AC repair advice

[wrparks]

My wifes 2000 sl2 AC has suddenly stopped working. I tinkered around a bit, and it was getting power to the compressor (When the AC was on, the test light bulb came on), but the compressor never kicked in. I direcly applied battery current to the plug on the compressor as per the haynes manuel, but the compressor never kicked in then either. I assumed it was the low freon sensor keeping the compressor from coming on, so I took it to a local repair guy (my AC repair knowledge is limited, and I really don't want to buy the special equipment). According to him, the clutch is dead and needs replacing, but it is also 1lb of freon low, so it probably has a leak.

He is going to quote me a new clutch repair price, as well as the price for a new compressor/clutch combo. I've been warned the combo is significantly more expensive due to having to evac the lines etc but haven't been told specifics yet. I caught them at lunch, so he's gonna call me later.

So, what to do. Should I replace the whole unit, or just go for the clutch?

[silverado122775]

Not sure what happened in your case. But I am having a similar problem on another vehicle. it will cost you about the same in labor to fix the clutch as it would be to buy the high price new compressor/clutch combo and replace the whole unit.

[wrparks]

Yea, that's pretty much what I found out once I got the quotes. Oh well, expensive, but should be fixed for a while.