RAM 3500 Truck 2WD L6-6.7L DSL Turbo (2010)
Compressor Clutch: Description and Operation
A/C Compressor Clutch - Operation
A/C CLUTCH
The A/C compressor clutch components provide the means to engage and disengage the A/C compressor from the engine accessory drive belt. When the
electromagnetic A/C clutch coil is energized, it magnetically draws the clutch plate into contact with the clutch pulley and drives the compressor shaft.
When the A/C clutch coil is not energized, the pulley freewheels on the clutch hub bearing, which is part of the pulley assembly.
A/C clutch engagement is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM), depending on engine application.
When the A/C-heater control is set to any A/C position, it sends a request signal on the CAN-B bus to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM),
which then transfers the request on the CAN-C Bus to the PCM/ECM, which determines if operating conditions are correct for A/C clutch engagement.
When all operating conditions have been met, the PCM/ECM sends a signal on a dedicated hard-wired circuit back to the TIPM to energize the internal
A/C clutch high side driver. When energized, the A/C clutch high side driver provides battery current to the A/C clutch coil.
The A/C clutch control system is diagnosed using a scan tool See: Powertrain Management/Computers and Control Systems/Testing and
Inspection/Diagnostic Trouble Code Tests and Associated Procedures or (Refer to DTC-Based Diagnostics/MODULE, Engine Control (ECM) -
Diagnosis and Testing).
The A/C clutch components cannot be repaired and must be replaced if inoperative or damaged.
