HELP! problems with A/C kicking in

[1997EXPLORER]

this is my first summer with a ford explorer so maybe someone can tell me if this problem is actually something that all of these cars do?

any way when i have the car idelling and i have the a/c on (either the basic a/c or the main a/c or any of the modes where the a/c comes on) the compressor? kicks in and makes the engine bog down (like it is almost going to die) and then i can hear a loud click like the a/c compressor is clickin off then the car revs back up...then after 30 seconds or so it clicks back on and we go through the cycle again.

this "problem" doesnt seem to affect perforamce but it is annoying to be sitting at a red light and my car is clicking, bogging down, reving up and so on.

i know that this i a/c related becuase if you put the air switch to the mode where therer is no a/c then i have no problems.

thanks ahead for any help

 

[Glacier991]

Your A/C cycling is probably normal, it WILL cycle. It will cycle more often if the charge gets low, and I cannot make that determination without a lot more info. What is NOT normal is for the Ex to bog down as you put it, cerainly not to the degree you describe. Your A/C system signals the computer onboard (via the IAC switch as I recall) to increase RPM whenever the AC is on. Either that signalling is not occurring (bad IAC), the computer is not acting on that signal if it is (Bad computer - not highly likely), or the compressor is so difficult to turn the computer added RPM's are not sufficient to prevent it from bogging down. The last possibility is suggestive of a failing compressor, which may someday lock up were that to be the case. I'd check out the IAC switch first, and go from there. HTH.

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[TPLYNCH]

Try cleaning the IAC. Very simple and easy. Common problem. Use the Search function and you'll find lots of posts. May even be in the Useful Threads forum.....

 

[GaSouthern1]

Mine was doin the same thing, get the A/C recharged and it will fix it. My Explorer used to bog down pretty bad as well and not it runs perfect again.