2006 Grand Caravan A/C Clutch Solenoid

clutch My 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan is blowing the 15 amp A/C Clutch fuse when the Air Conditioning is turned on. (This fuse also supplies power to the power mirrors, see my mirror post.) The Van was hit by lightening which burned the radio antenna down to about 10 inches long. I suspect the voltage spike protector across the clutch solenoid was zapped by the lightening strike, and shorted out putting the battery voltage which should operate the solenid directly to ground and blowing the fuse. This spike protector is basically a Zener Diode which conducts both directions when a higher than normal voltage spike occurs as a result of the switching on and off of the clutch solenoid. Has anyone else had a problem with this circuit blowing fuses? Can the components of this clutch solenoid be replaced without replacing the complete clutch unit? How hard is it to get the clutch assembly /solenoid off the compressor, and disassemble it? Can I get the clutch assembly off the compressor without removing the compressor, discharging the A.C system etc.?

I'm not sure about the Chrysler A/C compressors, but I once had an Aurora with a bad clutch bearing and I had a mechanic pull the clutch and replace the bearings with the compressor on the car and without evacuating the system.

So, you should be able to remove the clutch without evacuating the A/C system. You may have to unbolt the compressor from the motor and pull it up so you have room for the puller.

As far as being able to disassemble the clutch further to get to the spike protector, I don't know.

Thanks for the reply. I took the van to the local Dodge dealer for the installation of a new A/C clutch assembly. They are reasonably good especially at changing parts! Any way they are going to save the old one, and I will find out if I can get to the spike protector and check it for the short. The Service manager said shorted A/C clutch solenoids are not unusual, so at least they have experience making the change. After I get the van back and the old part, will post what I find with the solenoid short.

Picked up the van this afternoon. The A/C clutch solenoid was replaced and everything works fine. It turns out they only replace the solenoid coil assembly part #5066226AA which cost $83.60 plus tax. Labor was $77.00. The solenoid coil is encased in plastic with two wires attached, so the spark suppressor is probably internal. I will break the plastic apart, and see if I can find the cause of the short. If it is something other than the spark suppressor, will make an additional post to describe what I find.