What happens when the compressor clutch is functioning but the A/C system is off?

When the compressor clutch is functioning but the A/C system is off, the compressor rotor can indeed spin independently of the clutch engagement. The compressor clutch is designed to engage and disengage the compressor from the engine's drive belt. When the A/C system is turned off, even though the clutch is operational, the engagement is not activated, allowing the rotor to spin due to engine rotation without compressing the refrigerant.

In this state, the compressor itself does not perform any work on the refrigerant; instead, it remains inactive in terms of its cooling function while still potentially being in motion. This differentiation is crucial in understanding how A/C systems operate and the role of the compressor clutch in controlling the refrigerant flow based on A/C system demand.