Weird Ac Issue

05on20s · June 11, 2011

So since we have had the wonderful heat wave in MD my AC has a mind of its own. I can start the truck, let it sit and idle and I can feel the AC fine. While I am driving around cruising at speed I can feel the AC no problem. When I give it just a little bit of gas, the AC cuts out some and then comes back as I let off the gas and drive easy. Any ideas?

ScottyBoy · June 12, 2011

Have someone help you check it out. Mine was doing the same thing, but it was also making a chattering noise when I stepped on the gas. Have a helper press the gas while you inspect the AC belt. See if it starts wildly flailing around at 2500 rpm or higher. That's what mine did. I found a TSB on the issue and it turns out it was a faulty compressor.

jsoden · June 12, 2011

Might also just need a charge. Get a can of the Arctic Freeze 134 with the pressure gauge on it. Follow instructions and see if it just needs a little filler. Mine would do that when accellerating onto the highway and occasionally give the warm humid "puff" of air. I checked it and it was low. Put the whole can in to bring it up to normal pressure, and it's ice cold all the time now.

ScottyBoy · June 12, 2011

He is right, it could be a bit low on refrigerant. But I would check that belt and tensioner first before you spend any money. If it is flailing all around at higher rpms, that is not a good sign at all. If it is still smooth at higher rpms, then I would try adding a can of refrigerant to it.