I have a 2004 Ford Taurus. About a week ago, the A/C clutch started making noise. I disconnected the plug, as I can not afford a new compressor, at this time. Two days later, the "Check Engine" light came on and when cold, the engine will start but not idle. Apparently, this is a common problem with Taurus', as I've read many blogs with people that have the identical issue. However, none of the the solutions have worked. I took the car to have the OBD codes read. There were two codes, P0511 and P1633. I never did find out what the P0511 meant, but, the P1633 was a generic "Keep power alive". I disconnected the battery and pulled the A/C, PCM fuse (same fuse for both) and the A/C relay and PCM relay (separate relays). About a half hour latter, I replaced the fuses, relays and reconnected the battery. Engine started and ran fine, for exactly one day. The next morning, problem returned. Any ideas? Also my aim is to replace the compressor with a bypass pulley, or run a shorter serpentine belt, to bypass the compressor, altogether. If I do this, am I going to continue to get a "Check Engine" light, since the A/C and the PCM run through the same fuse or circuit? Any help will be appreciated.

have your A?C clutch checked out

Put some belt pulley spray on bel....And lesson to see if you still hear the sound..Might be the belts sstretched

Ask if the system was checked for leaks. Not just die checked but by actually hooking up gauges and watching. The system could be pulling in air ( and moisture) after being shut down. This is unlikely. But when you eliminate the obvious you have to start looking at the unlikely.

cable solution test in starter

if the compressor bearing seized or fell apart than that would cause the belt to break or fall off. You cannot bypass the a/c compressor with a shorter belt. You can either replace the compressor or get a compressor bypass pulley but then you will not have a/c ever again until you install a compressor.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

There is a wiring connection at the A/C clutch that once disconnected will not allow the compressor to engage.

The pulley has no adjustment, if it is loose you have a bearing problem. If it only makes noise with the a/c on, I would suspect a clutch or compressor problem. Hope this helps, TJ

You can try and disconnect the Electric lead to the compressor. If it is the clutch bearing that is bad it will not help for long. It will just take pressure off the shaft.

If your compressor clutch bearing is good, then disconnecting the compressor is a viable idea. The internal parts of the compressor are turned by the shaft and if the shaft is not turning, everything will be fine. But if the compressor clutch bearing is the part making noise (the part in front which clicks on and off) it will still turn and eventually seize.

There are a few things you can do. If you find that the compressor clutch bearing is the noisy part, check with Autozone or Oreiilys or Advance about tool loaners and what you would need to do to switch just the compressor clutch. This would allow you to do what you wanted to do in the first place and having a good bearing on the A/C clutch is mandatory.

Or instead of buying a new compressor clutch, having to borrow tools, and installing a good clutch on a bad compressor just to get it to freewheel its a lot of work. You could spend your money on a used compressor complete with a clutch on it at a Salvage yard. Then you could do a bolt-on replacement and have the Freon serviced later when you have more money. You would be starting out ahead with the different compressor and only need a part called a DRYER which an A/C place should replace anyway.

Either way you do it, it is mandatory that the compressor clutch bearing be okay. I hope that my solutions are very helpful in giving you a few options to try.

i would suspect the clutch is going, you can purchase all the parts needed seperatly from the pump so it will be a little cheaper.

You mentioned the noise was from the left (drivers side) front. The compressor is on the passenger side in association with the engine compartment. Question, once the noise starts does it continue while stopped or only while moving?