Hello,

I've been doing some work to this car for a while now and decided to take a look at the A/C stuff on the car. The belt was removed when I got the car so I assumed that the A/C Pump was probably shot.

Decided to get a belt and find out. Checked to see if we were getting power at the A/C pump as it was not engaging, and we were not. Ran a direct line to the A/C pump and the pump engages!

Car ran fine with it on and engaged, but the pump started smoking a bit after 20-30 seconds. I shut it off and removed power to it.

I'm just wondering if this is possibly due to age, or something I'm missing (first time really messing with A/C stuff). The system is pressurized, but I don't know if its any good or not.

Also where should I look as to why the pump doesn't engage from the dash? The fuse is ok, so unless there is another one I'm not aware of??

Thanks for anything!

Where did the smoke come from exactly? There is a switch in the dash control for the compressor. The pressure may just be air pressure, it was disconnected for a reason.

Where did the smoke come from exactly? There is a switch in the dash control for the compressor. The pressure may just be air pressure, it was disconnected for a reason.

Sorry should have said that, the smoke was coming from between the pulley the belt was on and the clutch plate on the front of the compressor.

I don't know much about the history of the car, other than it was bought originally to be used as a derby car, and the couple decided it was to nice for that. They put almost $3000 into fixing it up, but they had already put different springs in since it was gonna be used in a derby. I wasn't sure if the A/C had been disconnected because of that, or another reason. I'm not expecting it to work, but before I look around for another compressor I'd like to be sure.

You will probably have to have the system tested for leaks. Then you could purchase a new compressor for about $150 - $180 and a retro-fit kit for about $40 to change it over to R-134 refrigerent. And of coarse there is labor etc. Tough choice!

the smoke was coming from between the pulley the belt was on and the clutch plate on the front of the compressor..
I bet you dollars to donuts your compressor is seized solid.

Although the clutch engaged, the compressor would not spin, so the clutch simply spun until it built-up so much heat it smoked.

Time for a new compressor.
FWIW getting a neglected/broken AC system up and running is pretty expensive. You will probably need a new compressor, R-134A conversion kit, a new dryer, all-new O-rings (maybe hoses too), refrigerant and evacuation and fill service.
The price for all that in my '84 Supra was estimated at $700