2002 Honda Civic Smoke Coming From Compressor Clutch

Tiny
TNIGHTENGALE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 95,000 MILES
For the last couple of months, I've had a noise coming from under the hood (funny, but it was the same noise on my last 2 Honda's around the same number of miles so I thought it was a Honda 'thing'). Yesterday while driving, the noise changed to more of a rattle and hiss, and then I started smell something and then smoke. I pulled over and it seems that the smoke was coming from the compressor clutch. I let it cool off and drove a bit further. This time I checked with the car still running and it appeared as though a twirling billow of smoke was coming from the AC clutch. Each time I would start the car now, I hear this loud wind and click kind of noise.
A few months ago, because the thermal protector wiring on my AC compressor was changed due to rotting wires, my AC compressor would run all the time. Because of this, until I could replace the thermal protector set, when winter came, I decided to pull the fuse to shut the compressor off, so I don't believe the compressor is currently running.

Long story short, I think the problem is just the compressor clutch that needs to be replaced. (I HOPE!) How would I know the difference between a bad AC clutch vs. A seized AC compressor?

PLEASE HELP!
Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 8:30 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi tnightengale,

Turn the central part of the compressor pulley and if it easily turns with little effort required then the compressor is not seized.

If it is seized, you would have diffiulty turning it.
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Friday, March 12th, 2010 AT 1:56 PM

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