I was wondering if anyone could help me out here. The bearing in my ac compressor is going bad. I can hear it when i start the truck and then a rattling noise every now and then and its coming from them compressor.

my real problem is i was driving the other day and i smelled smoke (i had the windows down, no air on at all) like a electrical fire smoke. so i quickly pulled over, but didnt see any smoke, and could not tell where it came from, and ever since then i haven't smelled it anymore.

so im guessing my compressor must have fried itself somehow. can someone shed some light on this as to if im right or wrong about my situation?

last question. IF my compressor is fried, can i just unplug the little wires going to it and drive it until i have it fixed? thanks.

4.6 by the way. if that helps.

 

Sounds like your compressor seized causing the clutch to get hot and smoke. Probably has a nice red tint to it. You can unplug the clutch wires if you want.

 

do you know how to unplug the wires to the clutch? i located the wires, but cannot for anything unhook them. i cant tell if theres some sort of clip or anything.

 

Rattling noise for my 98 was clutch hub that disconnected, cheap fix at $50. Same failure on my 97 but waited too long and pulley went too, so bypassed AC with new belt ($35) and new new (grooved) idler pulley ($25).

 

oh okay. yeah its rattling noise, i dont know what its called but its the round metal piece thats like up against the pulley with 3 bolt like things on it. anyways, i was looking to bypass it with dorman pulley to replace the compressor.

did you have to buy a new belt tensioner as well? cause ive read that has to be replaced too when going with no ac. ive never heard of replacing the idler pulley.