car dies when i turn on ac.

[puffalot1977]

i have a 98 gt. last year the ac worked amazingly. this year when i turn it on it makes sum wat of a squeling sound and usually the car dies rite away. the compressor isnt locked up.

[dsmuts]

It might be locking up when you turn it on.

[puffalot1977]

so do i need to change out the compressor??

[dsmuts]

Most likely but I'm not positive.

[FordMan77]

Sounds like a bad compressor. It's putting such a load on the motor that it kills it. That squeal you hear is likely the compressor bearings seizing up and the belt slipping.

[puffalot1977]

are they hard to change out??

[dsmuts]

They are super easy if the front manifold is out of the way lol. I've never done one any other way though so I'm not sure how bad it would be.

[Scottydoggs]

take the belt off to see if it stalls after you start it.

if the clutch on the compressor is shot, just buy a new compressor. changing its not worth it in the long run.

if you plan on doing this yourself, find a shop to vac out the a/c system for you, go home swap your compressor and its best to swap the orifice tube as well at the same time. take it back to the shop and re use your old R what ever it is that the shop has on hold for you. of course they will charge you to empty and refill your system but you know it was done right.

[puffalot1977]

i noticed that when the compressor goes to kick on it makes a like hiss noise and does it when it kicks off. its not locked up to make the belt squel. but also noticed it sumtimes makes the gauges on dash go goofy and the trac control lite come on .