What is an A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley and where is it Installed?

An A/C compressor bypass pulley is a quick fix to quiet a car or truck’s noisy A/C compressor. A bad air conditioner compressor can make a lot of noise. On older models there was a separate belt driving the A/C compressor. When the system went bad, you could simply take off the belt and quiet the compressor. New vehicles have a single serpentine belt, which actually complicates things a bit. The single serpentine belt, looped around many components at the front of the engine, turns the air conditioning compressor, water pump, alternator, and power steering pump. You cannot operate your vehicle without these other components. When you have a bad air conditioning compressor you can no longer just take the belt off.

If you don’t want to replace the air conditioning compressor which is an expensive proposition, or you want to simply keep the car running until you install a new compressor, you have two options. First, you can try to track down a shorter belt, which will skip your A/C compressor. Secondly, you could install an A/C compressor bypass pulley. This pulley will take the place of the air conditioner compressor in the belt’s route and spin freely. This allows the belt to follow its proper path and run all the other necessary engine parts.  

How do I Know if I Should Install an A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley?

As mentioned above, installing an air conditioner compressor bypass pulley takes your compressor out of the loop. If you really need your air conditioning, then it may be best to have the compressor replaced. If you want to avoid a costly and complicated repair though, or you need a quick fix, then a bypass pulley may be your best option. 

So what can go wrong with the compressor? The A/C compressor is a fairly complicated part. It pumps and compresses refrigerant to create a pressure difference between an evaporator and a condenser. To simplify things a bit, in the low pressure evaporator the refrigerant takes on heat that it sheds in the higher pressure condenser. Problems in this system can arise from refrigerant leaks or wear or damage to the mechanical parts. The high heat levels in the A/C system can lead to a loss of lubrication inside the compressor that can lead to break down of the bearings and valves inside. This effect can be compounded by refrigerant or lubricant leaks. 

Typical signs of these failures come in the form of unusual noises. Hissing or bubbling noises can indicate air in the system which points to a refrigerant leak. Hissing can also point to a problem with the pressure levels inside the air conditioning unit. If this occurs, it’s best to stop running the air conditioning. Leaks should also be solved quickly since Freon is bad for the environment and also mildly toxic to humans and animals.

Problems with the mechanics of the air conditioner compressor may cause banging, clanking or rattling noises. This may still be present if you turn off the air conditioning since the serpentine belt is still driving the compressor. To get the noise to stop, you’ll have to take the A/C compressor out of the serpentine belt route, and that’s where a compressor bypass pulley can help. 

Can I Install an A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley Myself?

Yes, one of the advantages of installing a compressor bypass pulley is that it is less complicated than working with your vehicle’s air conditioning system. You will, however, have to have your refrigerant drained by a professional since it is, as mentioned before, a environmental and health hazard. With that done, you’ll usually have to remove the old compressor, bolt the bypass pulley into place and re-loop the serpentine belt. Be sure to consult a repair manual to get the belt routed correctly.

Need an A/C Compressor Bypass Pulley?

An A/C compressor bypass pulley is a much cheaper alternative to air conditioning repairs that can be rather expensive. If you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend at the moment on replacing the compressor and repairing your car or truck’s A/C system, then you want to install an A/C compressor bypass pulley. Luckily for you, 1A Auto carries a large selection of compressor bypass pulleys for many makes and models, and at great prices.

With air conditioning compressor bypass pulleys from 1A Auto, you can move the compressor aside, bolt the pulley in place and continue using your original serpentine belt. This is also a great alternative for an older car that still runs great but is suffering air conditioner problems as well. If, down the road, you decide you do want to fix the A/C system, you can just remove the bypass pulley and re-bolt the compressor in place.

Air conditioning is a great option in a vehicle. Unfortunately, a car or truck air conditioning system can be cost prohibitive to fix. A/C bypass pulleys from 1A Auto offer a great alternative to air conditioner compressor repair. Our A/C compressor bypass pulleys are designed to bolt on to the engine as the original compressor did, and you can even use the original compressor bolts.

At 1A Auto, we make shopping for a A/C compressor bypass pulley for your car, truck, SUV or van easy - we're here to help you select the right part for your vehicle! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our parts, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online.