AC Stops when accelerating

[wemertz]

When I am accelerating, usually towing my boat, the AC shuts down until I let off on the gas pedal. When I bought it: 2001 Expedition 5.4 the AC didn't work because of a broken vacuum line behind the battery. Fixed that and the AC works fine except when the truck is under load and accelerating. Any ideas where I might start looking to fix this issue would be appreciated. Also, I don't know if this is a contributing factor, but the chk suspension light comes on after driving on the highway for about 15 minutes.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[stamp11127]

Check the system pressures on both the low and high side at idle and when the engine is reved.

 

[05expedeb]

Is the compressor cutting out or is it that you lose a/c from the vents Do you have manual climate or automatic climate controls

 

[EightIsEnough]

I had an old van that did something similar. My dash vents went to the defrost and floor vents while accelerating. It is a rotting vacuum line to the vent control.

 

[wemertz]

A/C problem

Check the system pressures on both the low and high side at idle and when the engine is reved.

I am not sure what you mean by the low and high side??
I do have a vacuum gauge….where would I attach it?
It is an automated system.
I haven't used it since last fall, but it just stopped coming out the vents. May have gone to the defrost area, but not sure. I will have to check that out.

Thanks for you input.

 

[05expedeb]

What is refered to as high side or low side is the pressure fittings for the A/C system

 

[05expedeb]

In your original post you said you fixed a vacuum line and after that the A/C was working. Being you had the vacuum line problem you may want to check if you have any other vacuum leaks as a loos of vacuum during acceleration can cause the vacuum controls to act like you describe. BUT if the a/c is cutting out then it would be best to get the high/low side readings. If you don't have a set of a/c gauges you could have a shop check your system.
One way to check for a vacuum leak would be to spray some carb cleaner around the vacuum hoses etc while the engine is running If you hear an increase in RPM's you found a leak

 

[Linda Trantham]

When I am accelerating, usually towing my boat, the AC shuts down until I let off on the gas pedal. When I bought it: 2001 Expedition 5.4 the AC didn't work because of a broken vacuum line behind the battery. Fixed that and the AC works fine except when the truck is under load and accelerating. Any ideas where I might start looking to fix this issue would be appreciated. Also, I don't know if this is a contributing factor, but the chk suspension light comes on after driving on the highway for about 15 minutes.

Thanks,

Wayne