Simple question. The shop that was going to replace it was trying to charge me some stupid price because they said they were going to have to recharge my AC
Not unless it fried the front seal, if it did you'd be replacing the comp anyways........... You dont have to recharge the system just to replace a clutch...
No need to remove the compressor from the car or do anything with the refrigerant. I have done it twice and it is very easy to do.
The A/C clutch is about $100 new or you can buy a compressor from the junkyard with a working clutch for about $50. The puller is about $16 if you have to buy one, Autozone will rent you one for free.
The clutch hub is usually what fails, the rubber shock damper shears off from the steel hub and plate. The pulley turns, but the hub doesn't when you power up the A/C The hub comes off without much problem if you have the puller. You don’t have to do anything with the refrigerant (R12 or R134a), you can replace the clutch without draining and refilling the system. The snap ring hiding inside the hub is the only tricky part.
A few simple electrical tests are advised before popping out the wallet to buy a clutch assembly. With the engine running, use a test light connected to the 2 wires on the A/C clutch harness to make sure you have voltage when you turn the A/C on. If the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will not engage (safety feature, keeps you from burning up the compressor due to no oil). There is an aluminum canister on the firewall with a large hose leading to the A/C compressor. There is a pressure switch on it with a 2 wire connector: pull the connector off and jumper the wires. The compressor circuit will power up, and the test light will light if the electrical circuit is good. This test is also a good way to check the compressor & clutch if the system is low on refrigerant. You can jumper the wires and the compressor will turn if the clutch is good.
they can reclaim your present refrigerant charge and put it back in............what JR said, but also remember that there is a relay between the cycling switch on the accumulator and the A/C clutch - it is also a common problem preventing clutch engagement.