When it rains (trouble) it pours , well sorta

[Eddie Bauer Blue]

Seems in addition to A/C gremlins and cooling system running hot, my daughters 96 -4.0L Explorer has developed intermittent loss of power steering assist, steering is heavy even on highway, some days are better than others for smoother steering effort.

PS pump is full, Dexron Mercon III fluid changed out in early 2015, pump is relatively quiet.

Pump failing or should I look elsewhere?

 

[koda2000]

As you're also experiencing cooling problems, is it possible you're leaking a bit of coolant onto the serpentine belt making it slip? That would explain an intermittent loss of power steering assist, and possibly the overheating under certain conditions.

 

[Big Z]

Agreed.. Kinda fishy that 2 belt-driven items (PS & possibly water pump) are acting up together (again, possibly). You might try slipping the belt off the tensioner and see if everything turns ok & inspect the condition/cleanliness/tension of the belt/pulleys.

 

[Eddie Bauer Blue]

Ahh yes of course , it should be that simple - according to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous character Sherlock Holmes!

I will check this tomorrow and report back

 

[J_C]

A bad pump will tend to make noise or wobble the pulley pretty bad (or leak), if not the belt then I'd sooner suspect the rack is shot.

 

[Eddie Bauer Blue]

UPDATE:

Removed serp belt and found the following for free spin or play:

• alternator : ok
• idler pulley : ok
• water pump / fan : ok
• tensioner: ok
  
• A/C compressor : ok

• PS pump: resistance to free spinning in both

directions and several mm shaft end play : to be R&R asap


I am going to swap out the thermostat which may be halfway
failing - inexpensive experiment for $19 OEM Motorcraft on ebay.

No coolant leaking anyplace and coolant level is fine.

Tested A/C cycling by first disconnecting low port switch (clutch stops)
and reconnecting with motor off - then high port compressor side -same.

Now the compressor cycles, initially every 7 seconds on-off-on but after
a few minutes only every 4-5 seconds which seems excessive.

Sigh...I just wanna turn the key and go...

 

[Eddie Bauer Blue]

UPDATE: PS pump replaced and steering effort returned to norm but A/C compressor still runs constant

 

[Turdle]

UPDATE: PS pump replaced and steering effort returned to norm but A/C compressor still runs constant

Switch the vent function to "floor", temp to "hot" , see if the compressor still runs in this mode.