ac clutch

[gregorys1989]

Im not sure if this is supposed to happen or not but my "ac clutch" turns on and off all the time while driving and makes a fast ticking noise. Short post/ problem butt i really dont know what other details to add. For someone to shed any light on this would be appreciated.

 

[TimR]

usually indicates low on freon, commonly called cycling.

 

[gregorys1989]

ac is not on though. does that matter?

 

[TimR]

is defrost on? weird.

 

[gregorys1989]

no its not. vents do blow a small amount of warm air at all times though with the heat completly off

 

[--weezl--]

vents blowing a small amount of air is normal, it's a cowl effect... the windshield catches air and pushes it down into the intake for the heater, and pushes it through the vents... trust me, this is actually a good thing... keeps you from breathing stagnant air, and it also helps push in fresh air (which is particularly helpful if you have an exhaust leak and have exhaust coming through a small hole in the floor or something)

as for the compressor kicking on, no that's not normal, i'm going to guess something in your hvac panel is dirty or stuck, telling your A/C to run constantly... as for the on/off of the compressor, that's normal also

 

[Rearanger]

Do you get the same "cycling" with the A/C on?

 

[locovaca]

I'd disconnect the electrical connector going to compressor. If it's still going then it's something mechanical with the clutch.

 

[metalmike]

I'm actually having the exact same problem. The a/c will cycle constantly regardless if I have the a/c on or not. My ranger has two temp options: ice cold or progressively warmer.

 

[Rearanger]

On my heat/A/C selector switch there is an A/C setting and other blend door pictograph options. What looks like just high/low air flow is actually A/C. I'd check your owners manual to see what selection controls A/C and what just controls heat. I solved the problem for me by installing a separate A/C on/off switch that by-passes the factory switch selector.

Cycling of the A/C is normal to prevent ice up of the evaporator, too much cycling indicates low refrigerant.

 

[gregorys1989]

im gonna try disconnecting it today. the compressor also leaks, atleast i think so. I find a fair amount of condensation all all over it and its cold. thanks for all your help, ill post back asap

 

[--weezl--]

condensation normally happens when it's cold... that's not a leak

 

[gregorys1989]

disconnected the connection to the clutch. no more cycling noise. Im just gonna plug it in when i want ac. thanks

 

[YellowRanger95]

I was wondering the same thing... I don't run my A/C but I keep the temp buried in blue and fan setting at floor and front vents. I hear the thing click every few minutes and it changes my idle, plus when I park, I get a small pool of liquid on the ground under the passengers side near the firewall.

Can someone post a pic of where the connection is for the A/C?

EDIT: Found the plug-in. Disconnected and drove for 10 minutes to get some food, no cycling! And no mysterious puddles!
Maybe this will free up some mpg? My clutch cycled quite a bit without fans or anything on...