I have freon leaking from the front of a/c compressor it seems like from the clutch on my 97 chevy lumina. i added freon because it was completely out and clutch was not engaging. what is easy fix

There are 2 safety switches in most A/C systems. A high and low pressure sensor will cut off the Compressor clutch. You can borrow a gauge set, called Manifold gauges, from tool loaner programs at Autozone, Advance, or Oreilys autoparts.

There are several ways to try to fix this. It depends on what the pressure gauges show.

If the pressure is low, but not empty, there is hope. The old Freon leaked out. It will happen again. But there are products which can plug some leaks. Then add Freon using the gauges. The ideal amount is an amount that makes the compressor stay on the longest. There are gauges that can tell you, color coded, and reasonable priced.

If the system is completely empty, it is contaminated with outside air. The Freon will not function correctly if added and a new Dryer(A/C part) should be installed. There is a Vacuum pump which must be attached to draw down the system to a negative vacuum. So even changing a part will not decontaminate the system without the pump. Pump can be loaned from Autozone with big deposit which is returned, no hassle. Some parts require special pliers and "O" rings to reinstall.

The price of Freon has skyrocketed. What once costed $12 to refill a car now costs $50. So going to a repair shop can be a better idea if you waste Freon doing it yourself. If you don't repair the leak, imagine $50 evaporating into the wind with the Freon.

YOU NEED A LEAK DETECTOR , SOME PARTS STORES , RENT THEM , MAKE SURE YOU CHECK VALVE WHERE YOU PUT THE FREON IN THEY LEAK A LOT AND FITTINGS

Diod you charge the a/c, if its low, by that I mean if it needs a charge the compressor has a cut out switch inline with the power wire going to the a/c compressor clutch(it can also be referred to as a fuse depending on who you arer speaking with), it is there to protect the compressor from burning out.
You see if the a/c system has a leak....any air conditioning system not just a car.... along with the freon leaking out a/c compressor oil can also leak out with it especially if its on the high side lines or the compressor front shaft seal(which is behind the a/c clutch). That is why it is equally important to buy a 1 pound can of freon + oil combo and a freon 1 pound can with leak dye combo in it, if its down a little in other words the compressor turns on but isn't real cold then only install the freon + leak dye as the leak dye will travel through the system and expose its colors when it appears at the site of the leak, giving you a visual on where the leak is.
try adding some freon to the "low" pressure side of the suction lines of the compressor(larger lines with a larger fill port, be certain to purchase the proper fill hose and attachment needed for your particular car.
The auto parts store will assist you in this proceedure.
Once
You may have to locate the a/c compressor cut out I think its a threaded one that has a black electrical connector on top, remove the connector and jump the wires together to get the compressor to turn, then add the freon. Walla, the compressor is working and accepting the charge, if by jumping out the low pressure cut out switch no sound is even heard at the clutch you may have to replace the low switch as well.
This test also tells you if the a/c compressor and clutch are working properly, if you jump it out and it doesnt engage replace the clutch. You will need a puller, Auto Zone will lend you the tools for the job free if you buy the parts from them,cool aye?
Happy Motoring!!

Look at the front of the ac compressor and have someone turn on the ac from inside the car. The front of the pulley(clutch) will spin when turned on.

If it does not spin, the low pressure switch (LPS) is not satisfied. Meaning there is not enough freon in the system to operate the system. Means low freon capicity because of a leak.

The LPS can be jumpered to cause the compressor to run (clutch to engaged) which will draw the freon in the system.

The LPS is usually a two wire sensor on the suction of the compressor. (between evaporator and compressor) Unplug the sensor and install a jumper, this will engage the clutch. Connect a new can of freon
and fill to system capacity.

The capacity of the ac system will be on a label under the hood, do not overfill. Probably about 2 lbs. Local parts stores (Auto Zone and Advance) will have freon with stop leak. This may help the leak. They also make a freon with a UV dye. I always add a single can with dye so that if stop leak does not work I can find the leak in the future.

The system should be filled until suction pressure is about 30 to 38 psi..

you need to put a pressure gauge on the freon input nozzle and see how much freon is already in your system You are probably getting no cooling because the clutch on the front of the A/C compressor is broken, or the switch on the dash is not opening the vents inside correctly. Putting more freon into an already full system can have unpleasant results. So if when checking the gauge, the freon levels are ok, next, run the car, and look at the front of the A/C compressor.see if the clutch clicks in and out as the A/C is turned on/off. If the clutch free-spins all the time it needs to be replaced, or if its silent completely, the wiring to the A/C needs to be checked. If the clutch is ok, head under the dash ad listen for the vent doors opening and closing as you cycle the A/C on/off. If you can't hear them, a vacuum pipe or electrical connection/A/C switch is to blame.

you need a special puller to do so,. and make shure to clean the compressor shaft treads of rust and debrit before using the puller cause it may damage the puller and/or the compressor shaft.

You probably have leaked out your freon after so much time. Try adding some more Freon if it doesnt stay charged you may have bigger issues.

for one, be careful. It is unlawful to vent freon into the atmosphere. You will need special tools to remove and install new clutch. Then the system has to be leak tested, pulled into a vacuum and recharged with a specific amount of refrigerant. and a measure amount of oil added if needed. Are you sure you want to even think about taking it apart? Are you even sure the clutch is bad? Give it some thought, for your sake. Give it some serious thought.

Compressor clutches go bad sometimes.. it is an electromagnetic device on front of compressor. You may also need shot of refrigerant. Level may be at point where it is on brink of being low.

With the engine NOT running, pull the connection to the compressor clutch and hit the terminals with 12 volts from the battery. If the clutch clicks it's OK and probably is not working because of a low freon interlock if there is one.

You said you added a can of freon...... was the clutch working when you did this? If it all went sour when you added the can , could you have done it wrong and dumped the rest of the freon?