issue with my A/C clutch not engaging

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
217,000 MILES • 6.0L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
KOBENORTON
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have been having an issue with my A/C clutch not engaging. I have pulled the relay and jumped the terminals and it will engage that way. So I’m assuming that either the high or low pressure switch is bad. I will replace both beings they aren’t too expensive. But I am wondering if it would be okay to just leave the relay jumped for the time being? It’s over 100 degrees so I didn’t know if I could just allow the clutch to stay engaged without damaging anything. I was also thinking about just running two wires from the relay where I would typically have it jumped, to a switch and have the switch in the cab, so I could manually turn the clutch in and off. If I did do that how often would I want to cycle the clutch? What are the risks of letting the compressor stay engaged too Long?
Jul 3, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

First, I would assume nothing as far as the switches until testing is done and verified. I attached a wiring diagram for you to view. Check the high-pressure switch for power and the low side is a transducer.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

As far as running it bypassed, you will ice up the evaporator to the point that you could damage the compressor since it has no protection.

Roy

Jul 4, 2021 at 5:12 AM