1998 Buick Century air conditioner fuse opens

GETOM

MEMBER
1998 BUICK CENTURY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
131,000 MILES

I have replaced the 10 amp air conditioner fuse which controls the clutch, and for a while like a couple of minutes, the fuse holds and the air seems to work fine, then the fuse opens and of course the clutch won't pull in. I replaced the fuse and it lasts for a short while. Can it just be the widings in the clutch and can the cluch be replaced seperately, or does the whole compressor have to be replaced? Is there anything I am missing that could be causing this issue? I don't want to put $600 to $1000 in a car this old just to fix the air conditioning.

Sunday, July 26th, 2009 AT 5:23 PM

1 Reply

LOUT5369

MECHANIC
217 POSTS

First I would unplug the A/C clutch, then put in a fuse, if the fuse still blows out, it's not the clutch doing it. Now it gets tricky, you have go back and check all wiring from fuse panel to compressor, If the fuse doesnt blow, you can replace the clutch & coil asembly but it requires special tools, The clutch is alot cheaper than a Compressor because the system won't have to be emptied to replace the clutch. Good Luck. Lou

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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 10:02 AM