Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

How to test the AC compressor clutch coil

If your AC compressor clutch is not engaging, test the AC compressor clutch coil

The AC compressor clutch coil is responsible for pulling in the clutch disc to engage the AC compressor. The coil is an electromagnet that generates a strong enough magnetic field to pull in the clutch disc.  If you have power and ground to the clutch coil and it doesn’t work, here’s the procedure to test the AC compressor clutch coil.

Test the AC clutch coil — step by step

Set your multimeter to the Ω scale. Disconnect the electrical connector from the clutch coil and touch the two probes from your multimeter to the 2 terminals in the clutch coil connector. If there’s only one terminal, connect one probe to the terminal and the other probe to a ground location on the compressor.

The correct resistance for an AC compressor clutch coil typically falls within a range of 3 to 5 ohms (Ω). However, it’s important to note that this is a general guideline, and the exact acceptable range can vary depending on the specific compressor model and manufacturer.

If your reading is less than 2.0 ohms: This could indicate a short circuit in the coil, which would allow too much current to flow and potentially damage the coil.
A reading of 0.L indicates an open in the clutch coil. This could indicate an open circuit in the coil, which would prevent any current from flowing and prevent the clutch from engaging.

A reading below 2-Ω or above 5Ω indicates a bad coil

What goes wrong with a clutch coil?

The clutch coil can overheat and develop and internal short or the windings may develop an open. The best way to test a clutch coil with with a digital multimeter set to the OHMS scale.

ac compressor clutch coil

With your multimeter set to the Ω scale, touch the two leads to the two terminals on the compressor clutch coil.

 

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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