I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

As the title says...I think my A/C compressor is going out. The problem - whenever I activate my heat (using the "auto" button) the engine seems like it bogs down a bit, the car accelerates noticeably slower (and not very smoothly), the transmission bangs gears at low speeds and seems to shift at odd times, and the car in general is unresponsive and sluggish. It behaves sort of like it's dragging the brakes. And, I've been getting horrible gas mileage. I don't know the exact number (only been thru one tank since I got it, and forgot to reset the trip when I filled it), but I think it's in the range of 10 - 11 mpg :mad: I have had the heat on almost the whole time though.

My car does have brake issues (which will be taken care of probably this spring), but this is a different problem, because the car behaves normally when the heat is turned off. :confused: I tried activating the heat and looking under the hood, but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Everything seems like it's working properly when inspected.

I know some cars activate the A/C compressor when the HVAC is used (even when heat is on) to pull moisture from the cabin air. Does the SVX do this? I have a feeling that it might, and that it is my compressor causing these problems.

Does this sound like it could be possible, or am I way off base? Does anyone else know what it might be / have suggestions on how to fix it?

Re: I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

I think you are offbase here. First, the AC system is not activated when the heater is on. Usually if the compressor goes out, it is the bearings in the clutch which makes a very nasty noise. I would guess that it is a brake issue instead, but the only reason that I mention that is you said that your SVX has some issues. Mileage varies quite a bit depending on how you drive and if you just got the car, I would guess you are not driving it like you had an egg between your foot and the peddle. :lol:

So, I would think it is something other than your AC cmopressor. Good luck. :)

Re: I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

I think if you use the econ setting it bypasses the compressor so you may be able to feel a difference in the way it runs/drives.worth a shot and it doesn't cost a dime.I try to use the process of elimination when troubleshooting:)

Re: I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

i agree with earl. I've never heard an ac compressor go bad without a really nasty noise going along with it. Besides, if it is seizing up, it'll break the belt before it'll cause the engine to bog down. I think you're dealing with another issue here.

Re: I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

Hm, ok then...I was just thinking that was it, because the issue seems correlated with the climate control. I can't think of anything else that may cause it.

Stumped over here. Thanks for the input everyone, I'll stop concentrating on the compressor and look elsewhere for the issue. Or maybe it's just all in my head :p

Re: I think my A/C compressor is seizing up?
 

Yes, the AC compressor does run in defrost mode (except when really cold) to remove humidity from the cabin, and I believe it will also cycle in AUTO for the same purpose, down to a certain fixed temp. But I agree with the others that that's not the likely problem. You'd hear that thing growling if it were trying to seize, and/or notice on the belt guard that it's slinging oil. (I've had both.)

Removing the AC drive belt would be the simplest, surest way to check.

dcb