Nissan Repair: Air Conditioning Compressor, nissan altima, compressor clutch

Question
I have a 99 Nissan Altima and just recently the A/C works intermittenly with a burning smell sometimes.  Belts look tight, and today at a time it wasn't working I tapped on the Compressor clutch and it kicked on working just fine.  but sometimes it does work just fine by turning it on while driving.  Is this a sign that it's about to fail and if so can I just change out the clutch if that's it or does the whole compressor have to be replaced.  From Arizona and i'ts getting to be a must for the AC out here..Pls help...thx...

Answer
Matt,

It could be the compressor clutch relay so change that first.  If that does not do the trick you can change the clutch with hand tools and a pair of snap ring plyers.  Follow the instructions and you should do fine.  I like to use the compressor clutch to lock the assembly to remove the bolt.  That is, turn the key on, but do not start the car.  Then, unscrew the bolt.  Remove the bolt and turn the key off and remove the clutch.  Under it is the electromagnetic.  Use snap ring plyers and remove the snap ring and pull the electromagnetic off and unplug it and install the new one.  Make sure the spacing is correct as indicated in the instructions.