and it would be throwing your alternator light on the dash due to it not spinning as well.
Your HR engine has a serpentine belt, the pulley is almost definitely spinning freely or you would have destroyed the belt by now and it would be throwing your alternator light on the dash due to it not spinning as well.
YES, VERY GOOD POINT. The serpentine belt would have been a smoking mess, BUT, that's not the case. I'll disengage the harness for the clutch and should be able to skip the compressor R&R for now. Thanks again for your insightful help!
