FIXED! Car A/C Compressor Clutch Won't Engage

If your Air Conditioning compressor isn't working (the clutch won't engage) then watch this video. The A/C switch on the dash switches the compressor on, with one exception. If the PCM (powertrain control module) senses low pressure in the low pressure fluid line, it will stop the compressor clutch from engaging to prevent any damage. This is because low pressure = low fluid, and r 134a is also oil/lubricant for the compressor and if you don't have fluid then you will damage the compressor. HOWEVER, if you cannot turn the compressor on, you cannot recharge your AC levels (grrrr). So you need to use a paper clip to bypass the relay switch and force the clutch to engage. You can then recharge the freon and re install the relay switch and it will sense more pressure and the clutch will engage by itself.

[@maxeyac]

Never throw your keys inside the car and shut the door. Words from a wise old man. lol

[@reho4083]

On the roof? Thats dumb! I useally throw them in the trunk..

[@AliceTellsAll]

Been there

[@edwing5608]

Why

[@maxeyac]

@@edwing5608 because you may accidentally lock the door with them inside.

[@blanks1ate]

Learned the hard way..

[@jacekszczygiel2801]

Thank you for Sharing your knowledge about jumping the AC clutch for a car specially in hot Phoenix Arizona climate

[@DavidBaanstra]

Excellent workaround. Good detail quoting the pin numbers. ...might be the most helpful auto-fix-video I've ever used. Thanks man

[@suemwilliams]

Great little video, detailed and concise. Great tip about bypassing the relay to get the compressor to engage. Many thanks. Worked perfectly on my '99 Blazer. Saved big bucks! This young man knows his stuff!

[@HeartlessHopelessRecords]

11 years ago this video was made and it's still helping people across the states murica

[@jeremyyoung9479]

You are the man! My hoopty pick up with about 200,000 had no A/C and only one window worked. Now it’s ice cold!!!! Home Depot trips will be much more comfortable, all for the small price of a paper clip! Thanks!

[@thatguy-cd5rq]

3 trips to an auto parts store and 2 hrs of KZbin videos later and this did the trick. Thanks a lot bro you save me a lot of money on shop fees. Keep up the good work. And wow a damn paper clip lol good job

[@napierdelticdiesel]

Great video. With this info I charged up my 4th gen Camaro with a can of 134a. The paper clip trick and info'ing on which terminals to use saved me time. It now blows cool!

[@brucegasser7378]

This video is still helping people, including me today. I had to skip around with the paperclip to find the right pins on my relay. My system initially had zero pressure. Now its working fine.

[@kmoppert]

Tried your idea on my sons 2004 cavalier and it worked perfect. Thank you.Excellent descriptions and easy step by step.

[@MotorCityPlayer]

I have an 02 cavalier that has a compressor that won't engage either. Iam going to try this paper lip idea but what ended up happening with your sons car? Was there a broken part that caused the compressor to not engage in the first place?

[@TheAlienilluminati]

Just watched your video. You are very good at instructing. Excellent job. I saw another of your videos too. I was wondering if mine wasn't engaging because the AC was low, and now I have my answer. Good job young man!

[@VTOROTV]

Hey, thanks alot for this video!! Its saved my first clients AC. Everywhere else told him that he needed to change the compressor. you made me look like a genius!! Thanks again and it does really work!!!

[@ChopsDV8]

Worked perfectly on a 2001 Chevy Silverado. It reset the computer sensor and I plugged back in the relay and it's good to go. Thanks for the post.

[@ReallyOnaRoll]

Air conditioner blowing hot air not cold air was a problem for my 2002 Honda Accord too, until I realized that after replacing the alternator, we had not FULLY reconnected the lower wire connector fitting by the radiator fan. So electrical current was not getting to the AC compressor. Therefore the fan belt on the pulley turned it, but it's clutch was not engaging and air blew hot not cold. The fix was, after reaching in from underneath the car on the passenger side, I pushed the small wire fitting back into reconnection, and heard a "SNAP!" That was the fix - and back inside the car, the AC was blowing cold air once again! (The other end of that little wire leads directly to the bottom of the alternator, so make sure it's intact there, also.)

