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I am new to this site, but I am not to Eric’s content. I think I have watched 90% of his videos and I love him. Back to my questions. I have recently inherited my grandfather’s 1997 Ford Ranger with 100,000 miles (I believe its the standard because it has no perks and no other markings on the car). My grandfather (who served in the Marines in the Korean War) was my idol and I want this car to last as long as possible because its the only thing I have left from him. I sold my 2002 Ford Focus (that was in great shape) to get this car from one of my family members.I do have an issue with the A/C system and I have heeded Eric’s warning and going to take it for service for that issue. I want everyone here that reads this to know I am by no one’s standards a professional or even an adequate DIYer, I can do some things but nothing too crazy.
When I was looking at what component the A/C system could have been bad, I was looking at the compressor and it seemed to have a bit of a wobble, but as I was looking at the belt I saw (what I believe to be the tensioner) to be moving back and forth every time the A/C compressor would turn on and off. I looked at the diagram of the belt and I believe it was the tensioner. My first question, does the tensioner move back and forth to provide tension for the belt?
My second question is the car runs really well, but when I turn the A/C on (any setting) it begins to run really rough, and when I’m at a stop the car seems to hesitate or sputter. This weekend I plan to change all the fluids (motor oil, transmission oil, and coolant fluid, power steering fluid) and run seafoam through the engine. I would like to address the hesitation to the truck as well but I have no idea what it could be. My guess would be that there is an issue with one of the pullies but I’m not 100% certain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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When I was looking at what component the A/C system could have been bad, I was looking at the compressor and it seemed to have a bit of a wobble, but as I was looking at the belt I saw (what I believe to be the tensioner) to be moving back and forth every time the A/C compressor would turn on and off. I looked at the diagram of the belt and I believe it was the tensioner. My first question, does the tensioner move back and forth to provide tension for the belt?
Tensioner movement ( ~ 1/4″ – 3/8″ give or take ) while placed under load is not unusual.
If it is swing more than that I would suspect the tensioner spring is weakened.My second question is the car runs really well, but when I turn the A/C on (any setting) it begins to run really rough, and when I’m at a stop the car seems to hesitate or sputter. This weekend I plan to change all the fluids (motor oil, transmission oil, and coolant fluid, power steering fluid) and run seafoam through the engine. I would like to address the hesitation to the truck as well but I have no idea what it could be. My guess would be that there is an issue with one of the pullies but I’m not 100% certain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
There should be a sensor, that when you engage the AC, will raise the idle to compensate for the extra load put on the engine.
This sensor or the wiring could be faulty.hey nightflyr, I want to start off by thanking you for your input. I do have a question about what you said. How do I go about looking for the sensor that has gone bad? Do I start with the EGR or PCV or MAF? Those are sensors that I have seen videos about. I know I’m a novice but I’m very willing to learn. Would it help if I switched out the serpentine belt?
If I remember correctly the movement of the Tensioner was within that range of movement. I will further investigate tonight when I get home.Do I start with the EGR or PCV or MAF? Those are sensors that I have seen videos about. I know I’m a novice but I’m very willing to learn.
Slow down there cowboy..
The sensor your looking for is located within the AC system.
It is designed to tell the computer that the AC (when turned on ) is loading the engine more and the computer in turn compensates by raising the idle.
You will need a diagram of your specific vehicles AC system it should Identify all the components.Would it help if I switched out the serpentine belt?
Unless it is:
Worn out
Fraying
Has excessive cracking
Excessively stretched
ETC I’d think you would just be wasting moneythank you so so much! I will keep you posted on what I figure out when I take a closer look tonight. I truly appreciate all the help you have given me.
Sounds like to me the sensor the a.c. is bad also the sensor on your ranger should be near the a.c. dryer and your tensioner sounds like it’s in spec to me if the belt is cracked or cracking you should change it but for the a.c. problem I would start with the sensor for the a.c.
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