Burning up AC clutches

[Markviiiedrea]

My cars (01 Town Car) AC compressor went out a few days after I replaced my dryer and properly charged the system. Ever since I got the ac system hooked up and charged it worked great for about 2 days then the compressor clutch stared slipping and smelling bad and blowing dust everywhere.

So I took it off and found that the pulley and clutch burned up so I replaced it with a used one and it did the same thing. Then I replaced with another used and now that clutch is also slipping and making lots of noise again. When I replaced my dryer I had to reuse my safety switch.

What could cause this to happen on 3 different clutches?
Could the system be over charged with Freon?
Too much/not enough oil?
What is the voltage at the plug suppose to be?
How does the AC clutch work, I'm guessing electromagnetic?
Any other things that I am missing?

Manny thanks.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

Found this on stangnet.... seems to make sence....thoughts?

The A/C clutch is about $100 new or you can buy a compressor from the junkyard with a working clutch for about $50. The puller is about $16 if you have to buy one, Autozone will rent you one for free.

The clutch hub is usually what fails, the rubber shock damper shears off from the steel hub and plate. The pulley turns, but the hub doesn't when you power up the A/C The hub comes off without much problem if you have the puller. You don’t have to do anything with the refrigerant (R12 or R134a), you can replace the clutch without draining and refilling the system. The snap ring hiding inside the hub is the only tricky part.

A few simple electrical tests are advised before popping out the wallet to buy a clutch assembly. With the engine running, use a test light connected to the 2 wires on the A/C clutch harness to make sure you have voltage when you turn the A/C on. If the system is low on refrigerant, the clutch will not engage (safety feature, keeps you from burning up the compressor due to no oil). There is an aluminum canister on the firewall with a large hose leading to the A/C compressor. There is a pressure switch on it with a 2 wire connector: pull the connector off and jumper the wires. The compressor circuit will power up, and the test light will light if the electrical circuit is good. This test is also a good way to check the compressor & clutch if the system is low on refrigerant. You can jumper the wires and the compressor will turn if the clutch is good.
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[Icarus]

You need to make sure the air gap on the clutch is set correctly too.
An overcharge of oil in system can lug the system and make it hard on it. You need to ideally charge by weight or its a guessing game...