Heater/AC problem and more

[BitingSnake]

When I turn on the heater or the ac I loose power every few seconds. The volts drop in between the O and R in NORMAL, the car drops about 100 rpms, and the headlights dim. Once it does this everything goes back to normal for a few seconds before it does it again. When Im at a stop light I have turn the heater off or the car dies. Ive checked the fuses and they are fine. Dont know what to do after that.

Also the low coolant light keeps coming on. I checked the overflow bottle and the coolant is just above the hot mark. The car runs fine(when the ac/heater is off) and i have no overheating issues. Dont know if I just need to flush the radiator and that would get rid of the problem or if I need to do something else.

The car has also started ticking. I thought I got some bad gas so i changed gas stations and added some fuel system cleaner. The ticking is still there. Ive been running 93 octane. My friend said if it was from bad gas it would be more of a pinging sound not a ticking sound. The sound is always there as soon as I start the car and gets louder as speed increases.

Thanks in advance for any help. Really appreciate it.

 

[HISSIN50]

Clean the coolant sensor. When they get nasty, the light comes on.

Are you sure your defroster isnt on (instead of "Heat")? I think you're describing situations when the AC compressor is functional (defrosting and AC). It puts a load on the engine and as it cycles on and off, that would be what you're feeling.

Has your cold-idle setting dropped at all lately? Your IAC might be dirty or having an issue. Then it can't keep up with the load of the AC.

I'd jump all over the ticking quickly. Use a mechanic's stethoscope (carefully!) to see if you can isolate it. Valvetrain and exhaust ticks are common. Pinging doesnt occur while a car is not moving.

Good luck.

 

[Zero_chance]

agree with hissin on the coolant sensor and the compressor engaging. just would add that ticking could be exhaust leak.