97 probe...Problems when my A/C is on....?

Question

I have a 1997 ford probe and when I run the A/C ewhile I am driving I have no problem, but when I am in park or stopped at a light my A?C starts to drain the power from my battery. I can have my lights on and the radio and nothing happens. It is only when I am running the A/C as far as I have seen. I watched it and the engine starts to shake and rattle when I have the A/C on and it in park, every time the engine shakes the battery indicater in my car shows more drainage. Please help...

Well I can't choose a best answer yet, but I can tell anyone who lives in NY to go to Auto Zone. They test the battery, the altornator, and check the belts for free... I called and they told me that it probably isnt the battery it may very well be the belts because in the winter the belt was screaming... so yea.. Goin to Auto Zone tonight and checkin it out.

Well I can't choose a best answer yet, but I can tell anyone who lives in NY to go to Auto Zone. They test the battery, the altornator, and check the belts for free... I called and they told me that it probably isnt the battery it may very well be the belts because in the winter the belt was screaming... so yea.. Goin to Auto Zone tonight and checkin it out.

Answer 1

There are three possible problems here....

1) Alternator - Your alternator may not be putting out enough voltage at low RPM to accomodate the increase electrical drain from the AC. Easy test - start the car with no accesories or AC running... disconnect the NEGative side battery cable. The car should keep running, then one by one turn on the radio, then the lights, then the AC. If the car dies.... your alternator isn't puting out enough juice. If this is the case.. take it to an auto parts store such as AutoZone or O'Riely' and the have an alternator/battery testor (you could do this first).
2) Compressor - The AC compressor could be going out and difficult to turn. Thus when you turn on the AC it takes such a large amount of power to turn it.. that the engine is 'dragged down' thus reducing the speed of the alternator and thus reducing the charge.
3) Compressor Idle Solinoid - There is a solinoid on the throttle that pushes up the idle speed when the AC is on to compensate for the additional power requirements of the compressor (see #2 above). If this solinoid isn't working properly you can have the same results as #2 above.

Have someone validate the Alternator is working properly first. Check the battery while they are at it. The check the solinoid for the idle 'kick up'. Then move the AC (this is the most expensive item).

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Sounds like the A/C compressor is starting to Seize up. Take it to the dealer and have them take a look.
If the Compressor totally Seizes it could cause the clutch to overheat and strat a fire.

The A/C Compressor is putting a very heavy "Load" on you engine and that causes your engine to slow down and not turn the alternator fast enough to charge the battery. That's why the "Light" comes on ;-)

Answer 3

I have a probe and it does kinda a similar thing, its an 89 though. Whenever i get to a stop light or something like the car vibrates really hard and my RPMs drop to barley over 1000rpm. Then like all the lights in my car on my dashboard and everything starts kinda waving and flickering sorta, probes are not the greatest cars. Take it to a car shop if you really want it fixed

Answer 4

You have problems with either the a/c, the battery, the wiring or all three. Get it checked out.

Answer 5

Either you have a Short in your A/C circuit, OR your alternator is going out and doesn't put out enough juice to run your a/c while you are stopped

Answer 6

Don't use the AC, roll down the windows.

The Probe was fraught with issues! You should get a new car.

Answer 7

been selling cars for 10 years. one of the worst cars on the market. get rid of the thing while you can.