Electrical or Mechanical???
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New User
Joined: Jun 2002
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Electrical or Mechanical???
I own a 1986 F-150 302motor. I have replaced the battery, starter,
alternator and battery cables. Works fine until I use the air conditioner. Running the air con will drain the battery. ANY SUGGESSTIONS on what's wrong????
alternator and battery cables. Works fine until I use the air conditioner. Running the air con will drain the battery. ANY SUGGESSTIONS on what's wrong????
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,236
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From: Vancouver Island
Electrical or Mechanical???
Does the truck have a voltmeter or ammeter?
Wild guess: a belt slips when the a/c compressor engages, so the alternator doesn't charge (I'd expect this to be accompanied by a lot of squealing).
Wild guess: a belt slips when the a/c compressor engages, so the alternator doesn't charge (I'd expect this to be accompanied by a lot of squealing).
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2002
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Electrical or Mechanical???
truck has am ammeter...had it cheched and the charging system is working ok. no squealing sound as all belts are tight. if i dont use the a/c, it works fine all the time. only when i use the a/c for a while and then turn off the motor it will not start again unless with jumper cables or if i charge the battery.,,,,,,help......
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Electrical or Mechanical???
My guess would be that you have a hot wire in your a/c system that's shorted to ground with a large current draw. This should trigger a fuse to blow unless the fuse block is shorted or wired directly to the battery.
When the switch is placed in a/c you have a few more connections that become electrically hot, and things that cycle between on and off. I'd check the wiring harness to your a/c for any grounds that don't belong there. Most of your factory ground wires will be all or mostly black.
Lastly does the a/c actually work? Are you getting cold air? If so then it's probably not a mechanical problem.
-Kerry
When the switch is placed in a/c you have a few more connections that become electrically hot, and things that cycle between on and off. I'd check the wiring harness to your a/c for any grounds that don't belong there. Most of your factory ground wires will be all or mostly black.
Lastly does the a/c actually work? Are you getting cold air? If so then it's probably not a mechanical problem.
-Kerry
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Gravel Switch, KY
Electrical or Mechanical???
I would suggest disconnecting the wire to the AC clutch and turning on the AC on your controls. Run it this way for awhile to see if it still drains your battery. If it doesn't then it is pretty much a sure bet that you have a short in your AC clutch. If it still drains then you have ruled out the clutch.
DannyP
DannyP
