Climate Control System

A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly

~2min read
A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly

NOTE: Internal A/C compressor components are not serviced separately. The FS-10 A/C compressor is serviced only as an assembly. The A/C clutch pulley, A/C clutch field coil (19D798) and the shaft seal are serviceable.

The FS-10 A/C compressor has the following characteristics:

  • A ten-cylinder swashplate design utilizing the tangential design mount.
  • A one-piece lip-type seal (installed from the front of the A/C compressor) is used to seal it at the shaft opening in the assembly.
  • Five double-acting pistons operate within the cylinder assembly. The pistons are actuated by a swashplate that converts the rotating action of the shaft to a reciprocating force.
  • Reed-type discharge valves are located between the cylinder assembly and the head at each end of the A/C compressor.
  • The A/C compressor uses PAG oil, or equivalent. This oil contains special additives required for the A/C compressor.
  • The A/C compressor oil from vehicles equipped with an FS-10 A/C compressor may have some dark colored streaking while maintaining a normal oil viscosity. This is normal for the A/C compressor and is caused by break-in wear of the piston rings.
A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly
A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly

The magnetic A/C clutch has the following characteristics:

  • It drives the compressor shaft.
  • When the battery positive voltage (B+) is applied to the A/C clutch field coil, the clutch plate and hub assembly is drawn toward the A/C clutch pulley.
  • The magnetic force locks the clutch plate and hub assembly and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit, causing the compressor shaft to rotate.
  • When (B+) is removed from the A/C clutch field coil, springs in the clutch plate and hub assembly move the clutch plate away from the A/C clutch pulley.

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