Searched far and wide to my a/c problem with no answer. I want to share the answer and repair with you all. I have a 2001 quad cab 1500 4x4 with a 5.9 liter 360 c.i.d. After 20 minutes of run time or higher rpms while reving the engine, the a/c compressor stops running. After jumpering out the high and low pressure switches i had 13.6 volts to the clutch plug on the harness at the compressor. The compressor clutch was the culprit. Because the cost of the clutch was close to the price of the compressor, i replaced it with a new compressor assembly, pag oil and a new reciever drier.The orofice is not in the outlet of the condenser as the books say but is farther towards the reciever in the liquid line. Considering the system worked great when the clutch was working i did not replace the orofice.I did purchase the parts as a complete kit for $340 not including 2# r-134a. Works like new.

I have read many forums with other guys having the same described problem with the dealer changing out the mixed air door assembly or control panel with no resolution only to charge the customer a huge bill. The key to resolving this problem for me was to get the clutch plug apart which is very hard.Prove your voltage to the pump.if it is present, the clutch is failing under load. good luck

 

Thatnks for posting the helpful info. I havn't had a problem (knock on wood) with my a/c, but im glad to see that if i do i have something to check. Again, thanks.

 

Was the clutch in fact bad or was the gap to wide? as the clutch gets some wear on it the gap widens and it will drop out occasionally and finally, when wide enough, it won't engage at all. I've seen too many good compressors/clutches given up due to this when all it needed was a (shop charge) adjustment.
WC

 

Most shops seem to me to not understand the problem in the first place so i would not waste my money. That does not mean there are not good techs out there, it just means that my trust level is low. To answer your question, the feeler gauge reading was in tollerance. The clutch coil would ohm open after being under load for a short time.My understanding is that if the clutch warmed up it would engage better not worse as the clutch media would expand.My problem was purely electrical and changed with temperature.I see this in hvac with relays contactors and fuses all of the time.

 

By the way, got my parts from the below place:
Meridian Auto Parts
www.meridianautoparts.com

 

I had the same problem with my AC. The AC would run for about 15 minutes and turn off. I removed the clutch (renting clutch remover tool from Autozone) and ground the end of the shaft of the clutch down (with a bench grinder) a little bit so that when installed it sits closer to the compressor pulley. Don't grind down too much or the clutch will rub on the pulley all the time. Reinstalled it and the A/C stays on all the time now, thank goodness being from Fort Worth, TX.

2001 Dodge RAM
5.9L 360 V8 187k
4x4
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