Safe to remove A/C belt on 89 Caravan 3.0 L?

Hi, Gang:

I have an 89 Grand Caravan that, despite 201k miles on the clock, still
runs and looks pretty good. Of course, its on its third tranny and
second engine...but that's another Caravan tale...

During a long road trip a few months ago, my A/C compressor more or
less died. I had the fan/blower on for defrost which, I guess, must run
the A/C for some reason. Anyway, when I stopped for gas I heard a nasty
squealing noise under the hood that stopped when I turned off the
interior fan. I also noticed that the A/C compressor was toasty hot and
had oozed most of all of whatever was lubricating it internally. I
haven't turned on the fan since....

But now that it's winter in MN...I'd like the fan on for heat and
defrost...but I don't have a spare pile of cash laying around to fix
the A/C...

I'd like to simply disconnect the A/C belt because it's not worth
fixing... So...

1. Does the 89 3.0 L run the a/c on its own belt? (I think it does.)

2. If so, can I simply disconnect it, disabling the compressor (while
still running the blower for normal heating and defrosting)?

Thanks for your help,

--KK in MN

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just unplug the A/C compressor clutch ?

 

Yes it does have its own belt, since the clutch is probably shot causing the
compressor to stay engaged all the time you will have to remove the belt. A
disconnect of the connector will not work. The only problem here is when you
get allot of moisture in the vehicle from the snow, your windows will
collect it and the inop a/c will not get it out. That is why the a/c request
has been programmed into the defrost mode.


Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Yes it does have its own belt, since the clutch is probably shot causing the
compressor to stay engaged all the time you will have to remove the belt. A
disconnect of the connector will not work. The only problem here is when you
get allot of moisture in the vehicle from the snow, your windows will
collect it and the inop a/c will not get it out. That is why the a/c request
has been programmed into the defrost mode.


Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

yes it's safe if it's not going around water pump or altanator it will
be all rite...if not go get a belt and tell them it don't have air..as
i done this to my a 1992 saturn and it worked fine...but it only had 1
belt...but like i say it worked....

GOOD LUCK.......

SCRAPPER....

 

As said no problem with removing it.
For a fast easy removal just cut or snip the old belt and pull it out
of there.
Some of the 3.0 L V6 engines make it to or over 250K.
Good Luck

 

just cut the belt with a pair of wire cutters or similar tool and unplug the
compressor and if the cab gets foggy crack the windows