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

Jeff Teachworth ...i think I did the same thing

[@aaronlee9651]

Nice i just replaced my alternator. I bet this is the prob. Thank you!!!

[@chuckcamacho9970]

The clutch in the AC did not engage, so I followed this guy's instruction with the paper clip and clutch was fine...all this time (almost a year without AC) the problem was a g.. damn FUSE ! I visually checked it before and "thought" it was OK - today I used a VOM to test all the connections and sure enough the fuse was blown, I changed it and AC is working again...O'reillys wanted to sell me a compressor $353.00...thanks guy for the video.

[@willfn112]

Good job man. I spent 45 min listening to 10 different jackasses when I finally get to your video you have the quick and easy simple solution. Yes, I just needed to charge my a/c system after installing the new compressor. Keep up the good work man

[@UberToeknee]

I have to try this. Just replaced my Accumulator and Compressor and the darn thing will not engage! Thanks for this AND if it does work Thanks a million!

[@cleofasgalang4488]

Thank you so much for this! And thank you for pointing out that the clutch will not engage if the refrigerant level/pressure is low. God bless

[@oroguy580]

Thank you VERY much for this solution to my problem. It is a brand-new compressor and clutch with a new condensor and new accumulator. Thought for a while that it was all bad. Not after watching this. Thanks again.

[@TheJwan2]

oro guy Yep, mine works now as well,,, Praise God!!!

[@kwyld]

Thanks a lot man got my a/c to work by doing this. Just had to fill it up with freon while the paperclip was forcing my compressor to work. I let it run for a bit with it in there then replaced it back with the fuse and my air conditioner works now Good stuff!

[@Sheepdog_X]

THANKS FOR THIS!! Totally helped me troubleshoot my 94 Z28 compressor not working. Now I know the compressor and clutch do work and have allowed me to top off the refrigerant. Problem now is, with relay back in place, compressor and clutch do not work...

[@WhatZitTooYaaa]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was about to change the whole compressor...

[@wesleycoleman559]

Dude. This video helped me fix my AC! Thanks dude! It’s tremendous!

[@vnguyen9327]

Thank you and thank you !just because you mention about the "freon " ...without Freon the clutch wont engage.

[@slliks67]

Yup helped me alot, I did this on my 98 chevy suburban and sure enough it worked. After i engaged i heard a loud hissing where the hoses go into the firewall of the truck and they seem pretty loose, therefore the air is not getting in to the cabin. Thanx for the tip

[@TurboSS7423]

Read the whole thread guy. Depending on how low the freon is, the clutch locking up won't allow you to add any freon. I couldn't add any freon, bypassed it like this, which allowed me to add freon and now I am good again.

[@stillness4610]

Thank you. Now I can troubleshoot the system and the relay, due to your help. Thanks a bunch for the trick information.

[@shalomisrael5]

thanks ....I fixed my Ac ...my truck was not outing Ac and me and my wife drive about 1 HR to work...and it is so worm...way to go ...thanks...good mechanical improvision

[@perryheatherly1808]

You Da Man. My 1997 Z71 had set up for a year. I had to put a remanufactured engine in it. The compressor was not coming on at all. I used the paper clip and it kicked right on. It didn't even need freon. I guess it had got stiff. Once it broke loose it came on and off with the relay in place. Thanks man.

[@TheHappyScottsman]

Did it! Charged it! And now, it works! Thanks young car genius!

[@raymondbartosz4434]

don't you wonder where all the freon went, you might have a leak

[@garrettaverett2226]

Damn. Old ass video but totally saved me. Worked like a charm and I’ve finally got ac again!! I never comment on videos but I’m so happy with this one I had to

[@MrTricksterWins]

Thank you sooooo much! I've been on google for 2 days trying to fix my AC... This worked! Thank you so f***ing much

[@rockinjoecomedy]

My Hyundai is now blowing nice frigid air thanks to you and the paperclip trick.

