lost my a/c. So could use a little help. You can push the A/C button, light comes on but no A/C. Clutch doesn't kick on. If I pull the harness from the A/C clutch, should I have 12 volts across that connection? Any way to take a resistance reading on clutch? Is it hard to pull the clutch off and replace? or do you have to replace the whole compressor?

Maybe it's low on freon. If it is the pressure switch will not allow the clutch to engage.

Not sure if it has changed or not but you used to have to buy the whole compressor because nobody sold just the clutch.. I thought maybe there was some reason that you could not change it so after I swapped the new compressor in I pulled the bad one apart,, easy to swap just the clutch if you can buy it.. even if I had to buy the whole compressor I would just swap the clutch..

Hope you find out what is wrong, I got one in the same boat. A lot of trouble with acs on those years. From what I've read most of the time it's a modual goes bad $$$. I hot wired mine to cut in the clutch, worked for awhile, now nothing. New ac $250-350 depending on where you go, no one has just the clutch, screwed again by Dodge. They want that money. That's the one thing learned from Mercedes, keep them in the shop!

Yes you should have 12v. If you have 12v and the clutch does not kick on, then you're on the right track. but if you have no voltage, then add freon.


money is on freon being low. I've been battling a leak in mine for a couple summers now. I cannot find the leak with dye, shop air and soapy water, and even replaced the evaporator under the dash because the cummins forum guys said that's a common failure point but because of location you can't see it or get to it for troubleshooting.

Still leaks, and I cannot find it. Going to have to try a sniffer test with professional equipment next

"Yes you should have 12v. If you have 12v and the clutch does not kick on, then you're on the right track. but if you have no voltage, then add freon."

If the clutch has no voltage coming to it and won't start, how can the system be charged with more freon?

adding freon to the cummins is no different than adding freon to any other automotive AC system. grab a can from walmart for $8, a cheap AC fill hose, typically right next to the cans of freon. Add it to the low pressure port on the AC system while engine is running and AC is switched on. DO NOT ADD TO THE HIGH PRESSURE PORT! hold the can upside down while it's filling the system.

on my 06 24v, the low pressure port is on the top of the drier on the firewall.

System doesn't need to be perfectly full to kick the compressor clutch in. It will start when there is enough pressure to engage the low pressure switch.

^^^^
This.

Good chance the clutch is bad. Mine went out early spring '15 ('06 2500 CTD). Diagnosed it down to the clutch after confirming with my gauges it was full of freon. Ordered one off e-bag. Pulled the old one and discovered the front seal was starting to seep. E-mailed the seller and was able to return the clutch and buy a clutch/compressor assy. from him. You can R&R the clutch by unbolting the compressor and letting it dangle but it is a PITA. I removed the inner fender to have more room to work but it was still a pain.



Tim

Unless you have a Micropod, you won't be able to test the clutch through the system. The TIPM controls the A/C clutch through a transistor. When a circuit problem is detected, it shuts off the driver. You can jump power to the clutch with a Power Probe or similar to verify it's the clutch. Changing it out is pretty easy. You really need to have the software updated in the TIPM, as they changed the strategy on A/C clutch engagement that led to the failure in the first place! If you don't do that, you'll have to perform a battery disconnect to reset the TIPM so it will engage the A/C compressor (remember the driver is turned off).

As far as filling it with a can, I'd recommend having it done with an A/C machine. It's a fairly large system, 1.88 lbs., but a few tenths over or under, and it won't cool very well and you risk damaging the compressor. Spend the $100 and have it done right.

so all in all its going to the dealer.... already tried to add Freon last year when it went. its full. plus bend the little tire stem at the drier. Heading to Florida soon. not driving with out. Plus the truck hasn't had any updates thru a dealer since I cant remember when. So guess bend over and let dodge do the job. I hate that cause I like doing most of my work, but don't have any A/C tools. Thanks all for the input. Bought it with 29k and have 100k on it now . only done u-joint, exhaust, now going to do some front end work. been a good truck

I used anouther pigtail connector then ran wires to a on-off switch. Clutch engaged and air was cold for a few hours then quit, I think it's completely gone now. In Va I checked and no one sells just the clutch, new AC prices range between $250-350. Before clutch would start-stop-start-stop like that (wouldn't make a full turn) for about three minutes. Mine did have smoke-vapor come out of a plug on the compressor, what was that all about?
Btw 06 3500 ctd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121598779570?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true



Tim

Check the electric fan clutch and make sure its working, if not the replacement compressor & AC clutch may not last very long. Was on vacation when my AC quit, Myrtle Beach in August, it was hot and my wife needs AC (medical reasons). I tried adding Freon but no help, went to the local dodge dealer and they trouble shot it to some modules and other stuff including the compressor, aprox $1600 if I wanted it fixed. Called a buddy back home that works at a dodge dealer and he said they were wrong and most likely the clutch was bad. Cut to the chase, got back home and replaced the compressor and electric fan clutch and its been working fine. From what I read on TDR the fan clutch goes bad and causes the AC clutch to work harder due to the higher temps & pressures and then it fails. If the fan clutch is working you will hear the roar of the fan blades when it comes on, probably won't notice any temp change when its broke. Btw the compressor is easy to change, it comes out from the bottom, hopefully you have or have access to AC gauges & a vacuum pump. Good luck!