AC Compressor Seized?

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi All

I'm after a very quick conformation of an issue I have... Driving home from holiday, Jag XJ started making a horrible noise (happily not far from home).

On getting home, I suspected something on the accessory drive belt (that or the engine was toast!). So I removed the drive belt and started the car again briefly - no noise, so that's a relief.

Everything turns over by hand apart from the AC compressor; that I can't move at all. I've tried turning the AC on and off to listen for the clutch kicking in and out, but that doesn't seem to work either. I'm assuming even with the clutch engaged though it should turn over with a little resistance?

So just quickly before I start ordering parts, can someone confirm the AC compressor should be able to be turned over by hand please?

Many Thanks

[Chris32345]

Without the clutch engaged it should easily turn over by hand as the outside should move around the centre

With it engaged on the other hand it would be a lot more stiff and the center should move with the outside

[Lewis's Friend]

Chris32345 said:

Without the clutch engaged it should easily turn over by hand as the outside should move around the centre

With it engaged on the other hand it would be a lot more stiff and the center should move with the outside

Cheers for that - with the climate control completely off, I can't turn it at all. I just haven't ever noticed how stiff an AC pump would normally be!

[Richard-D]

With it off the ac pump effectively becomes an idler bearing. Sometimes the clutches seize up

[HJG]

The AC compressor has a fusible link in the front of the pulley. This device is what would have saved the rest of the auxiliary drive system when the AC compressor seized. Check to see if this has broken to confirm AC compressor failure.