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2006.5 Kia Optima. Today turned on the AC and the car stopped running. Heard a belt slipping sound. I then tried the defroster and the same thing happened, car shut off. Could the problem be the compressor?
Country: United StatesMake: KiaModel: Optima LX
Hello I will help you with your question,
Yes the compressor could be locked up and when the compressor clutch locks the drive pulley it stalls the belt causing the engine to stop.
In defrost the compressor is turned on as well as when you select AC.
You should be able to turn the center of the compressor pulley by hand with the engine off, if you cannot the it is likely that the compressor is locked.
Let me know what I can do to help you with this
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Hi George, If I cannot turn the pully by hand is there something like a fuse or relay that could have gone bad causing the clutch to not disengage?
No, the pulley turns freely until you energize the clutch by requesting the AC on or defrost. At that time the clutch locks the pulley to the compressor so the compressor is turned by the belt. Because your compressor is locked when the clutch energizes the belt is stalled and kills the engine. Enough time of stalling and the belt will break.
If you cannot turn the compressor (center of pulley) then the compressor will need to be replaced. If the compressor is locked there is likely to be metal in the system which will have to be flushed out before installing a new compressor.
I suggest that you see if the compressor is locked and if it is unplug the clutch connector to prevent the clutch from energizing.
Please let me know what I can do to help you with this
I could not turn the pully, Where is the clutch connector? Also if the compressor has to be replaced what is a reasonable cost for it? I have to prepare the wife for the ticket shock.
The connector is about 4 inches from the pulley.
The compressor is $350 and the labor to replace is 1.5 hours but the drier in the condenser needs to be replaced and if there is metal in the system add 2.5 hours to flush the system.
Total is about $1000 max. You do not need a dealer for this work, an independent certified shop that does AC work will save you about 40% over the dealer.
Let me know how I can help you
Thanks
Experience: Hyundai Certified and 15+ years as an ASE Maser Tech