Alternator and A/C clutch

[searcherrr]

Is it possible that if an alternator was bad that the a/c clutch engagement (especially and usually only on the 1st engagement after sitting for 1 day or more) could be affected?

IE: Very loud clanking of metal on 1st engagement, but thereafter it doesn't do it.

Reason I ask is I had the alternator replaced this past Friday and supposedly they did not touch the a/c clutch while working on everything, but now the a/c clutch isn't making the big clank metal/metal noise anymore like it was gonna jettison off of the pulley. Could erratic alternator voltage possibly cause this problem?

I am trying to discern whether or not my original OEM alternator was really bad and whether or not I just spent $350 parts/labor for nothing.

[wiswind]

I read on your other thread about leaking at radiator cap, and wonder if coolant might get at the A/C clutch assembly and cause the noise?

If that was the original alternator, then I would not worry too much about the replacement......a lot of $$$ but I think that they run around $200 when you and I buy them.....and most any shop will charge more than what you pay at the auto part store......

I had engagement problems with my A/C clutch following my leaking evaporator core repair.....turned out to be the CCRM (which you have already replaced), the repeated cycling on/off when I was low on A/C charge was what the shop felt caused that......even though I had unplugged the compressor to keep it from cycling so much, until I got it into the shop for repair.

[searcherrr]

Either they did something to my a/c clutch (and didn't say) to make it absolutely quiet now, or its the cold humid humid humid air we're having, or the alternator fixed the clutch harsh engagement problem.

[searcherrr]

I talked to the shop again today and when the van was in last week all they did to the a/c was put a pressure gauge on the system. Perhaps the act of doing that relieved a bit of "too much pressure" because now the a/c clutch is almost completely silent.