94 a\c clutch

[Minivek]

Hey, i'm not sure if it's normal but I thought the ac clutch (the weird pulley with 3 bolts that's connected to the compressor) was only supposed to turn when the ac is on, mine seems to go on randomly year round with the ac on or off. The pulley is a two piece thing inside and outside and when it starts turning I get the power drop associated with the ac going on. Anyone have any ideas on how to solve this. I'm also getting really crap mileage, this might explain why if the bearing is busted or somthing. Thanks.

 

[Maniak]

It should turn on when the A/C is on and when you have the selector set on Defrost. On defrost it turns on once in a while to dry out the air.

Other than those 2 points, I don't think it is supposed to turn on.


~Mark

 

[Minivek]

Thanks I'll check out the defrost hypothesis and post later if it ain't that.

 

[Glacier991]

FORD decided it was a good idea if the AC ran to dehumidify the air in the defrost cycle, and that also kept the seals lubricated. I think in some years there was another setting besides defrost that might cause it to run. In any event it's no big deal. Before you go replacing anything due concerns over a bad clutch bearing, take off the serpentine belt (may need replacing anyway) and spin the clutch front half. It should spin easily (though it won't coast much if at all). Since the AC has higher energy needs than a poor bearing (in other words it takes more energy to spin the AC than just a bearing - otherwise the AC would engage) I doubt your bad mileage is that, otherwise running your AC would be even worse !!

Happy Exploring

 

[Minivek]

Cool, thanks everyone, it's really cool having found a site like this, you get real answers to your real X's problems not just the dealer's we'll pop everything open and check everything out, should come out to a grand or two... Or the nope everything is fine and the next you're back in there cuz the tranny blew on ya...