ok, i have a problem.. I have an 87 and my A/C pump is locked up. Or at least i think so, I can start my car.. but if i have my fan on and i push in the A/C button i hear this squealing/grinding sort of noise then i stall. so i'm thinking that the pump is locked up, not allowing it to spin when engaged therefor stalling the engine. am i right? or am i totally off track with this problem lol. 2nd, say its really cold outside and i have the heat on, and the defroster.. and my window starts fogging up, is it ok to turn the A/C on to dry the air while i have the heat on? or is that a bad thing.. i know you are supposed to do that on newer cars but is it ok on older ones? thanks.

 

did you have the belt replaced lately? if you did it could be on backwards, it squeals when it is, mine did.

 

nope.. original belt

 

Have somebody look at the A/C compressor pulley while you turn the A/C on. It should spin. It sounds like you are correct and the compressor clutch is shot. My guess is that when you press the A/C button, the pulley will STOP and not spin thus creating a LOT of friction on the belt (squeeling) and a big load on the engine (stalling)

 

ok thats what i figured..now what causes that? is it because i ran the A/C when i had the heat on? or is it because of something else? and is that fixable or do i have to buy another compressor? how much do those run by the way?