# 1987 Buick Century AC problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** buick, century\
**Created:** [June 13, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852 "2009-06-13T21:25:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![a1toolfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@a1toolfool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/a1toolfool)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852/1 "2009-06-13T21:25:55Z")

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AC clutch will not engage. There is voltage to the clutch. Coil resistance is 4.8 Ohms. System pressures are good. Clutch can sometimes be made to engaged by tapping flexplate with a tool. AC works great when clutch is engaged. Thanks for any help.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852/2 "2009-06-13T21:44:59Z")

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It sounds like the compressor clutch requires replacing. The clutch is probably worn to point where the electromagnet can’t overcome the air gap between the flexplate and pulley.

Tester

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**Author:** ![a1toolfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@a1toolfool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/a1toolfool)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852/3 "2009-06-14T16:42:27Z")

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Thanks Tester. I was afraid that would be the final diagnosis. Probably have to farm this job out…it appears to require some special tools and puller. Thanks again.

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852/4 "2009-06-14T16:49:38Z")

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How are you dealing with the R-12 situation or are you converted?

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**Author:** ![a1toolfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@a1toolfool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/a1toolfool)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1987-buick-century-ac-problem/31852/5 "2009-06-20T00:54:19Z")

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System has been converted.