[@ca2k747]

Ik your comment is old, but which fuse did you put the paper clip into, I have a 07 sonata

[@illestneon]

Wow, after reading a lot of these comments I can't believe how naive some people are. The ONLY purpose to using the paperclip is to "quickly"check and see if the clutch is engaging so you know if the clutch is good or bad. PEOPLE.......you're not supposed to leave the paperclip in as a fix. Smh!

[@racer668]

lol

[@zaneorr2520]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@letsbfrank7084]

I just paper clipped the shit outta my fuse box. This video is awesome

[@jasonsparshott4615]

Ryan McMicken wow since it’s a relay not a fuse I wonder who is naive

[@barbarakearney4728]

Ryan McMicken I was very impressed with your video. I could not figure out which plug was correct. Anyway I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra and I couldn’t with a clear conclusion which plug was correct I seem to have a different type of plug. I’ve priced out the cost of a new compressor and clutch and I’ve repaired the dash every knob was in need of adjustment and they are now working. Ya any way I’ve got the information to replace it but I’d feel better if I got a better check before I go through the cost and trouble. I’ve had it in the shop Manee times

[@rcagle123]

Good info. Bypass the relay long enough to charge the system. Pull jump wire off and plug the relay back in.

[@TruMystik]

THIS SINGLE VIDEO HELPED ME ACTUALLY GET MY A/C WORKING!!!! This is after I completely replaced the entire unit including AC compressor and Expansion Valve here in my home garage. THIS VIDEO was the final step, and the MISSING LINK for me to get my A/C running! And trust me it is HOT during the summer!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sarawakiansborneo418]

Hi sir..i got the same prob as yours..at the first ok .but after a weeks the prob come again.How to bypass 4 pin relay sir?tq..honda civic model 1996.

[@dukebourassa8599]

THANK YOU....... The local a/c guy told me my system was shot and wanted $600 plus to replace it all . i found your video and tried it. What do you know my a/c compressor is NOT shot . $40 for a refill and seal kit with the hose and gauge included and I HAVE AIR AGAIN....... Amazing thank you

[@richie929rr]

thank you for posting this video. by jumping the fuse after i replaced my compressor it engaged and i was able to charge the system . it would not engage and charge with just the fuse in .

[@ComicOzzieSU]

Man you saved me a fortune. I was about ready to pitch my compressor! I thought it was shot. Just needed that clutch engaged so it would take a charge. I am in your debt.

[@thefireman2854]

Thank you, I am trying to diagnose the problem with my AC. At least this will tell me if the clutch is working.

[@sept201962]

Sweet Buddy !! Worked perfect, thanks for doing this !!!!

[@proto35]

Thanks for the save ! I was worried my compressor seized due to winter rust - after a failed attempt at refilling it only reassured me more. I have heard of jumping the compressor though wasn't sure as to how. Much thanks! AC be blowing cold air like a champ again.

[@Alex-pp7pr]

Was your compressor engaging with the car and AC running? My car's compressor is not engaging and I tried to apply the hose to add freon and the gauge went to red and now i'm stuck. My fuse doesn't have the pin numbers and don't want to short it out and fear I may need another compressor

[@proto35]

Alex Mace mine wasn’t engaging at all. My fuse also didn’t have the numbers. I got the paper clip and tried a few different holes and nothing , until I found the right pairing then bam ! She worked. If you see a little arc don’t panic. Just leave it there for a little bit to fill the lines. The psi spikes because without the compressor on , it’s built up in the gauge line and not actually entering the car. The second you turn it on you’ll see it drop. Once it got to around 30psi , I tested it with the fuse back in. Worked fine. Then I topped it up to 36-38 or so psi.

[@Alex-pp7pr]

@@proto35 I'm glad it worked for you. I haven't figured out as of yet

[@proto35]

Alex Mace if you tried all the combos , then it is possible you lost the compressor :/ I’d still a attempt a few more things. It’s possible the outside “clutch” disk i believe is called , could just be loose. A little tricky when I did googling but keep trying ! Because it ain’t cheap.

