Serpentine Belt.

[kev62]

I'm wondering if i can bypass the A/C on my 2000 Impala by buying a shorter Drive belt. I was told by my local dealership here that it would cost me about $700.00 to repair, but also told my they couldn't promise me that it would work once repairs were completed. Just to expensive for me at this time.
Thanks for any advice.
Kev

[oldblu65]

What is wrong with your AC ? If it simply quit cooling , you can leave the compressor where it is . The exception would be something wrong with the AC clutch unit that won't allow it to free wheel when disengaged ? Since ( to the best of my knowledge ) all 2000 Impala's came with AC , I'm not sure a shorter belt is available ? Even if I'm wrong about that , I believe eliminating the AC compressor from the belt routing would not work ? I'm no expert and could be wrong ? Good luck and keep us updated !

[kev62]

Originally Posted by oldblu65

What is wrong with your AC ? If it simply quit cooling , you can leave the compressor where it is . The exception would be something wrong with the AC clutch unit that won't allow it to free wheel when disengaged ? Since ( to the best of my knowledge ) all 2000 Impala's came with AC , I'm not sure a shorter belt is available ? Even if I'm wrong about that , I believe eliminating the AC compressor from the belt routing would not work ? I'm no expert and could be wrong ? Good luck and keep us updated !

I had work done on the A/C system last summer, but they were unable to repair at a reasonable cost. Because of the age of the car and my financial situation i decided i would not get it fixed. I had the system charged up again, but the pump would not engage. Now the Compressor is noisey. Metal on metal noise when the engine is running. If i can i would just like to bypass the AC pump altogether.

[oldblu65]

If you leave the compressor in place , it won't run unless you engage the clutch ( by clicking on the dash mounted AC button ) . The only exception to that is when you run the defroster .There are by-pass pulleys available for some cars but I don't know if the Impala is one of them ? What is a by-pass pulley and I'm not sure that is the correct term ? You remove the AC compressor and bolt this pulley in it's place . You then put the serpentine belt on as usual and the pulley literally takes the compressor's place in the belt routing . Check with local parts stores ( Autozone , Advance Auto , etc. ) to see if they carry the pulley or can order it .

[kev62]

Originally Posted by oldblu65

If you leave the compressor in place , it won't run unless you engage the clutch ( by clicking on the dash mounted AC button ) . The only exception to that is when you run the defroster .There are by-pass pulleys available for some cars but I don't know if the Impala is one of them ? What is a by-pass pulley and I'm not sure that is the correct term ? You remove the AC compressor and bolt this pulley in it's place . You then put the serpentine belt on as usual and the pulley literally takes the compressor's place in the belt routing . Check with local parts stores ( Autozone , Advance Auto , etc. ) to see if they carry the pulley or can order it .

I know the clutch won't engage unless you press the AC button in the dash. I've tried everything myself and they did at the Chevy dealer here. The problem is with the Compressor itself. All the switches are working. They took the compressor off at the garage and checked it out, but still did not work after they installed it again. The compressor costs $418 plus taxes, plus labour and charging up the system again. I'll check into the Bypass pulley and see if there is something like that available. Thanks for the info.

[intimadatorsquizz]

Dorman makes ac bypass pulley's for your car
3.4 engine use's part #34217
and the 3.8 takes part #34195

[jonnik]

If you have metal on metal noise when the engine is running regardless if the A/C switch is on or not, it's probably the A/C clutch bearing. I had the same symptoms on an Olds Aurora.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by kev62

I know the clutch won't engage unless you press the AC button in the dash. I've tried everything myself and they did at the Chevy dealer here. The problem is with the Compressor itself. All the switches are working. They took the compressor off at the garage and checked it out, but still did not work after they installed it again. The compressor costs $418 plus taxes, plus labour and charging up the system again. I'll check into the Bypass pulley and see if there is something like that available. Thanks for the info.

If the compressor is defective and you wish not to repair this ac system the use of these bypass pulleys are common...you use the exact same belt....the compressor removed you use the same mounting points...

sealing the a/c line connection is a good idea so IF in the future you/someone may want to get ac going again...

the reason you should get rid of the compressor is because these compressor pulley bearings lock up,,,and if this occurs you will be going no where....

these pulleys are cheap...

[kev62]

Thank you gentlemen for the info on the Bypass pulley and part numbers. I.m going to ask around here to see if i can come up with one from one of the parts stores in this area.

Regards, Kev Myles

[kev62]

Found a Bypass pulley through Autoworld Auto Parts dealer here. Only thing is i have to wait 2 weeks to receive it.

Kev

[intimadatorsquizz]

Rockauto.com has it in stock you can get it in a couple of days and there prices are good as well.

[kev62]

Originally Posted by intimadatorsquizz

Rockauto.com has it in stock you can get it in a couple of days and there prices are good as well.

Thanks. I'll have a look at their site.