[Kenr]

AC compressor is going out or maybe a bad AC clutch pulley on my 1999 3.1L LS... one of the two.

My question is does anybody have any experience with routing around the AC compressor pulley with a smaller belt? is it a good idea as a temporary "fix"? what size belt? I'm gonna replace the AC compressor and dryer in the spring when its a little warmer but want to delay the repair if at all possible.

 

[Starship]

Welcome to the forum. The way the serpentine belt is set up, you can't really eliminate the A/C compressor. They do have something called a A/C compressor bypass pulley that you can install in place of the compressor. Look for Dorman part 34217.

 

[Kenr]

Welcome to the forum. The way the serpentine belt is set up, you can't really eliminate the A/C compressor. They do have something called a A/C compressor bypass pulley that you can install in place of the compressor. Look for Dorman part 34217.

thanks for the reply, so I would have to remove the compressor, then install the bypass pulley??

Is it possible to replace only the AC clutch pulley and not the whole compressor and dryer? The compressor holds a charge and the AC works fine (blows cold air), there is just a jingling noise that we localized to the compressor pulley...

 

[Starship]

Yes to both. You'll need a universal spanner wrench to take off the compressor clutch plate and snap ring pliers to disassemble the rest (basically the clutch assembly, piece by piece). I'm not sure if it's something you want to tackle, though, if you've never even seen one taken apart.

 

[Kenr]

well I'll have some experienced help, so we'll see what he wants to do. thanks for the reply and I'll post once we finish the job.

On a side note, looks like I bent some set-in plate when I put the steering column cover back on (messing with the headlight switch) now it clicks and impinges when I turn the steering wheel... basically I think I should keep my paws off of the car

 

[Starship]

Post some pictures if you can. It'll help others.

On the steering wheel noise, it may not be the "steering column cover" but the MFS itself. You may have damaged it like HGFireHazard did but not as severely. See thread http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5993.

 

[Kenr]

I checked out that thread and that is EXACTLY the problem. I too bent the prong on the MFS (my buddy who is a certified mechanic looked at it last night and we "fixed" it.) and that is what was bending the brass ring. Our guess was that was a horn ground of some sort because we took it out (the brass ring and the bent prong) which fixed the steering problem but now the horn does not work. By the way the turn signal cam works just fine, for right now anyway.

From the other thread it looks like that other guy fixed it for $29?? We were just gonna let it be and install a horn button. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Starship]

You're quite welcome. If the MFS works otherwise, I guess you can wait until it really gives out (not that I'd wish for it to). Hope you'll can get a response on the other thread.