1996 Mazda Ac compressor bypass

[superxshelley]

I have a 1996 Mazda Protoge LX. My A/C compressor seized about two days ago. At the moment my pully is frozen but the belt is still moving which is creating the burnt rubber smell. My question is, can I bypass my A/C compressor with a shorter belt, also do I need a bypass pully?

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum! I've moved your vehicle-specific thread to the appropriate forum.

Generally you can purchase a shorter belt for a car without AC and just bypass the compressor that way. There are vehicle-specific kits out there, at least for certain vehicles, that will allow you to replace the compressor with a idler pulley and then you would still use the original size belt for your car. I think these kits are more for vehicles that never came from the factory without A/C. I doubt that was the case with your Protege.

You could check with your local auto parts store to find out what they offer for options as well.

-Rod