2004-2009 Mazda3 2.3L A/C clutch replacement 

I admire people willing to post a mistake, it shows a sense of honesty and self confidence that is rare. The biggest problem with replacing the pulley/magnet is finding the correct size. On my Dodge Ram I looked for weeks, finally found the pulley. In the end it worked out, and I didn't have to recover or replace refrigerant. Win win.

The best and most complete video about Mazda 3 compressor clutches.

Rust Belt Auto. A common man, looking out for the good people of earth with their modes of transportation. But some things may not always be what they seem. To throw parts or to not. That is the question in only one place. The twilight zone.

Tks for being so transparent with your misdiagnosis. I still was able to learn something from the video...

2 year ago and is still an awesome video! Thanks brother!

Exactly what I looked for! I installed the ac compressor of my Mazda 5 on my 3, because the clutch coil was broken and it has worked fine for a while, until the coil rusted on the other compressor. I was thinking that it was a huge job to change this clutch, but I might order just the coil and do it!

Yoo! Happy to see a Mazda in your hands.

dude i can not thank you enough for this video way easier then i thought you explain it so well

You just gave me all the confidence I need to tackle this clutch!

WOW! you better pay this mechanic! Honest and professional ones are sought after!

Well that was a bummer that the new clutch wasn't the problem but this video helps a lot of viewers learn what the clutch does and how theirs might be the corprit on their cars A/C not blowing cold air. I ran across this same scenario on my 05 Corolla and the procedure is about the same as this Mazda. I looked down at my A/C compressor and seen the clutch wasn't turning. I felt the freon was OK since I check my high and low pressures once every 2 years so decided to check voltage going to the compressor which I had good voltage and then the continuity on the A/C compressor clutch wire and I had no continuity so figured that was my problem, an open burnt coil. I did the same thing as you did but only ordered the clutch coil itself from ebay ($20.00), installing it was simple as yours was and that was 5 years ago and it's still going strong. I decided to just replace the coil only since I do like the OEM parts and the rest of my A/C clutch still looked good, I just reused it so the air gap was OK and just the coil itself was changed only. I knew the Toyota dealer wouldn't have the coil or clutch assembly alone and I didn't want to go with a new compressor if I didn't need to. Here in Hawaii I use my A/C about 95% of the time during the day and about 75% of the time in the evenings so it gets a workout. I was glad it was a simple fix and a cheap fix. I usually try to replace the A/C clutch only and not the whole complete compressor if it's a clutch problem only. Compressors and other replacement parts are being poorly made these days and don't last as long as they used to. Time, labor and parts quality are the things I consider before fixing cars these days. I know an ebay coil sounds really cheap and not quality but 20 bucks to see if it works. It's less time, lot cheaper than a compressor, discharge, evacuation and freon recharge and less work. 5 years later ? Got lucky ?

Great vid. Very useful, thanks!

Very educational video thank you

Thanks for post greatly assisted fixing sons Mazda 3 aircon

Helped immensely thanks

Dangit, now I'm worried that I've also misdiagnosed the issue. hopefully not. but super helpful video for this portion of it

excellent filming

Well the more you know. At least I learned about this clutch mechanism!

Nice One !!! Thank you very much.

Man I love those 60's Nova"s. When I was a kid my father's friend Larry's wife Cookie had a white Chevy Nova SS. I loved that car.

Thanks bro! I bought a new compressor for mine, and it turns out it was actually for a 2012-2014 Ford focus. It fits, but the pulley is bigger. So it doesn't really work at idle.

Man, great you posted it. Misdiognosis does make the car a bit newer but does not fix the problem thetefore no "fixed it" rush.

Thanks for taking your time to make this instructional video. You inspired my courage to tackle this. Only problem I was experiencing was a clattering sound from the bearing. Purchased Autex pulley/coil bearing and clutch assembly from Amazon. I followed your advice and set this to .008" clearance. Smoked the clutch in about 40 miles of operation. I mean, it looks like it has 240,000 miles on the clutch, Was literally smoking and snapped the drive belt.....Not sure if this is just a bad part or if the tolerance was incorrect. I found a service manual online after the fact and it mentions the use of .008" spacers, but calls out .014" to .025" clearance tolerance. Thoughts? Ideas?......and BTW when I first got it installed and running, no more clatter, so problem fixed, nice and quiet, so I thought.

This guy is smart

Excellent video. Most people seem to drift. Yours was spot on.

Díky!

I replaced mine going off of this video before it made a really loud whining noise almost grinding. Replaced it everything spins free no noises but if I spin the compressor by hand it’s very notchy other than that everything works fine I guess I’ll find out if it locks up lol. Also had to splice my old clutch into the new one because my hydro switch was seized inside of the compressor

And statistically this is why you should replace the whole compressor. Thanks for showing this.

The compressor locked up and burned the clutch. Happened to me but in my case the whole strap burned in flame and smoke.

Tks bro

do you know whats the size of the bolt that holds the clutch(lenght)? my clutch fell off want to see if refitting it would save me the hustle of replacing the coil first before attempting, thanks

Can you link to the part itself? I've found some but if I can get the same as you I'd be sure it's the right fit. Thank you

Does this sequence of repair tasks also work with the 2010 mazda 3?

My compressor make alot noise when the clutch engages..but when the ac is off the noise goes away..any idea what could be.pulley or coil Ac works just fine but makes alot noise

My 2004 mazda 3 has no ac. I thought it was clutch and was going to try it, then watched this. Would it be fair to assess that if I try to free spin like at the end and it gets locked to not bother ordering a clutch and just get a new compressor?

Tks

Question: my compressor doesnt turn. How do i know if it just needs an ac clutch or new compressor? Help!

Is it necessary to flush the ac system after replacing the clutch?

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

You able to leave a tool list in the comments by chance?

I can't get the clutch off!

My clutch doesn't just pull off after removing first pin. Very stuck. Anybody got a hint?

Shit I made the same mistake. I popped in the new clutch, started the car and so far so good. Turned on the ac and smoked the clutch instantly. Spin your compressors to see if they lock up. Was hoping 50 bucks would get the job done but it's gonna be 10x that with parts and getting it evacd and charged. Summers coming fast too.

Whil this fix a pully that is seized up ?

I did the same mistake replace the whole compressor not worth the headache

44,444