[@daronvague7372]

Yep help me alot thank you, only found out I need to change the Low pressure switch.

[@derekholms6171]

Good stuff man. I just bought a new compressor. The shop said the compressor was no good. They couldn't fix my A/C. Strange!

[@ronbayan]

Thanks for the help this vid help me understand more why my ac is not working. I noticed that compressor clutch is not engaging and I'm checking the relay now....hope it works.

[@vangsta17]

thanks to you, mine works now but i have a question. without any tests done but with this trick my ac clutch is engaging after adding a full 18oz. bottle of R134a freon, do i still need to add some PAG 46 oil?

[@anudamiana]

Each switch will disengage your compressor clutch (I think the low one is the one bypassed in this awesome vid, here). So...it could be that your compressor is not working ideally--which would obviously cause a lack of cool air... I'm sure there's tons of other reasons you're dealing with warm air, and I hope someone will take a minute to list some other options to explore for you...(I plan on checking back to see if more insight from more experienced folks shows up--Love learning stuff!)

[@kenmifsud8008]

Thanks kid I was stumped. My system is working fine now way to go

[@ivanm1384]

Saved me some money!! Thanks for the vid bud!

[@Pacheko214]

i did this on my tahoe 2 years ago.. my Ac still working great

[@adrianemelvin9089]

what year is your tahoe?

[@keithcerce8445]

Cool, thanks and this guy gets straight to the point

[@66labatt]

Thank you for the info you helped me alot and made it more simple to understand! And Nice Car by the way!

[@valdiviamarquez]

thank you,so much.your video really help me fix and refill my 2004 kia sorento. blessings.

[@raynewton839]

I then let it run for 15 minutes. Turned off my truck and put my AC clutch relay back in place.. turned on the truck and activated the AC.. Boom! Nice Cool Air! So all I intend on doing in a couple weeks it check to see if my pressure went down severely to know if I have a leak.. but as of now. I have AC that works with all the safety devices in place.! Good looking out on the information!

[@herrcobblermachen]

So far so good! thank you so much! Ive been saying about this problem to my gf "If something goes wrong with your car its likely that its got a common problem/solution amoung that particular series, and its a known issue." Sure enough. Thanks brah!

[@slvrserfr]

Informative, sounds like the alternator bearing went bad the way it sounded, that whining noise when the engine is running is a symptom.

[@lincoln7echo]

Awesome. Worked. Saved me some money today, thanks.

[@aboutmyfathersbusiness8324]

I bypasses the cycling switch and it engaged. I am now reading that it is bad for the system as it may freeze over, not cycling on or off. Problem is I bypassed the cycling switch 15 years ago. It is still running very cool:)

[@ecird60]

Fantastic video and information, worked like a champ and saved me alot of money!

[@reverend77014]

Thanks it showed me where the problem was. I put in a new relay and the ac is fine. Thanks your video helped me

[@vinnypassero2951]

On some cars you don't need to force the compressor clutch to engage to add refrigerant. I bought the 39 dollar pressurized can with a gauge on the hose and did everything you described except for forcing my compressor clutch to engage. After five or six squeezes, the gauge finally moved up from zero into the low range and the compressor started. Ten more squeezes and the can was empty and the ac was blowing ice cold again in my 2000 Nissan Altima. The cans are pressurized enough that they force the refrigerant into the system.

[@ScreenPrintR]

Thanks Vinny, My gauged never moved off the low. Guess I have to keep pumping as you said.

[@doingthingsandstuff915]

Never put the stuff from a store in your ac should be 134a only the stuff in small cans will ruin your system

[@Ace1000ks19751982]

How do you place the paper clip on the jumper, because my car has two prongs. The description on how to place the paper clips is very vague.

