I have an '87 300D Turbo with an AC problem that is driving me nuts. First, car was converted to 134a by PO. When the AC is working it is not very overly cold, but cold enough to keep you comfortable in 85* sunshine. My problem is that the AC will shut itself off intermittantly. I can be driving along only to realize that it is getting warm in the car. Fan still blows, but just blows warm air. Upon looking under the hood, it appears the aux. fans are working but the compressor is not. Situation will correct itself, usually after car is stopped and restarted. PO warned me of this and told me he would spray brake cleaner on the AC clutch to hasten restarting. I thought maybe it was freezing up, but this has happened when the car was started first thing in the morning. Is my clutch going bad? The car has been to local MB shop, they found nothing wrong. What could be the problem. I have searched and not found a similiar problem. Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

It's easy to check the operation of the clutch with a test jumper, but that may not be it. Perhaps your vehicle has a relay which expects a certain speed input from the compressor pulley to stay engaged. Something as simple as a loose belt can cause that. If the clutch gap is excessive also. There's a lot more. See search.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.