Hey guys, first post so hopefully this is the right section, etc. I searched but didn't come up with anything so I'm asking here.

I just bought my jeep, and the A/C is unplugged, but the serpentine belt is still around it, and everything is great. The previous owner seems to think that if I connect the compressor (electronically) that things will fry and it'll be very bad. Am I missing something here? What would fry? Shouldn't I be able to simply add oil, vacuum / pressurize the system and plug it in?

1998 Jeep Cherokee - bone stock.

 

The compressor and or the clutch could be bad so if it gets plugged in (and A/C turned on) it could lock up damaging the serpentine belt....

 

Is there a way to check if the clutch, or compressor is bad? I suppose if it'll only wreck the serpentine belt it really isn't a big deal - at 215k miles I should probably replace it any way.

 

If the belt is that old, go ahead and test the A/C and replace the serp belt.

 

I run my AC compressor as OBA. So you can definitely pressurize the system then test. To see if the clutch is working, add 12 volts to the signal wire and see if it engages.