A/C Compressor Clutch Fails Immediately - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

soneal4 · 08-07-2020, 12:57 PM

Good Afternoon,

I am trying to fix the A/C on my mom's 2010 2SS. The clutch would not engage and the system was dry. I purchased the compressor, expansion valve, condenser and gaskets. After all parts were installed and the system was vacuumed out and re-filled, the compressor would not engage. I measured the resistance at the coil and it was OL. I figured it was a bad compressor, so I got another new compressor and tested the resistance at the coil before the install. The second new compressor measured 3.5 ohms. I installed the compressor, filled the system and and attempted to turn on the A/C. As soon as power was supplied to the compressor, the fuse blew. The clutch never engaged and the coil now reads OL between the two leads.

I found a forum from someone with a PT cruiser that has a similar problem and it ended up being the high pressure switch. A new high pressure switch for the Camaro did read completely different than the one currently installed.

I'm here hoping someone can validate that the high pressure sensor could cause the clutch coil to burn up immediately like it is doing, before I burn a third compressor coil. I'm going to have to send her to the shop, but they want thousands to fix it.

Thank you for any advice you can provide.

gtstorey · 08-10-2020, 08:58 AM

I don't think a bad switch would burn up the compressor by itself. If the system is way overcharged or bloicked a bad switch might not protect the compressor from trying to run against the high pressure.

soneal4 · 08-18-2020, 04:53 AM

After installing a new high pressure switch, relay and a third compressor, its working. It could have been the GPD compressors too I suppose. I went with ACDELCO this last time. Its blowing cold again, thanks all.

08-07-2020, 12:57 PM	#1
soneal4 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Virginia Posts: 2	A/C Compressor Clutch Fails Immediately Good Afternoon, I am trying to fix the A/C on my mom's 2010 2SS. The clutch would not engage and the system was dry. I purchased the compressor, expansion valve, condenser and gaskets. After all parts were installed and the system was vacuumed out and re-filled, the compressor would not engage. I measured the resistance at the coil and it was OL. I figured it was a bad compressor, so I got another new compressor and tested the resistance at the coil before the install. The second new compressor measured 3.5 ohms. I installed the compressor, filled the system and and attempted to turn on the A/C. As soon as power was supplied to the compressor, the fuse blew. The clutch never engaged and the coil now reads OL between the two leads. I found a forum from someone with a PT cruiser that has a similar problem and it ended up being the high pressure switch. A new high pressure switch for the Camaro did read completely different than the one currently installed. I'm here hoping someone can validate that the high pressure sensor could cause the clutch coil to burn up immediately like it is doing, before I burn a third compressor coil. I'm going to have to send her to the shop, but they want thousands to fix it. Thank you for any advice you can provide.

08-10-2020, 08:58 AM	#2
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,451	I don't think a bad switch would burn up the compressor by itself. If the system is way overcharged or bloicked a bad switch might not protect the compressor from trying to run against the high pressure.

08-18-2020, 04:53 AM	#3
soneal4 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Virginia Posts: 2	After installing a new high pressure switch, relay and a third compressor, its working. It could have been the GPD compressors too I suppose. I went with ACDELCO this last time. Its blowing cold again, thanks all.