A/C Clutch
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2007
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A/C Clutch
Here is a question that you might actuallly have to go out to your truck and look. Cause I never thought it would be doing this. I have been trouble shooting a electircal problem( I think). I noticed that when I turn the heater on to the setting of mixed or defrost no matter where the temp is turned to it automaticaly turns on the A/C clutch which is also turning on my electric fans. I took my fans out of the problem by disconnecting the ground and it was still doing it so that makes me wonder if Ford made it like this from the factory and why? I'm sure its not helping my gas milage if this is the way it always been. Anybody got a answers?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
The only time the AC pump doesn't come on is in the Off, Vent and Floor position no matter what the temperature setting is. The purpose is to dry the air. The fan is always on except when the Floor/vent/defrost is in the Off position. BTW: It's a 4 speed fan.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
That is the way it is designed. To defog the windshield, it needs to dehimidify. Most cars are like this. One downfall of electric fans. Many OEM computers shut down the fans after a certian speed with the a/c on.
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More Turbo
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I dont think I made myself clear. These are after market perma-cool fans that I put on. I was trying to figure out this becasue I have the fans hooked on to the same signal the A/C clutch gets to turn on. I never knew that this happened when you used the heat side of the temperature. I only had the the clutch engage and the fans come on in the two settings. Also when in one of these settings is it normal to have the clutch engage and disengage on and off every 30 seconds or so?
Another question can you turn that off so that you can use the heat but not engage the clutch or turn the fans on? It would save gas and you could still get some heat? Right?
Another question can you turn that off so that you can use the heat but not engage the clutch or turn the fans on? It would save gas and you could still get some heat? Right?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Lawrenceburg, TN
these guys are right the ac clutch i know is supposed to engage with some of the heat modes also (defrost for shure). for the reason of dehumidifying the air. you could put a toggle switch in line with your fans and turn them off when you want to run the heater. chances are if its cold enough to be running the heater you dont need the fans anyway. unless maybe towing. if it were me i would do away with controling the fans with the ac compressor signal, and use a thermocoupler (temperature picker uper)
and cycle the fans on and off that way. they sell fan intallation kits that have the thermocoupler with them and are adjustable to make the fans turn on and off at preset temps.
and cycle the fans on and off that way. they sell fan intallation kits that have the thermocoupler with them and are adjustable to make the fans turn on and off at preset temps.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Casey it is normal for the A/C to run as already stated. It is not normal for it to cycle every 30 seconds though. You may have a low refrigerant charge. 97HD's idea of a bypass switch when not using A/C to cool is a good one. You would want some status LED's to help you remember what you have set up though.
97HD I think casey does have the thermocouple set up for controlling the "high" fan but he also has the low fan set for A/C. So one fan comes on with A/C demand and the other comes on at temps setting.
97HD I think casey does have the thermocouple set up for controlling the "high" fan but he also has the low fan set for A/C. So one fan comes on with A/C demand and the other comes on at temps setting.
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From: Lawrenceburg, TN
Originally Posted by tjbeggs
Casey it is normal for the A/C to run as already stated. It is not normal for it to cycle every 30 seconds though. You may have a low refrigerant charge. 97HD's idea of a bypass switch when not using A/C to cool is a good one. You would want some status LED's to help you remember what you have set up though.
97HD I think casey does have the thermocouple set up for controlling the "high" fan but he also has the low fan set for A/C. So one fan comes on with A/C demand and the other comes on at temps setting.
97HD I think casey does have the thermocouple set up for controlling the "high" fan but he also has the low fan set for A/C. So one fan comes on with A/C demand and the other comes on at temps setting.
i rember a fan install from a while back that had the high/low setup but couldnt rember if it was casey or the guy that had the 80$ buick fan setup.
tjbeggs is right . definetly some indicator lights or an illuminated switch if you go the switch route so you dont forget if your fan is on or off.
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More Turbo
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I do have a temp sensor, and that does work really well, but it also is recommended to have a relay to turn the fans on with your a/c. I guess the best way is just like you said to put a switch on them to control them when you want only heat. Now I need to come up withthe best to manage it. Thanks for all the explaining.
More Turbo
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From: Wichita, KS
Do the fans really draw that much current with the A/C running that it's worth messing with? I would not think it would be that much of a problem. Even when it's cold out, the condensor needs to remove heat to allow the system to dry the air, so if you're not moving and the fans not running, it won't be operating at peak efficiency.
As far as the cycling compressor, it does seem that your charge is low. Idling, it probably shouldn't cycle at all.
Dave
As far as the cycling compressor, it does seem that your charge is low. Idling, it probably shouldn't cycle at all.
Dave
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More Turbo
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[QUOTE=whateg01]Do the fans really draw that much current with the A/C running that it's worth messing with? I would not think it would be that much of a problem. Even when it's cold out, the condensor needs to remove heat to allow the system to dry the air, so if you're not moving and the fans not running, it won't be operating at peak efficiency.
As far as the cycling compressor, it does seem that your charge is low. Idling, it probably shouldn't cycle at all.
The cycling is partly why I brought this up. Besides I never knew that it was normal for the clutch to engage when you are using the heat side of it. Makes me wonder if I want to lose the a/c all togather. I dont use it much anyhow. The fans aren't really a big problem I was just trying to make things the most efficant possible with diesel prices through the roof. I suppose its not really worth messing with but atleast now I understand a little more.
As far as the cycling compressor, it does seem that your charge is low. Idling, it probably shouldn't cycle at all.
The cycling is partly why I brought this up. Besides I never knew that it was normal for the clutch to engage when you are using the heat side of it. Makes me wonder if I want to lose the a/c all togather. I dont use it much anyhow. The fans aren't really a big problem I was just trying to make things the most efficant possible with diesel prices through the roof. I suppose its not really worth messing with but atleast now I understand a little more.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Wichita, KS
For the few bucks it will cost to top off the A/C, I would recommend doing it. If you think you may ever want to use it again, or if you might sell the vehicle, it will be more expensive to fix if it "goes dry" so-to-speak.
Just a thought.
Dave
Just a thought.
Dave
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