[@milkman4959]

Thanks buddy worked perfectly on my jeep wrangler

[@LeaperChad7]

There is the paper clip test. Wow. Pretty simple, it seems. Very helpful video young fella. I'll try this. Thanks for transmit of video post.

[@anudamiana]

Wonderful vid! A quick moment of breaking protocol in order to remedy the situation causing issues is sometimes unavoidable...so, yes, it's not a 24/7 permanent fix to use, but it's a very helpful bit of information you've put together, here. Thank you! It'll help me immensely.

[@DisJustinIsRaw]

Thank you very much dude mine is working now only help i fond was here keep posting more!!

[@lamiego]

Excellent video, straight to the point

[@rosewhite---]

Does anyone remember the GM - Buick - from early 1960s that had a small compresser pumping into a tank to be fed into engine for short boost when overtaking? I saw it featured in HOT ROD.

[@Sam_splatter]

20 to 40 bucks. just did it today. i went ahead and sprung for the expensive big can and it worked beautifully.

[@MrTj2077]

I was struggling with this in my Ford Focus 2002 and my electro mechanic did add a Relay at the High pressure sensor and connected it to the fan to ensure it works just like it should

[@J05hFontenot]

Ok guys. I'm really not trying to be condescending, but I see a lot of people here asking questions that are answered in the vid, and some that are kind of like duh... 1. You do not leave the paperclip in the car. Since the clutch is engaged by an electromagnet, it will drain the battery with the car off (even though the pulley isn't moving). 2. The paperclip is used to get the clutch to engage, so you can refill the ac system. It is by no means a "fix", "solution", or "miracle". Its just a trick. 3. A quick Google search will yield the results to your relay pin application. Many forums and diagrams are at your disposal.

[@Jumbjetsky]

That saved me in 1000 usd. Thanks.

[@Jumbjetsky]

But what to do now? After doing this, the clutch engaged so I know now that it is not defect. What do I need to so to make it work normally ? Do I have to change the fuse ?

[@briansedlock7793]

J05hFontenot ok i did this and filled up my ac but when I place my relay back in its not engaging even though I have a new ac compressor and filled it up with coolant useing this method, any idea whats going on?

[@gordo3582]

Did you test the relay? Should have done that before replacing the compressor.

[@briansedlock7793]

It needed one anyway believe me!

[@SirErp]

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the video. I know it's been like 8 years at this point, but this helped so just giving a shout out.

[@martinjaramillo2429]

This looks like a Super 8 film from 1986

[@SirErp]

@@martinjaramillo2429 Awww, thanks man

[@martinjaramillo2429]

Christopher sorry not you haha I got a flashback to the 80’s with the first 10 seconds of the vid.

[@SirErp]

@@martinjaramillo2429 I totally took that as a compliment either way, but I see what you mean honestly haha

[@pearlrival3124]

good video.ive had to bypass relays in the past on fuel pumps. Had i not seen this video i would have never figured it out. thx man. nice car (;

[@marcusanton95]

From a Blue Oval Mustang 363 driver, damn that Camaro sounded sweet.

[@StardustnGlitter]

I think I peed a little when I heard it start, lol.

[@StuMagoo]

It worked great on my 2000 Buick Park Ave Thanks

[@ManikMekanik]

The fuse won't keep the clutch from engaging unless it's blown, the relay can prevent it from energizing if it's not getting an electrical signal from the pressure switch. You are bypassing the pressure switch through the relay plug in.

[@soktheaseng6974]

Great video. For how long should I leave it running

[@oesco96]

Hey boss I might have a leak. Can you refill it with freon when you hav the paper clip in to make it stay on temporarily? I think it turns off cause I got a freon leak. Or how would I go about filling it with freon so I can put dye and see where its leaking? Thanks.

[@dennisroop4143]

nice video bro... doing it in the morning

[@zubie6]

Just worked for me! Thanks!

