AC Clutch Killing my Battery?

5150gixxer · 06-26-2009, 11:10 AM

Have a 97 1 ton 4x4 5.7 liter. Went to start it and the battery was dead. Voltage check showed 0.14 volts something was left on but I could not see anything. Put a jumper pack on and I heard my AC Compressor clutch click and engage, no key in the ignition and not on. Took the jumper pack off and it disengaged. Disconnected Battery and Charged it/connected it back up and the clutch engaged again. Took volt reading that showed 11.8. Unplugged the clutch wiring from the compressor and it disengaged and the volt meter jumped up to 12.4. Obviously this is the drain. Any ideas why the clutch would engage and hold while the truck is not on. Side note i did the same process but with the fuse from the cabin fuse block removed and it acted the same...help please, local temp supposed to hit 107 today. Thanks all and sorry if similar problem posted somewhere else but i searched and did not see anything.

silverhairdeere · 06-26-2009, 11:29 AM

check the relay , upper left cornor behind plastic panal on pass side .

shd

5150gixxer · 06-26-2009, 11:54 AM

is there an easy way to actually check the relay with a volt meter? Some one actually told me there are 3 relays that are AC related on that fuse block (AC relay, Blower Motor Relay and Cold Advance Relay) I was told any of these relays could possibly be the problem, any truth to that...Thx

hotrodpc · 06-26-2009, 02:56 PM

I'd say of the 3, its the AC relay, not the Blower Motor or Cold Advance. You probably just had a relay get a little hot, and it welded itself at the contact points and won't let go now. If you can find the other relays, activate them by whatever switch and then see if you can hear them clicking. IF they are clicking on and off, that should be the one that is NOT your problem. You'll be looking for the one that does not click cuz its already connected and not letting go.

5150gixxer · 06-27-2009, 04:49 PM

Fixed all, it was the AC relay......Only problem I think I figured out why it went bad. My AC compressor seems to be siezed. When the compressor kicks on it actuallu stalls the engine cause it wont spin. Rev it up and turned on the AC and it just squeels as I can see the belt sliding over the pulley and it not spinning. I think the Compressor is beyond my expertise since I don't have the tools/machine to discharge and recharge. I want to say thanks to all who help with the original problem. Thanks this is a great Forum, I don't post much but I read a lot on it and it's informative. Thanks again

06-26-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
5150gixxer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	AC Clutch Killing my Battery? Have a 97 1 ton 4x4 5.7 liter. Went to start it and the battery was dead. Voltage check showed 0.14 volts something was left on but I could not see anything. Put a jumper pack on and I heard my AC Compressor clutch click and engage, no key in the ignition and not on. Took the jumper pack off and it disengaged. Disconnected Battery and Charged it/connected it back up and the clutch engaged again. Took volt reading that showed 11.8. Unplugged the clutch wiring from the compressor and it disengaged and the volt meter jumped up to 12.4. Obviously this is the drain. Any ideas why the clutch would engage and hold while the truck is not on. Side note i did the same process but with the fuse from the cabin fuse block removed and it acted the same...help please, local temp supposed to hit 107 today. Thanks all and sorry if similar problem posted somewhere else but i searched and did not see anything.

06-26-2009, 02:56 PM	#4
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,166	I'd say of the 3, its the AC relay, not the Blower Motor or Cold Advance. You probably just had a relay get a little hot, and it welded itself at the contact points and won't let go now. If you can find the other relays, activate them by whatever switch and then see if you can hear them clicking. IF they are clicking on and off, that should be the one that is NOT your problem. You'll be looking for the one that does not click cuz its already connected and not letting go. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

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06-26-2009, 11:29 AM	#2
silverhairdeere Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: land between the lakes tn Posts: 1,184	check the relay , upper left cornor behind plastic panal on pass side . shd

06-26-2009, 11:54 AM	#3
5150gixxer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	is there an easy way to actually check the relay with a volt meter? Some one actually told me there are 3 relays that are AC related on that fuse block (AC relay, Blower Motor Relay and Cold Advance Relay) I was told any of these relays could possibly be the problem, any truth to that...Thx

06-27-2009, 04:49 PM	#5
5150gixxer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6	Fixed all, it was the AC relay......Only problem I think I figured out why it went bad. My AC compressor seems to be siezed. When the compressor kicks on it actuallu stalls the engine cause it wont spin. Rev it up and turned on the AC and it just squeels as I can see the belt sliding over the pulley and it not spinning. I think the Compressor is beyond my expertise since I don't have the tools/machine to discharge and recharge. I want to say thanks to all who help with the original problem. Thanks this is a great Forum, I don't post much but I read a lot on it and it's informative. Thanks again