I'm getting ready to charge my my AC and I noticed a wire , diode or resistor on the two wire connector, on the compressor and It was broken in half, can anyone tell me what this does without looking it up in my service manual .

[This message has been edited by Mar21457 (edited 06-19-2016).]

It's a diode and prevents reverse current flow back to the source when the compressor is turned off a process that works similar to the way the igntion coil does but without producing as much voltage. Since there is no secondary winding in the relay the current tries to go back to the source when the magnetic field is dropped but is stopped by the diode. The diode protects electronic devices in this case from stray current interference.

[This message has been edited by Joseph Upson (edited 06-19-2016).]

Common problem. Yes, surge suppression so coil can't put 700v or more to the car when relay turns off. (Most relays have diode on their coils too.)

Rock auto and many others have new plugs w/ diodes.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Picked up a new connector with pigtail and diode, thanks guys!