Clicking problem when air turned on

[drothgeb]

Hey guys,
wasn't sure if this was normal or not so I figured I'd ask the experts, and yes I've searched and searched and can't find the same thing I've got.
When I turn on the air, whether on hot or cold, and it doesn't matter what setting it's on, the engine starts to click every few seconds. It doesn't do it when the air is on the off setting.
Any help? Thanks

 

[shmelmafinga]

A/C or fan clutch?

 

[drothgeb]

doesn't matter if it's a/c or any other setting. whenever i turn it from the "off" setting it starts clicking or ticking. the sound comes every 3-5 seconds it seems. I've also noticed that it seems to dip and surge ever so slightly at the same intervals as the click noise

 

[scottdbutcher]

I had a 1996 explorer that did the exact same thing, i used to unplug it when i wasnt using the a/c cause it was that annoying. Try unplugging your a/c compressor. If the noise stops, thats the problem, you may get luck and it may only be the clutch, but more than likely you will need the compressor.......gl

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like the A/C compressor clutch cycling.

 

[drothgeb]

It sounds like the A/C compressor clutch cycling.

If it is the compressor clutch cycling, does that mean that it is normal?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The compressor clutch does cycle at certain times while driving. Ford uses it to slow the engine down while decelerating.

 

[martybaker]

So you guys are saying that even if the a/c or defrost isn't on, just the vent, that the a/c clutch will engage and disengage? That's something I've never heard before.

 

[my98nnj]

The A/C compressor runs on every setting except for floor and vent. It does this to reduce moisture in the incoming air which in turn keeps your windows from fogging up.

To the OP, it sounds as if your compressor is short cycling which could indicate that the system is low on refrigerent. You may want to have it checked by a qualified A/C tech.
It should cycle, but not every 2-3 seconds.

 

[drothgeb]

The A/C compressor runs on every setting except for floor and vent. It does this to reduce moisture in the incoming air which in turn keeps your windows from fogging up.

To the OP, it sounds as if your compressor is short cycling which could indicate that the system is low on refrigerent. You may want to have it checked by a qualified A/C tech.
It should cycle, but not every 2-3 seconds.

I had it refilled when I bought it about 3 years ago. Do they normally run low so soon?

 

[my98nnj]

The system is technically a sealed system, but over time some tend to leak down a bit.

 

[drothgeb]

So I took it in today to get it recharged. It only was able to take about 4 oz of freon so that wasn't the problem. Turns out that it was the compressor. It was shot so I had them go ahead and replace it. Of course then a bolt broke off when installing the clutch so I now have to wait until this blizzard stops for them to get a replacement part.

 

[hazmat456]

compressor should cycle on everything except the vent position, if it is short cycling and your not low on refrigerant it is most likley your limit switch on the low side port. I'm curious what lead them to the compressor?

 

[drothgeb]

compressor should cycle on everything except the vent position, if it is short cycling and your not low on refrigerant it is most likley your limit switch on the low side port. I'm curious what lead them to the compressor?

Well, I quoted what everyone had said on here and they said they'd check the switches. They hooked up the vaccuum once it was recharged and apparently the compressor wasn't pushing at all. There was a gap twice the normal size in the clutch also.

 

[hazmat456]

I'm always curious how different shops preform their diagnostics, its hard around here to find one that knows what they are doing with a/c systems, so I've given up and do all my own now, some of the tools were expensive but have paid for themselves more than once.the shops here just throw parts at it and hope that it works.
When in my early twenties living in Madison a girl in my apartment building asked me to look at her car it was making loud noises. I opened the hood on her little Toyota and had her start the car, the water pump was clearly sized she took it to a small shop down the street and they replaced the alternator and power steering pump before they finally got to the water pump, it cost her over $1500 to fix a $40 part.

 

[drothgeb]

Yeah, I was hoping to only pay for a recharge but I'm fine with a new compressor if it will fix everything. I'd replace it myself since that part is easy, but I'm a little nervous with dealing with freon and unless I plan on working on the a/c a lot I don't plan on purchasing the gauges and vaccuum while I'm still renting.

 

[robertoa1a]

It's usually a lot cheaper to buy A/C stuff in the winter any way if it makes you feel better.

In January I bought a 30lb cylinder of 134a for $99 and a new compressor (including clutch) for $199. By August the The price tripled on the refrigerant and the compressor was near $300.

I used the extra 134a to help women in the summer. It's December now though.

I don't know how they get a good reading in cold weather on yours (the A/C mechanic). It seems like the pressure would be about nil no matter how much they added as thermal dynamics goes.

 

[budwich]

I agree about the readings in winter.... me thinks this "story" has a few other lines to it. A clutch not "clutching" is easy to diagnose especially when checking to see that the voltage is being supplied. If losing its "clutching" (ie. deactivating) sounds more like a switch that a clutch as they would slip as oppose to out right deactivate. Anyways,... it not my money and if it is fixed... I guess that's the bottom line.

I suspect the original "clicking" was normal as freon aint going to "happen" much at temperatures below 60F resulting in low pressure probably kicking in often.

 

[robertoa1a]

I think he is saying that the air is working but when its not supposed to. Mine doe's that. I hear the the A/C clutch when it's out cold and I have the heat on.

My thinking was that the A/C was doing that to emit heat in the condenser in front of the radiator to warm up the engine coolant. I didn't question it. I assume the short cycle is due to the fact that cold freon takes up a lot less space and has low pressure.

Even a good mechanic can't be 100% well versed on every make and model's quirks.

 

[drothgeb]

Picked it up today and it's all fixed. Paid $590 for everything, which is more than I wanted to originally but I'm happy with it, maybe next time I'll buy a vaccuum and the gauges but too late now. They originally said that it would be too cold to recharge it, but they warmed the shop up to around 65 deg. just for me . They were great to work with and there is no more annoying cycling or click. Air works great now. Thanks for all of your input!