# Disconnect A/C Compressor on Ford Explorer permanently **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, airconditioning, ford\ **Created:** [February 21, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885 "2010-02-21T18:26:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lmhundley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/278dde/32.png) [@lmhundley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lmhundley)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/1 "2010-02-21T18:26:15Z")
I have a 1994 Ford Explorer LTD. The A/C Compressor SCREAMS when the engine is started. Prior to this noise, the clutch intermittently tried to catch everyn 5 seconds or so. I live in Oregon, and do not use the A/C. The Explorer is an occasional vehicle, used when needed. I want to disconnect the A/C compressor permanently. Currently, I pulled the electrical plug out of the socket on the compressor. I can drive just fine without any noticable effects. Is this good enough to ‘disconnect’ the A/C (knowing that my gas mileage will suffer because the A/C is still on the belt circuit)? Thanks in advance for any information. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/2 "2010-02-21T18:40:44Z")
Yes, that should do it. But what you describe should not happen unless the A/C or defroster is switched on…All you did was disable the compressor clutch. But something is trying to turn it on…The compressor itself sounds like it’s seized up… ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/3 "2010-02-21T19:07:04Z")
If the clutch is off, then the compressor is not really still “on the belt circuit.” Yes, having one extra pulley running is a very very slight drag, but you could never detect it in the mileage of the car, unlike the 1 MPG or so difference that the compressor would make if it were running. ---
**Author:** ![lmhundley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/278dde/32.png) [@lmhundley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lmhundley)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/4 "2010-02-22T00:32:46Z")
thanks ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 1:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/5 "2010-02-22T01:15:18Z")
I know on Chrysler products you can unplug a non-functioning compressor but eventually the compressor will seize up and since it’s on the serpentine belt it disables the car. There are aftermarket pulleys that bolt on in place of the compressor. I think Autozone and Advance carry them and they are not expensive but may require a different belt. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/6 "2010-02-22T02:10:23Z")
In that case, it would be the clutch that eventually failed. (The compressor I assume was already seized and that’s why you disconnected the clutch.) Either way, the result is the same and the compressor has to be replaced by an idler pulley. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/7 "2010-02-22T02:40:41Z")
You are correct, I wasn’t differentiating between the compressor and its’ clutch. ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/8 "2010-02-22T02:47:37Z")
If you disconnect the compressor it will not run and if the clutch bearings are OK. you will be fine. You might miss the A/C some day when you want to get rid of fog on the windshield. Caddyman is right. ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/9 "2010-02-22T03:01:13Z")
Dorman makes a bypass pulley cost about $30.00, it can be purchased online at [Rockauto.com](http://Rockauto.com) or any auto parts store that carry Dorman parts. You would need to have the refrigerant Recovered/Removed in a environmentally correct way by a certified A/C technician before removing the compressor. Once the compressor is removed the rest of the system will get irreversibly contaminated. So removing the A/C compressor is permanent. ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/10 "2010-02-22T15:35:41Z")
If you unplug the compresser and the clutch bearings are ok, that is all you ned to do. You won’t need another idler pulley. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/11 "2010-02-22T18:53:47Z")
I would cut the belt, and if it’s a serpentine, get one for the vehicle not equipped with air. We had a Ford Granada and late in its life the same thing happened, the compressor seized. We just cut the belt and drove it another 3 years before disposing of it. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/12 "2010-02-22T19:35:30Z")
I doubt that there is a “without air” option on this vehicle. Why cut the belt? It’s as easy to remove as to cut. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/13 "2010-02-22T20:51:51Z")
I was actually on a shopping trip and the engine would not re-start. Previously the belt had squealed according to my wife. Not having any tools with me and the comppressor being driven by a dedicated belt, I simply cut it, since I only had a jacknife with me. No need to even loosen it. ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/14 "2010-02-22T21:10:04Z")
Wouldn’t the belts run if you left the A/C off? ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/15 "2010-02-22T22:41:41Z")
In my case the whole compressor assembly (clutch included) was seized up, and the only way to start the car was to disconnect it completely. This was an old style Ford Compressor that looked like a giant starter motor/generator. My mechanic had warned me that the compressor was on its last legs and replacing it was not cost effective as the car was 14 years old. My wife was the normal driver and she does not use A/C. ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/16 "2010-02-23T02:35:10Z")
Well, I guess you did what you had to do!! ---
**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/disconnect-a-c-compressor-on-ford-explorer-permanently/44885/17 "2010-02-28T22:42:59Z")
Disconnecting the compressor will have no effect on gas mileage unless the clutch is seized up also. I doubt very much if it is.