The air-conditioning, or AC system within a vehicle, such as a Toyota Corolla, offers cool air for passengers on a hot day. The AC compressor implements a clutch mechanism, which warrants simple troubleshooting techniques in case of a malfunction.
The AC compressor performs the important job of pressurizing refrigerant, through the use of the clutch mechanism for the AC system. The pressurized refrigerant movement through the system produces the cool air that enters the car's interior.
Attach a jumper wire from the car's battery to the positive clutch lead wire. The clutch should engage the compressor's assembly with the direct power attachment, signifying that the clutch's power supply has failed. The clutch itself has failed if it does not react with the battery's direct power.
The Corolla's AC clutch also fails if the refrigerant level is low within the entire AC system. Verify the refrigerant level before replacing the AC compressor. The compressor uses a safety mechanism and automatically shuts down when it senses low refrigerant levels.
