1995 f150 5.8. When at idle the ac compressor will just quit spinning while the belt still spins around it then it will spin again...spin. no spin. Spin. No spin. Etc... Would this just be the clutch or is the whole compressor going bad? It only happens at idle and when it is spinning the ac blows nice and cold.

 

It's low on refrigerant.

 

It's normal for the clutch to cycle on and off like that. If it does it more often than before it's low, but of no more than normal it fine.

Also if it is low you have a leak somewhere, the system is closed loop and doesn't use up the freon so if it's low you have a leak.

Wayne

 

Not just cycling. The pulley itself will quit spinning and cause the motor to bog down while the belt is forced to spin over it. And when it does this, the ac starts blowing warm. Once I start driving it will quit stopping and the ac blows nice and cold again.

 

The belt would be screaming and smoking.

 

Yea, you would think that but its not for some reason. Can we post video from the android app? Ill make a video of it.

 

It may appear the pulley is stopping, but it should be the hub that is stopping.

 

Sounds like you need a compressor then, if the belt is spinning in the pulley.

Wayne

 

Thanks Sean. I checked out again and it is exactly like you said. Is it normal for it to put such a large pull on the motor when it kicks in?

 

Also, when sitting at idle it does kick in and out a fair bit SOMETIMES. Is there any vacuum issue that might cause this? I've been having vacuum issues in various things lately. Its weird as it bounces around from issue to issue. Never causes problems in the same place for long. The only constant is bad mpg and running very rich. I can't seem to track down what's causing it.