Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

deleof on Thu July 22, 2010 6:00 PM

Year: 20001
Make: Mercury
Model: Grand Marquis
Engine Size: 4.6
Country of Origin: United States

Can a compressor still lock up even if it is cooling? I put in a junkyard compressor, put in a new accumulator and filter. The system work fine until i make a turn (steering). The steering gets hard. At first i thought it was the power steering pump so i replaced it and no luck, same problem. I replaced the tensioner and belt, no luck. This problem only happens when i have the A/C on. No problems with the steering when the AC is off. Did i buy a bad junkyard compressor?

Chick on Thu July 22, 2010 6:57 PM

You need to check for a switch in the power steering circuit that cuts the compressor off when making hard turns.. Not sure if your car is equipped with one, but many are... Maybe someone else here knows, so be patient, and see what answers you get.. .. I doubt it's the compressor, if it works while going straight, the problem is in the steering...

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

ice-n-tropics on Fri July 23, 2010 10:59 AM

Generally, the OEMs had to use the power steering cut out switch to turn off the clutch, only on underpowered 4 cylinder cars so that the engine rpm would not drop and create a dangerous situation.
At the other end of the rpm spectrum, the wide open throttle (WOT) cut out switch gives maximum power for passing by disengaging the clutch when the accelerator is in the max position. I made a WOT switch for my 59 2DHT Impala A/C using a timing advance vacuum motor (diaphragm type) and a micro switch connected in the clutch power wire. Noticed a patent issued years later on a similar device. Used a SD508 compressor to keep my girl friend comfy so her shirt wouldn't stick to her. When I loaned her the Impala, she responded by decorating my new red paint job with a fresh painted wet green fence.
May God bless and empower our troops to fight terrorism.
hotrodac

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Isentropic Efficiency=Ratio of Theoretical Compression Energy/Actual Energy.
AMAZON.com: How To Air Condition Your Hot Rod

Edited: Fri July 23, 2010 at 11:03 AM by ice-n-tropics