Ok so when the switch for the A/C is "on", smoke comes from the hood like crazy. I know very little about cars, but im a poor college student making the best of my 2001 Grand Caravan with 174k.

From what i can understand from google. Is that my ac clutch is working just fine. But my ac compressor has seized. Does this sound correct? If so, can i take it apart and...unseize it or something? Thanks!

 

to me does sound like u have a issue with the ac compressor. when u turn the ac on the clutch engages but the compressor does not run causing the belt to possibly slip on the pully. check the inside of belt. if it is this u need to have the compressor replaced. now i say if u technical u probably could do this with the right tools but refrigerant is dangerous that should be done by someone licensed.

 

same problem with my 2000 Grand Caravan. I took it to 2 places. I was quotes a price of approx $1300.00.

Both places said they would not guarantee it if they replaced just the compressor because debris from the compressor is likely in the system. Does this sound right?

I want to disable the compressor for now but don't know which fuse controls the compressor clutch. Any help out there?

 

there are diagrams/picture on the cap of the fuse box. Find the one that reads "A/C compressor relay", and pull that relay out. It is a Black Cubical thing with 4 or 5 Pronges at the bottom.

 

Sounds good. Can it be fixed once dismantled? Or must it be replaced?

 

Chances are good the compressor had an internal failure. You cannot get parts for the internal components that I am aware of. You would have to replace the entire compressor. You would also want to at least replace the filter / drier. If enough metal was introduced into the system, more components would also need to be flushed or replaced.