It's been a while but I wanted to report back. I ordered the A/C clutch and rebuilt PBU from Phil here at Fastlane. The A/C clutch really isn't all that bad a job. This is on a 1991 300D 2.5T though and there is a little more room up front than there is on my '87's. I would advise removing the fan clutch, fan shroud, belt, and PS pulley as it makes access that much easier in such a tight spot. The most difficult part of the job is R&R of the spring clips since you are bascially doing it blind with the compressor in situ.

The rebuilt PBU now no longer causes the system to blow the #7 fuse when the car is started and I don't have heat blowing all the time now. However, the replaced A/C clutch did not correct the issue I'm having. Price paid for not testing as I was advised to.

After replacing the A/C clutch I ran the system in the garage for about 5 minutes and all seemed to be running Ok. Backed up the driveway and as soon as I put the car in 'D' everything cut-out again (compressor and interior fan). So it would appear as though the A/C clutch and coil were good to begin with.

I now have other issues though and the A/C will have to wait. The transmission on this car puked on me as of Saturday afternoon, slips in reverse. A check of the transmission fluid found it to be dark almost black. And this juice has only been in the tranny case for about 10 no more than 15K miles.

So now she sits...

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1987 300DT 127K
1987 300TDT 283K (Sold)
1999 528iTa 75K
1991 300D 2.5T 214K - Dead Tranny
1984 300DT 375K (Sold)