I Lose Horsepower when the A/C is ON

[meetthemoon]

I have a '96 Ford Ranger, 2.3L, 2WD. When I drive around with the Air Conditioner ON I notice that there is a noticeable loss of horsepower, especially out of first gear, but when I drive with it off, the horsepower seems to return. The horsepower loss is most noticeable on the engines first gear, but all around the engine loses horsepower.

Can anyone tell me why the motor does this, and if there is anything I can do to fix this problem.

Thanks

 

[michowski]

Only way to fix it is to remove the ac. Thats just how it goes, its gotta get its power from somewere so its the motor. Just sit there at idle, and as you flip the ac on look at the rpm drop and the battery needle to move.

 

[Ranger44]

If you don't want it to drain power, just leave it off. Or better yet unplug the compressor. You don't have to remove it. When the clutch isn't engaged the pulley free wheels. No drag.

 

[shadetree]

Normal operation. It takes power to turn the compressor. It cycles on and off, so you may feel surges in power as you drive as it does so. Rule of thumb is compressors take 4 to 8 horsepower to run. shady

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

while it is normal for the a/c to suck up some horsepower, its impossible to tell over the internet if the amount of HP loss you are experiencing is "normal". ive seen a/c compressors on their way out that will drag a motor down almost to the point of stalling...obviously this is not normal operation.

if you are in doubt, take the truck in and have the a/c system checked out/topped off as needed.

 

[shadetree]

while it is normal for the a/c to suck up some horsepower, its impossible to tell over the internet if the amount of HP loss you are experiencing is "normal". ive seen a/c compressors on their way out that will drag a motor down almost to the point of stalling...obviously this is not normal operation.

True, but I would think there would be other symptoms, and the power loss would be exaggerated in the higher gears.

if you are in doubt, take the truck in and have the a/c system checked out/topped off as needed.

Best advice of all. shady

 

[Ranger SVO]

Can anyone tell me why the motor does this, and if there is anything I can do to fix this problem.
Thanks

The 2.3 is not known for its super high horse power. But I can tell you what I did on my 93. I wanted the compressor to shut off whenever I was Accelerating. I use a hobbs type vaccuum switch, made by Steward Warner. It is set to 9 Hg.
The contacts are closed at any vaccuum above 9 Hg. Below 9 Hg its open. I hooked the Vaccuum switch to the AC relay. It works perfectly. I installed the switch in my truck nearly 10 years ago. It works flawlessly.