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2003 AC tensioning pulley


ahaynes
08-02-2005, 07:34 AM
I had a bad vibration when I took off in my truck. I found that the tensioning pulley for the AC was broken. The stopping tabs were broken not allowing proper belt tension. I replace the pulley assembly and immediately upon starting the engine the new one broke. Would anyone know why these pulleys would be breaking?

Eggert
08-02-2005, 10:42 PM
Hi,
may be the AC is not cooperating. Could it be frozen and the pulley takes the abuse?
Take care, Eggert :bananasmi

ahaynes
08-03-2005, 07:07 AM
Hello,

The AC will actually work until the belt breaks. Even with the broken pulley there is enough tension on the belt to allow it to work for a period of time. I am just wondering if the AC unit could be running off center or pulsating causing the vibration? I have never seen or heard of this type of failure.

Thanks for the reply.

ntbrock
08-07-2005, 06:07 PM
I was wondering if you found out what was causing this. I have an 2003 Chevy Tahoe and am having the same problem. We are on our third tensioning pulley and getting the same noises/viberations as the last two. The first one we took off before it competely breaking, the second one broke in two days, third one has was put on this morning and has yet broken. Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Nathan & Tami

ahaynes
08-08-2005, 06:36 AM
Hi Nathan & Tami,

I sure did. GOOD OLD GM nows about the problem but they never informed anyone. GM even put a bulletin out about the problem. The compressor starts pullsating and breaks the tensioning pulley. The compressor needs to be replaced and an in-line filter needs to be added. Hopefully yours in under warranty. Don't let the dealer tell you that there isn't a bulletin about this problem. Several told me that but I found it.

Good Luck

ahaynes
08-08-2005, 06:38 AM
Nathan & Tami,

One more thing. You will need to check your transmission lines also. When the tensioning pulley pulsates it hit the lines and could cause them to be damaged.

ntbrock
08-08-2005, 11:20 AM
Oh thank you so much!!! I'm going to the dealership right now so this is good information!

ahaynes
08-08-2005, 01:11 PM
let me know what happens at the dealership.

ntbrock
08-08-2005, 06:40 PM
I printed your reply and took it with me to the dealership. I handed it to the service manager as soon as I got there and told him that you had the same problems and I wanted everything you mentioned checked. So, he read the whole thread and asked if he could keep it LOL

It was definitely the compressor. They replaced the compressor and inspected the orifice tube, which was found clean, so they called it good. The noise is gone so I hope that it is corrected.

When my husband first started looking into the problem he saw the transmission lines and zip tied them out of the way because he saw them as a possible problem.

Thankfully we had an extended warranty that covered everything but 50.00... otherwise it would have cost almost 1000.00.

Thank you for your help I really appreciate it!!

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