A/C draining the alternator
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
A/C draining the alternator
Can someone help me figure out why the a/c keeps engaging and disengaging and also causes the alternator to discharge when I turn on the a/c.
I have an a/c compressor relay but I'm not sure where it is located or if this is even the problem.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Laura
I have an a/c compressor relay but I'm not sure where it is located or if this is even the problem.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Laura
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
Re: A/C draining the alternator (LJAZZZ)
Guess I should have mentioned this is a 1990 and I know there are five relays under the passenger side dash, just not sure which one is for the a/c compressor or if maybe it is located somewhere else.
???????
???????
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Re: A/C draining the alternator (LJAZZZ)
Hi Laura, welcome to the forum! I know a little bit about the A/C system but i don't understand what you mean when you say "A/C draining the alternator" also does your a/c act like this all the time or only when you turn it on.
good luck
good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,444
Likes: 0
Re: A/C draining the alternator (LJAZZZ)
You can drain a battery as it stores voltage, but an alternator generates voltage. So either it keeps up with demand or fails to do so.
Does your car start easy? No slow winding, no clicking.
Does the digital voltage guage read above 13.5 volts while running? 12.5v when not running?
Does turning on the headlights have the same effect as the a/c or is it just the a/c on causing problems?
Need more detail to help. :cheers:
**edit** now I re-read your post, try disconnecting the wire going into the a/c clutch. See if you have the voltage drop. If not the A/C pully clutch is shorted and needs replaced.
[Modified by Jay Axson, 12:19 AM 9/27/2002]
Does your car start easy? No slow winding, no clicking.
Does the digital voltage guage read above 13.5 volts while running? 12.5v when not running?
Does turning on the headlights have the same effect as the a/c or is it just the a/c on causing problems?
Need more detail to help. :cheers:
**edit** now I re-read your post, try disconnecting the wire going into the a/c clutch. See if you have the voltage drop. If not the A/C pully clutch is shorted and needs replaced.
[Modified by Jay Axson, 12:19 AM 9/27/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: A/C draining the alternator (Jay Axson)
You also mentioned that the A/C cycles........it should........ but not a lot..... just on for a while , then off for a while...........This is how it keeps from freezing up the evaporator....... as for the voltage drain ....... does the engine speed up when the A/C engages?.......The IAC should speed it up to compensate for the compressor load....... maybe that's why it appears to be draining the battery?...... :seeya
