Can anyone explain what’s happening in these two videos? I just got the car, and I'm learning manual with it. Not super mechanical, I'm trying to learn right now. I was just practicing taking off, and I stalled it and started it back up. Then the A/C wouldn’t kick on and I started to smell something burning. I want to say it smelt something like rubber. The car started smoking so I threw it in neutral and killed it. That's all what happened before the first video. The 2nd video was taken 4 1/2 hours later. That is what happens when I turn on the A/C. Does it look like a huge issue? Please excuse my breathing. It was 105 degrees outside haha. I’d appreciate any help, thank you for your time!
(Listen to the noise at 0:15. This noise comes and goes. What could that be?)
What is going on here? - 2003 Ford Mustang GT
Well, it kind of sounds to me like that ac compressor is locking up. If it locked up then smoked the belt (the burning rubber smell) then that would probably slow your water pump down and could cause over heating like you had.
I’d suggest being very careful with your next steps so you don’t overheat the car and cause a lot more damage.
I’d either get the ac compressor changed, or bypass it. If you bypass it, you won’t have ac.
After your choice or repair, let the car idle and come up to temperature and watch the fan. There so be two speeds for the fan as the temperature is going up. If that works, then drive it again and see if the car starts to over heat again.
I’d suggest being very careful with your next steps so you don’t overheat the car and cause a lot more damage.
I’d either get the ac compressor changed, or bypass it. If you bypass it, you won’t have ac.
After your choice or repair, let the car idle and come up to temperature and watch the fan. There so be two speeds for the fan as the temperature is going up. If that works, then drive it again and see if the car starts to over heat again.
Also, welcome to the forum. I’m sorry that you had issues that brought you here, but we’ll get you fixed up.
Mustang5L5
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
- Messages
- 777
- Reaction score
- 822
I agree. Compressor is prob locking up. With the engine off, reach down and grab that front hub with the 3 small circle disks and see if you can spin it by hand. If there's a lot of resistance, you need a new compressor. I'd recommend unplugging the compressor and zip tieing the wire safely out of the way for now.
Thank you both for your replies. Is it possible that the compressor locking up like that caused damage to the other accessories on the belt, such as the water pump? I’m not sure if it’s gonna be safe enough to drive 2 1/2 miles to my shop or not.
Bronco2Fan
Active Member
The second video sounded like the fan blades were hitting the housing or something. Mine did that when I had a cracked shroud. Also the AC wouldn't work because the fuse kept blowing for the fan. Just my opinion.
As long as you don’t engage the clutch on the compressor, it shouldn’t keep you from driving a couple miles to the shop.
Unplugging the harness connector and securing it out of the way (like @Mustang5L5 alluded to) is the best way to ensure it doesn’t engage.
RAU03MACH
Legend
new Mexico plate what city
It’s a plate from a dealer. I live in southern Utah where it gets super hot.
Mustang5L5
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
- Messages
- 777
- Reaction score
- 822
If you are concerned about it overheating again, plug in an OBD2 code reader and pull up the ECT live data and keep an eye on it.
I’m not even so sure it overheated. I was watching the temp gauge and it was just barely over the half mark the whole time. I killed the car as soon as I saw smoke coming from what I assume is the A/C compressor.
Brother, it was puking coolant from under the radiator cap, I’m pretty sure you overheated. The coolant temp gauge doesn’t really work, it’s a dummy gauge.
Actually that makes sense considering what you said about the water pump slowing down due to the A/C compressor locking up. Sorry, still learning how cars work
You’re fine, not need to apologize. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when they come up, 9 times out of 10, we can get it fixed. There’s a lot of knowledge floating around on this forum and not a whole lot that the folks here haven’t seen.
I appreciate that very much. Do you think it’s safe to keep practicing how to drive manual if I keep the A/C off and the compressor unplugged? Or should I not take any chances and bypass it or replace the whole compressor and lines?
It won’t hurt to try, but if it keeps making noise, then you’ll have to fix it. Some compressors will fail internally, and some will have the front bearing fail. If the pulley bearing fails, you’ll have to bypass it so the belt doesn’t lock up on it.
Don't forget to check your coolant level before driving around too much. It lost some when it was boiling.
I’m looking at ordering some parts from Rockauto. I plan on getting an A/C compressor kit (with condenser), as well as a water pump. I want to do the water pump just as preventative maintenance thing because it’s relatively cheap, and I don’t want to take any chances. Does anyone have any recommendations for which brands I should stay away from and brands I should consider buying from? TIA
Not sure if I should be making a new thread or not. But anyways, I’ve finally been able to work on my car. Before any of the A/C components are replaced, I just want to make sure that the problem doesn’t happen again. Does anyone have any info on why the A/C compressor clutch might have been locking up like that?
Mustang5L5
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
- Messages
- 777
- Reaction score
- 822
Could be a few reasons. The gap is small on most clutches so if the bearing fails, the misalignment causes heat which eventually seizes the clutch up essentially welding it.
That’s one failure mode. Could be other reasons as well
That’s one failure mode. Could be other reasons as well
