Here's why and what you *can* do depending on your situation:
* The serpentine belt system: The AC compressor is part of the serpentine belt system. The belt drives multiple accessories (alternator, power steering pump, etc.). Simply removing the compressor pulley will disrupt the entire system.
* Compressor clutch: The compressor itself doesn't always run. A magnetic clutch engages and disengages the compressor as needed. If your AC is not working, it's likely the clutch is not engaging, not that the pulley needs bypassing.
If your AC is not working:
1. Check the AC clutch: The most likely culprit is a faulty AC clutch. It may be seized, have a broken electromagnetic coil, or low refrigerant. A mechanic can easily diagnose this.
2. Check the refrigerant: Low refrigerant will prevent the compressor from engaging. A leak needs to be found and repaired by a professional with the proper equipment.
3. Bypass the compressor (temporarily and cautiously): If you absolutely *must* temporarily run the car without the AC compressor engaged (for example, to get it to a mechanic), you can carefully remove the belt. This is not a long-term solution. Removing the belt will disable the AC compressor, but also the alternator (causing the battery to drain quickly), and potentially other components. You'll need to keep the engine running for a very short time.
In short: Don't try to "bypass" the pulley. Address the underlying problem with your AC system. Taking the belt off is a dangerous and temporary fix; it's only appropriate in emergency situations to get the car to a mechanic who can address the AC issues safely and correctly.
