Air conditioner problems

1997 FORD EXPLORER
144,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WOODWARD2213
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If I am in my drive way and turn on my air conditioner my car dies. If I am driving it works, but my car overheats. If I come to an idle if my car does not die the rpm's will pulse. If the air conditioner is off I have none of these issues. Any ideas?
Jun 10, 2016 at 11:12 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Sounds like a bad air conditioner compressor, with the engine off and cold see if the center of the air conditioner compressor pulley turns freely.
Jun 10, 2016 at 3:05 PM
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WOODWARD2213
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Should the belt be on or off? Tried it with the belt on and its solid as a rock.
Jun 11, 2016 at 2:39 AM
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WOODWARD2213
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Ok should the belt be on or off? Tried it with the belt on and its solid as a rock.
Jun 11, 2016 at 3:53 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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Different feller

Maybe my pic will help? See Below

The Medic
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Jun 11, 2016 at 9:16 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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With the belt on and engine off the center should spin.
Jun 11, 2016 at 1:17 PM
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WOODWARD2213
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Oh yea it spins free.
Jun 11, 2016 at 11:30 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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The comp may be seizing up, the clutch is free running but the comp when the clutch energizes is causing the problem.
Jun 12, 2016 at 9:50 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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The center of the AC clutch is attached to the AC compressors shaft when the AC clutch engages it connects the out side pulley which is spun by the drive belt.unless it has a valve style compressor which the center of the pulley spins all the time.Until the valve activates the compressor.
Jun 12, 2016 at 10:20 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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I have seen AC clutches go bad and kill the engine when they engage.But the SC compressor is fine.Can you take s picture of the AC clutch and post it.
Jun 12, 2016 at 10:22 AM
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WOODWARD2213
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The center spins free.
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Jun 18, 2016 at 3:18 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Is your radiator fan working properly?
Jun 19, 2016 at 4:00 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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I didn't catch when you first asked the question you said something about it overheating.
Jun 19, 2016 at 10:38 AM
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