AC Question

[Pliskin]

So now that its getting hotter I've started using my AC more. Well today I'm driving down the street (about 2 minutes after leaving the house) and turn on to MAX AC. The car pulls back, goes clunk, and makes a hsss sound. The AC works and the car is still running but it felt like I pulled the dammed E-Brake or something when I turned the AC on. Whats up with that? Does it have to do with the blower?

 

[bigcat]

its the clutch engaging on the compressor. it is normal. i noticed the same thing while on the interstate last weekend.

 

[Kent5]

I'd have to disagree that it's 'normal'.

The 'clunky' loud engagement of the compressor certainly *is* common for the new Mustang (ugh... what junior engineer signed off on THAT???), but if the car is physically jerking back like the e-brake was pulled, something is definitely wrong.

Here in Las Vegas the AC is on basically all the time in my GT (especially this time of year). And while you can definitely hear it, I dont know that I've *ever* felt the car 'pull back' aggressively, especially to the degree you describe.

Have it checked... thats what warranties are for!

-Kent

 

[bigcat]

well, mine is not that extensive, but it does put a hell of a load on the car.

 

[Spdfreak]

Hmm, mine doesn't do that at all.

 

[anthony05gt]

Maybe it's got something to do with the blower puting double duty on the belt system. My guess would be the ac clutch may have caused the belt to slip on the blower pulley during engagement.

 

[Pliskin]

It feels real weird. I'm driving with the gas down at the time it happened, I think. So I'm going about 30mph or so and turn on the A/C then hiiissss, clunk, and it bogs down and pulls backwards. (not incredibly violent but enough to make me actually move in the seat). It doesnt immediately pull forward again like you think it would. The weird thing is that I think I had the gas down at the time.