A/C Compressor and Clutch Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Internal A/C compressor components are not serviced separately. The SCI 15 A/C compressor is serviced only as an assembly. The clutch plate, clutch pulley and bearing, and the clutch field coil are serviceable.

NOTE: Installation of a new suction accumulator is not required when repairing the air conditioning system except when there is physical evidence of system contamination from a failed A/C compressor or damage to the suction accumulator.

NOTE: Vehicles equipped with fixed scroll A/C compressors may experience rapid refrigerant high side pressure fluctuations upon cold startups and/or after refrigerant system recharges. These high side refrigerant fluctuations are characteristic of the fixed scroll compressor and not an indication of a failing/failed A/C compressor.

The SCI 15 A/C compressor has the following characteristics:

Tangential-mount design - 3 lugs.
The single manifold block of the compressor manifold and tube assembly fits to the suction and discharge ports. Two O-ring seals are used for sealing.
An eccentric bushing is driven by the shaft of the A/C compressor.
An orbiting scroll driven by the eccentric bushing compresses the refrigerant gas against the walls of the fixed scroll.
A single reed-type discharge valve mounted on the back of the fixed scroll. There are no suction valves.
A non-serviceable shaft seal fully supported on both sides by bearings.
The A/C compressor uses PAG oil or equivalent. This oil contains special additives required for the A/C compressor.
The A/C compressor oil from vehicles equipped with an SCI 15 A/C compressor may have some slightly dark-colored streaks while maintaining normal oil viscosity. This is normal for this A/C compressor because of break-in wear of the scroll seals that can discolor the oil.
Use standard oil matching procedures when installing new compressors.

The magnetic A/C clutch has the following characteristics:

It drives the compressor shaft.
When battery voltage is applied to the A/C compressor clutch field coil, the clutch plate and hub assembly is drawn toward the A/C clutch pulley.
The magnetic force locks the clutch plate and hub assembly and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit, causing the compressor shaft to rotate.
When battery voltage is removed from the A/C compressor clutch field coil, springs in the clutch plate and hub assembly move the clutch plate away from the A/C clutch pulley.