My Wife's car overheated after the check engine light came on. After a quick look, I found that the belt is tight, the fans are working properly and the coolant was low (probably due to the overheating itself). I topped up the coolant and ran the car again, couldn't see any leaks, but after running the ac for about 5 minutes, a chirping, grinding, sort of noise began from the compressor/clutch. The noise stops when the ac is turned off, so I'm thinking the problem is with the clutch only. Can the clutch be replaced with the compressor in place, or does the entire unit need to be replaced? Dealer says they can't look at the car for a week, and I can't afford to be without it that long, so would like to fix it myself if possible. Any help or advice appreciated. TIA.

My Wife's car overheated after the check engine light came on. After a quick look, I found that the belt is tight, the fans are working properly and the coolant was low (probably due to the overheating itself). I topped up the coolant and ran the car again, couldn't see any leaks, but after running the ac for about 5 minutes, a chirping, grinding, sort of noise began from the compressor/clutch. The noise stops when the ac is turned off, so I'm thinking the problem is with the clutch only. Can the clutch be replaced with the compressor in place, or does the entire unit need to be replaced? Dealer says they can't look at the car for a week, and I can't afford to be without it that long, so would like to fix it myself if possible. Any help or advice appreciated. TIA.

 

Sounds like you've got several problems going on there. You'd better look into that overheating/low coolant issue first. I'm sure you've read the multitude of posts regarding overheating/headgasket failure.......

Sounds like you've got several problems going on there. You'd better look into that overheating/low coolant issue first. I'm sure you've read the multitude of posts regarding overheating/headgasket failure.......

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I've read a few of those posts. I don't want to have major engine problems, and I'm hoping that fixing the AC will avoid them. Haven't seen the oil level rising mysteriously, or any strange mist coming from the tailpipe yet, and the engine runs smoothly. Since resetting the ECU and topping up the fluid 2 days ago, temperature has been in center of gauge (although on short trips of about 10-15 minutes only). Resetting the ECU took care of the check engine light, but when the AC clutch began making noise, the light was back on. Anyone know if AC clutch problems can generate fault codes thus triggering the check engine light, or is this a separate issue. I have a cheap OBD II reader, but it doesn't seem to like the Subie.

Help! Anyone!

Help! Anyone!

 

I still feel that you may be relating two separate problems that probably are not related. Try taking the A/C "out of the equation"---although it may be unpleasant in this hot weather, you probably should make one "drive-cycle" on the hiway without the A/C on and see what the temperature guage does. Be prepared to pull over and wait if the engine overheats--and have a gallon of coolant with you if it boils over. My point: you may very well have an A/C compressor problem, but if you've got a head gasket problem as well, don't you feel that it ought to be addressed first?

Have you dropped by a local AutoZone store to see if they'll read the stored code for you?