Hi All. So I know I went ghost for a long while but am back and hoping to be more active...

Anyhow, does anyone know the length of the alternator link lead YSB106340 described in Technical Bulletin Number 0010 CDS. ref L8450bu Issue 2 dated 06.10.99? Instead of spending USD 60 on an official one, I can spend less than a third of that for an alternative here: https://www.wiringproducts.com/pre-made-battery-cables. It seems it's just a straight wire, after all.

For context, I'm debugging an intermittently functioning AC compressor, and I came across the aforementioned bulletin. I have the compressor link harness kit (YMQ104590AA) on order and should be getting it in about a couple of weeks.

Thanks!

Most common cause of an intermittent AC compressor is too large an air gap on the clutch. There isn't enough magnetism to pull it in but once in it will stay. Easy test is to set the HEVAC so it is trying to operate it and tap the clutch with a screwdriver handle. If it pulls in and stays in, then the air gap is too wide. If you take the front off, there are spacer washers behind it. Remove those until you have an air gap of between 18 and 30 thou.

If the link lead you are talking about is the additional one between the battery positive and the alternator (so giving an extra path rather than via the starter), just measure it. It's only short, about 18 inches would give enough slack to allow it to be routed neatly, I would think.

Thanks, Gilbert.

I have read about the air gap. I'll need to find some garage or shop with a feeler gauge as I don't see them in the usual places here (hardware stores etc.) to purchase myself.

My unit apparently was never upgraded with the new compressor link harness kit (no additional relay RL10 or fuse, no resistor by the left hand side of the radiator, no harness period). They're supposed to be a sort of mandatory install for units until '99 (prior to VIN XA 411503).

Supposedly without the link harness the clutch can receive less than 11.5v thereby causing a weak "pull" which can cause an otherwise working clutch to sort of engage but not mate solidly hence some play and grinding, causing the air gap to increase (more rapidly) over time? My compressor (with clutch) was new in April 2016. This isn't my daily driver, so hopefully the clutch is still in good condition (i.e., air gap still okay).

Btw, if anyone is interested in the technical bulletin referred to above, let me know. Had a hard time finding the actual bulletin, and found exactly one badly watermarked resource. I had to go through some hoops (well, a friend did haha) to extract the thing from RAVE as a normal PDF.