Ford Repair: 1996 ford taurus AC Bypass, serpentine belt diagram, ford taurus

Question
The AC pulley has frozen up on our Taurus(96 3.0 V6). Is there anyway to bypass this or do you have to replace the entire unit?

Answer
It is not cost effective to only replace the A/C clutch by itself.It is not much more to buy the entire compressor.Now remember,at all parts store you must now purchase the accumulator/receiver drier and orifice tube.You must also provide documentation of a system flush.Anything other than that,and you have a $300 non-guarantied item.
On another note,I don't have the serpentine belt diagram in front of me,but I you can do this on almost every car except a Cadillac.You can put a shorter belt on bypassing the compressor.It is a lot of guess work,but if you don't have the several hundred dollars,it is an alternative for under thirty dollars,being winter and all,at most parts stores.You will have to measure the size that you will need and ask you're parts man for a belt that size.I have seen it done with a string.Good Luck,and let us know if we can be of any further assistance.