[Gerrit Loubser]

Our Gen 3 DiD picked up a problem with the air conditioner last night. Something seems to have gone wrong with the electromagnetic clutch that transmits drive to the compressor. I have not investigated this properly, but there are bad noises emmanating from that general area, the noises change when activating the air conditioning system and there is no cold air from the vents...

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any ideas on what I might find upon closer inspection?

[4ePikanini]

any difference in noise when the a/c compressor is on or off?

more noise when on or off?

does the compressor in the engine bay turn? make noise?

[Gerrit Loubser]

Marius, the noise changes when turning on the aircon, but there is always a noise. With the aircon switched off, the noise is more like a rattle or clatter, while the clatter subsides somewhat when the aircon is switched on, but is then joined by an occasional squeak (but not like a slipping belt type of squeak, if that makes any sense).

The problem only occurred late last evening and I have not had the opportunity to investigate properly. I will see if I can learn anything this afternoon.

[4ePikanini]

have you tried cleaning the pollen filter?

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... 120&page=1

[Gerrit Loubser]

have you tried cleaning the pollen filter?

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... 120&page=1

Sorry, I should have been clearer, Marius. The air flow volume is correct, but the air is not refrigerated, so its not the pollen filter that's blocked.

[4ePikanini]

have you tried cleaning the pollen filter?

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... 120&page=1

Sorry, I should have been clearer, Marius. The air flow volume is correct, but the air is not refrigerated, so its not the pollen filter that's blocked.

have you tried adjusting the vent controls?

is the compressor in the engine bay turning when you switch the a/c on?

[Gerrit Loubser]

have you tried adjusting the vent controls?

The vent controls make no difference and they work as intended in terms of redirecting the flow of air, so I doubt that the problem source is there.

is the compressor in the engine bay turning when you switch the a/c on?

I hope to check tonight...

[Gerrit Loubser]

OK. Now that I finally have had a chance to investigate, it seems that things might not be as bad as I feared. I found that the V-belt driving the air conditioner compressor had all but snapped; it was severely frayed and could not transmit drive anymore.

The noises were made by the flailing bits of belt hitting other parts and the squeaks when the aircon was turned on were produced by the slipping belt after all.

The aircon idler seems to have a little play, so perhaps it would be a good idea to replace this.

The aircon compressor's electromagnetic clutch seems to click on and off as it should, so I just hope that the belt failed due to fatigue and that I will find everything to be OK with a new belt in place...

[Gerrit Loubser]

This afternoon I bought the dual alternator V-belts, aircon compressor belt and idler pulley and fitted the lot. The problem is solved. Thankfully it was simple...

I suppose I did not absolutely have to replace the pulley, but everything is a lot quieter with the new pulley in place. The pulley is one of those jobbies where the bearing is captured during manufacturing and can't be replaced. It is also sold with its shaft and the threaded adjuster block that it fits into. I think the manufacturers call that strategy "lifetime revenue stream": the pulley costs more than R600.

[4ePikanini]

I'm glad its al sorted with a simple fix. A/c problems can become veryexpensive very quickly!

Every car I ever owned had a/c problems of some sort.