When Defroster is on.............

[SHO me the $$$$$$]

When I have my defroster on, in any gear.... but most prominent in 4th, at approx 2800 RPM and again at about 3400 RPM, the motor surges and I can hear a "chirp" or click from the motor, or at least the compartment area. shrug For the heck of it I put on the AC and same deal. It doesn’t matter if I’m accelerating, or decelerating, and if I hang in that RPM range it will just go at it the whole time. I seem to think this started after an intake removal session but I couldn’t say for sure, I’m going to say that’s not the case but I would certainly be interested in your comments!!!!!!!!

 

[sdpatt]

It's the A/C compressor engaging and disengaging. You apparently need to tighten or replace the serpentine belt on the A/C and alternator. How old are the belts?

 

[SHO me the $$$$$$]

sdpatt:
It's the A/C compressor engaging and disengaging. You apparently need to tighten or replace the serpentine belt on the A/C and alternator. How old are the belts?

Thanks Scott, I'm not sure how old they are but I’m pretty certain they got replaced when it had it's 60K from the previous owner. Its got 110K on it now and I’m really trying to hold off on anything as this car is going to disintegrate from underneath me and I think Id like to go the route of a new "toy" instead of investing in this one. This cars from OH. Are you saying that the belt is slipping when the compressor engages? And does engage and disengage all the time like that?

 

[qiksho]

I had a similar problem on my 89...I ended having to take apart the a/c clutch and regapping it...that seemed to cure the problem....granted I sold the car 4 months later...so I don't know how long that lasted thumbs_u

 

[Devin]

My 87 Taurus used to do that all the time. I can't remember when it does do it, but I remember it happening a lot when in traffic. Just make sure your belt is tightened or loose enough.

If that belt is actually 50,000 miles old, that would be $14 well spent. That's something that is expendable even if the car does die on you. Better it to be at your choosing, than some highway when your battery runs out of a charge.

 

[sdpatt]

You need to tighten the belt to prevent the chirping when the compressor engages. Do this by loosening the 14mm nut on the tensioner pulley about a 1/2 turn, turning the 5mm Allen screw on the top of the tensioner in the clockwise direction about a 1/2 turn to a turn then tightening the 14mm nut to about 25 lb-ft.

Now, if the compressor is cycling every few seconds, your refrigerant level is likely to be low. The cycling switch on the receiver/dryer is designed to disengage the compressor to protect it if the refrigerant pressure gets too low. Get the system checked and charged or the A/C clutch will take a beating.