Seized A/C compressor

Tiny
RODNEY C.
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My mother's car's serpentine belt had broken and the alternator had seized when I tried to turn all the pulleys without the belt on I could not turn the A/C compressor by hand. Wasn't sure if maybe it only engaged when started. So I put the new belt on and charged her dead battery when I tried to start it it would not turn over at all. So my questions are 1) Could this be the battery not having enough power? 2) What belt would I need to bypass the A/C compressor on this vehicle?
Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 AT 12:33 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
If the battery is charged or new, it should start the engine. If the compressor is locked up then it could be the issue. I would just remove the belt again and start the engine. If it starts then clearly something on the drive belt system is preventing the starter from turning the crank.

At this point you have three options. Fix the pulley (compressor in this instance), bypass it with a pulley bypass, or get a belt for your engine with no AC and route it as such.

Let me know if you have questions but the next step is to see if it starts with no belt. If not we have another issue which may be the battery if it has a shorted cell.
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Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
RODNEY C.
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
A/C compressor is definitely seized. Could you tell me what belt to get to bypass it? I'm broke and can't afford an A/C bypass pulley. Thank you
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Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 AT 7:34 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Unfortunately, I am not finding an option with no AC which means it comes standard. I am sure there is a belt out there but it isn't listed. The easiest thing to do is remove the belt and run a string around the pulleys and leave it off the AC pulley and then get a belt of that length as they sell belts in different length increments.

Here is a video that shows someone doing it. Notice how he went about a half inch shorter then what he measured which gave him the proper tension.

Once you know the length, you won't buy replacement belts for your engine you will just by that length belt.

https://youtu.be/eoIHNo41DtQ
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Friday, January 24th, 2020 AT 7:10 PM

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