A/C weirdness
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
A/C weirdness
So I'll admit A/C systems are the part of cars I am least familiar with...so forgive me if this is a simple questions.
So my A/C works fine when I'm at a stop, engine idling...all the way up to say 30mph or so. Under heavy acceleration the performance drops (to be expected with all that the engine is trying to do...but at freeway speeds (40-80mph) the A/C doesn't seem to work nearly as well as it does at an idle at a stop light.
This is confusing me because I would expect when stationary and sitting on hot pavement, the A/C wouldn't be able to 'breathe' as much air...but at highway speeds I would expect the A/C to be rocking.
...I'm wondering if I have something going on with the compressor? Anyone here knowledgeable about A/C systems to give me some things I can do to diagnose. I have not yet checked the pressure in the system or anything (didn't think it was a freon issue if it worked at idle just fine).
Added: There is a clicking sound when the A/C is on...compressor clutch??
2000 6.8L 4x4 Limited w/rear air...200,### miles on the odometer. No other issues I can detect.
Hit me...what can I do to try to figure this out (or is this just the way my A/C is?).
Thanks folks!
So my A/C works fine when I'm at a stop, engine idling...all the way up to say 30mph or so. Under heavy acceleration the performance drops (to be expected with all that the engine is trying to do...but at freeway speeds (40-80mph) the A/C doesn't seem to work nearly as well as it does at an idle at a stop light.
This is confusing me because I would expect when stationary and sitting on hot pavement, the A/C wouldn't be able to 'breathe' as much air...but at highway speeds I would expect the A/C to be rocking.
...I'm wondering if I have something going on with the compressor? Anyone here knowledgeable about A/C systems to give me some things I can do to diagnose. I have not yet checked the pressure in the system or anything (didn't think it was a freon issue if it worked at idle just fine).
Added: There is a clicking sound when the A/C is on...compressor clutch??
2000 6.8L 4x4 Limited w/rear air...200,### miles on the odometer. No other issues I can detect.
Hit me...what can I do to try to figure this out (or is this just the way my A/C is?).
Thanks folks!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 534
From: Rock Hill, SC
You'll need to put a set of gauges on it, they will tell you a lot about the system.
You could be experiencing a poorly pumping compressor at higher RPM's
You could be experiencing high head pressure at higher RPM's, and tripping the high pressure switch.
You may also be low on Freon, higher RPM's will cause lower suction pressure than at idle, and if low enough will trip the low pressure cut-out switch, and cause the compressor clutch to frequently cycle.
Some PCM/ECM modules are programmed to de-energize the compressor clutch when under heavy acceleration, not sure about the V-10, or even my 7.3 since all that I hear is the engine running over anything else.
You could be experiencing a poorly pumping compressor at higher RPM's
You could be experiencing high head pressure at higher RPM's, and tripping the high pressure switch.
You may also be low on Freon, higher RPM's will cause lower suction pressure than at idle, and if low enough will trip the low pressure cut-out switch, and cause the compressor clutch to frequently cycle.
Some PCM/ECM modules are programmed to de-energize the compressor clutch when under heavy acceleration, not sure about the V-10, or even my 7.3 since all that I hear is the engine running over anything else.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Maybe? 
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