A/C compressor locked up

Tiny
DEBORAH RUSHING
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 OLDSMOBILE 98
  • 138,000 MILES
Air conditioning compressor has locked up. It will not crank is there anyway to bypass it?
Sunday, December 9th, 2018 AT 7:00 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hello and thanks for using 2carpros. I am attaching three images below. Each is a different drive belt routing, dependent on exactly which engine you have. I cannot know which engine you have without the eighth digit of your VIN number. In figures 1 and 3, you would have to buy a bypass pulley and belt and would be able to do it. In figure 2, it is just a matter of buying a shorter belt and installing it. The parts (if available) should all be available at your local auto parts stores. As far as I can tell, a bypass pulley is available for VIN 1 (3.8L supercharged), but not for VIN K (regular 3.8L Naturally Aspirated). VIN L just needs a shorter belt, which the parts shops can get for you (just ask them for a belt for a 1995 Oldsmobile 98 without A/C).

Here is a general guide on how to install a belt: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

GM's instructions on how to replace the belt are in the fourth image. They are not very helpful.

Go ahead and get that VIN number and post it here and I will dig around and see if I can find more useful information on how to change the belt.
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Sunday, December 9th, 2018 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
DEBORAH RUSHING
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The 8 letter is a k.
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Monday, December 10th, 2018 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
I am sorry but I just do not see where anyone makes a bypass pulley for that engine. I am kind of surprised, to be honest. This engine is used in probably a dozen different GM cars in the early and mid 1990's and there is probably still a half million of them roaming the streets. Okay maybe not that many, but you get my point. The next thing to do would be to find a used A/C compressor, maybe from the local salvage yard or on eBay, and have someone install it. If you like having a warranty on your stuff, then new compressors are available too. It is not a terribly difficult job, but will require discharging and recharging the system with Creon if you want the A/C to actually work.
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Monday, December 10th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
DEBORAH RUSHING
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, that is what I thought. Thank you so much for your help.
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Monday, December 10th, 2018 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
No problem. Please come back any time and send your friends too.
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Monday, December 10th, 2018 AT 2:59 PM

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