Air Conditioner Kills the Engine
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Air Conditioner Kills the Engine
Good Morning All. It appeared that my 1989 F150 5.0 had lost all of it's refridgerant over the years. The low pressure switch was preventing the compressor from operating. I learned of "Freeze 12" in this forum as a replacement for the original R 12. I bought a couple of cans and the AC is working fine. Nice and cold. My problem, however, is that with the AC on, and with the engine at idle, the engine cuts off. What could/would cause this? Every thing is fine at interstate speeds, but the stop and go of city traffic has me "re-starting" the engine at every stop. As always, the help and guidance I get here is appreciated.
Jim Prince
Jim Prince
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From: Mobile, ALABAMA
I had the same problem on my '90....everytime at idle i would turn on the a/c and the truck would die....just recelty i went and topped off the freon...it was about 2 lbs low...i think it only holds 3....but after that it doesnt go dead anymore. or hasnt yet.. *knock on wood*...im hoping somehow that fixed it, does anyone think it could have fixed my prob?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: North Bend Washington
if your a/c system is not fully charged and/or there is air in the system (air from leak) then the compressor developes very high head pressure. this will put a huge strain on everything. make sure you are fully charged. you need some pressure data. go to freeze12 web site. for some data on their stuff. also make sure you are not over charged either!!
Posting Guru
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From: Baltimore
Unless you can do your own AC work, a disadvantage of using something other than R12 or R134A is finding a shop that will work on a system that has been converted to use a different type of refrigerant/ gas.
They don't want to contaminate their test equipment with the different products that people use in their AC systems.
They don't want to contaminate their test equipment with the different products that people use in their AC systems.
Last edited by F150xlt; May 19, 2004 at 10:43 AM.
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From: Still under the hood in O
Idle Air Control Valve
It's mounted on the side of the TB. It introduces air into the TB at idle (controlled vacuum leak).
It controls the idle when you turn the steering wheel or turn on the A/C (it compensates for load).
When these get clogged up or go out, it can cause several idle problems (high idle/eratic/stalling).
You can remove it and clean it but I have found that after cleaning I still end up replacing it soon after.
When you have cleaned/replaced it, unhook the battery with the lights on for at least 5 minutes. This drains all the power from the ECU and forces the ECU to relearn the idle. If this step is skipped, you may have the exact same problem even after fixing the IAC until this is done. Crazy I know, but it has happened to me.
It's mounted on the side of the TB. It introduces air into the TB at idle (controlled vacuum leak).
It controls the idle when you turn the steering wheel or turn on the A/C (it compensates for load).
When these get clogged up or go out, it can cause several idle problems (high idle/eratic/stalling).
You can remove it and clean it but I have found that after cleaning I still end up replacing it soon after.
When you have cleaned/replaced it, unhook the battery with the lights on for at least 5 minutes. This drains all the power from the ECU and forces the ECU to relearn the idle. If this step is skipped, you may have the exact same problem even after fixing the IAC until this is done. Crazy I know, but it has happened to me.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Coil Wire
Ran into a similar condition with my 1992 F-250. Replaced the IAC, reset the
computer and realized little improvement. I found that the coil wire was
slightly corroded. Replaced the wire, reset the computer and problem was
resolved. Hope this helps.
computer and realized little improvement. I found that the coil wire was
slightly corroded. Replaced the wire, reset the computer and problem was
resolved. Hope this helps.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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Did you put any oil back in the AC system (compressor)? If not, chances are when your refrigerant went completely out, it took oil with it. No oil or low oil in compressor will make compressor very hard to turn and make for very high load on engine.
Sorry to say, but if you've run it any length of time without oil, your compressor will most certainly die soon.
Sorry to say, but if you've run it any length of time without oil, your compressor will most certainly die soon.
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Hey Guys.... Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. Sorry about the late response, but I have been out of town..... ACK WORK...... Anyway in response to your comments and advise; There is evidently a low pressure switch to prevent the AC from operating when the coolent agent gets to low. I have not ran my AC since putting in the Freeze 12 very much at all. Hopefully, a "low or no" oil situation has not damaged my compressor. MoneyPit... Your comments about the IAC sounds to be on track. I do recall (when my ole truck was younger) that every time I turned the AC on, the engine would increase its idle to compensate for the extra load. I went out an tried it tonight, and there is NO change noticable in idle speed when AC is turned on. You mentioned that the IAC is located on the side of the TB (throtle body I assume). I will look for it tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help, everyone.
Jim Prince
Jim Prince