2009 1.6L Petrol Mazda 3 Sport
During a long journey about 2 weeks ago in a heatwave, the A/C went warm, and went cold when switched off for a while, but this soon went warm again. On the return journey, it refused to do cold.
I took it to a garage a few days later who reported that gas levels were ok, power was supplied to the compressor, but the electromagnetic clutch was not engaging. No further information was provided. When moved by hand, the pulley moves freely (no grinding or seizing).
I have checked the fuse and relay, both of which were fine and powered. No activation of clutch, but belt spinning. Will try to check power to the actual coil soon, once I find something suitable.
The garage report they need to fit a whole new compressor, and are unable to replace the clutch, if that is the item at fault. This is at a cost of £750 minimum. Through my research, a new compressor is £122 and a new clutch is £56 + postage.
I have also found some videos of the clutch being replaced, so it is do-able I don't want to spend hundreds on a car I don't intend to keep forever, but I want AC to work for my benefit and to make it easier to sell/PX in future.
Has anyone had an experience like this? What was it? What did you do?