[@chrispenick7150]

When you take your car to the shop and they charging you by the hour to diagnose ac problems, please stand over them and watch them work on your car...if not they will take a 2hr lunch break and and call you in 4hrs just to tell you they added Freon and it's still not working but, charge you for those hours they claim to have spent working on your car

[@tonyinfinity]

Goodluck trying to "stand over" me while I work on a car.

[@Curmudgeon555]

News Flash{ they have to vacuum out the system which can take an hour or more. No point standing there watching the vac pump running for an hour or two.

[@Eradifyerao]

@@tonyinfinity I agree... just like a surgeon, a mechanic should have the freedom to do his job without nieve onlookers asking questions every ten seconds...

[@jwill9877]

@@Eradifyerao then they need to clean up their business practices and quit trying to scam everyone into buying stuff that they don't need. Mechanics get a bad rap for that.

[@mittori]

Thats not how flag jobs work, mechanics that actually want to make money, theyre gonna fix it as quickly as they can to start work on another car. You charge what the flag states, you fix an hour flag on 3 cars in an hour and a half, you get 3 hours of pay. There is no lunch. Job is a job, you quote first, it takes longer, customer doesnt pay for that. And any reputable company doesnt have insurance for customers to stand around a hazard zone without safety goggles and work boots. They will allow you to watch from a window, they might even take you out and point out whats wrong, show you a healthy brake rotor and show you whats left of yours, but they legally cant let you shadow watch them while they work.

[@adictiveadictive]

out of the 2 pins you mentioned to bypass one of them doesn't have any metal for contact with the paperclip. is it possible i have to insert the paper clip in a different pin because of my vehicle? i have a 2006 saturn relay

[@dnlkelly0]

thanks buddy. That was simple and right to the point.

[@josequiroz7641]

2002 GMC Yukon my air will stay on blowing cold after 5 starts blowing hot air. I watch this video and decided to try since I would have to pay more to repair.... So I tried and guess what it worked,,, hasn't blow hot air and stays on since thank you for this idea.......( It doesn't hurt to try if you are thinking to get it fixed try it never know if it workd can save money like me 😬

[@andretriplestack]

video was helpfull i will use this to test to see if clutch is good or bad thanks

[@5plus2equals7]

Worked for me. Needed to get the clutch to engage so I could charge the system. After I charged the system, the relay went back in and it worked fine.

[@GarfieldTheater]

TY. 18 year old Chevy truck AC working again. First effort!

[@kathleenobrien2570]

GOING TO TRY THIS WHEN I CAN GET A RECHARGE OF 134 a AND THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH YOU DID HELP ME:))

[@kingfreedom1863]

Knowledge is treasure get as much as you can

[@IlluminatiConfirmed-gc3rh]

Thanks for sharing. Well done!

[@granadojl]

All of the people with their negative comments need to back up.. This young dude simply managed to show us a quick and simple way to test a few things to include the wiring harness... Yes, this is not a good idea if there is no freon, but running the compressor for 5 seconds will allow troubleshooting if one doesn't have such expensive tools.

[@TheDevydoolander]

Thanks dude. This will help me a ton!

[@wattheapple]

nice vid, also have seen this for the fans, people who race their cars at the track do the same mod on the fuse but for the fans to run non stop.

[@bigtrav2395]

Holyshit it actually work for me on a 2006 Chevy Aveo thanks a lot dude you save me a lot of money

[@Nuzzlebuddy]

Awesome dude was having this problem with my car. gana go try it. :)

[@swbyrd]

Very helpful. I’ll try that to recharge mine.

[@fosterandparkhomes]

U solved a 800 est with a paper clip. I couldn't get the compressor turned on because there was no freon. I couldn't charge the system because the compressor wouldn't turn. Put in the paper clip, clutch engaged, charged system and now we are cool. THANKS!!!!

[@FireEater]

Nice job don’t listen to haters that claim their mechanics the last thing they want is you to try to fix your own car because they be out of business.

[@keything8487]

thanks man ! iwas looking for an s10.1996,,but I also have a Camaro...so I learned something...

[@Areklata]

Thank you !!!! It worked on 2002 saturn.