Hi,
My AC stopped worked just when I need it the most here is Texas with a 105 degree weather!
The car runs fine when the AC button is off, but when I press the button, the AC compressor makes a winding / whining noise.
Before doing this noise and only for one time, the car lost power for a moment at 3000 RPM.
Do you guys think that could be the AC clutch?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hard to diagnose without seeing/hearing it, but my gut says the noise is most likely indicating a failing or failed compressor. Since it is only making noise when the A/C is turned on, it is not the rotor pulley bearing because this is always rotating when the engine is on. The compressor only runs when the clutch engages.

Can you confirm that the clutch is spinning when it engages? Possibly the noise is the clutch armature slipping on the rotor pulley. This could potentially be fixed by replacing the clutch, but it also could indicate that the compressor is dragging. Measure the gap between the armature and rotor pulley with feeler gauges. If the gap is beyond the maximum in the service manual, that may be all that is needed. However, the cost to replace the clutch could run close to what it costs for the whole compressor.

There are lots of troubleshooting steps in the service manual section 11. I just went through a similar headache on the A/C on my daughter's CR-V which failed while driving through the Mojave desert. I feel your pain.

 

Thanks for the info.
I got the chance to check and It looks like the clutch is not fully engaging when the AC button is pressed. I guess the noise comes from the non fully pressed clutch?

 

It is normal for the clutch/compressor to cycle on and off as this is how the system prevents overpressure of the refrigerant. This comical video demonstrates what you should see (go to the 2:00 mark).


Which of the following are you observing?

A. You can hear the click of the clutch trying to engage but the armature is not spinning. Instead there is a whining noise.
B. You can hear the click of the clutch engaging and it spins with the rotor pulley. The whining happens while the clutch is engaged and the armature is spinning.
C. Neither.

A indicates the clutch is slipping, but it could be doing this because the compressor is seized.
B indicates the compressor is failing.
C requires more info.