idle problem with my 96 Ram 1500

[jscheuffele]

Originally Posted by Slade901

More than likely the ac compressor pulley is seizing up when the ac clutch engages when you turn on the AC.

If the compressor pulley was seizing up, wouldn't the A/C not work? How would I check to see if it were seizing?

[Slade901]

Originally Posted by jscheuffele

If the compressor pulley was seizing up, wouldn't the A/C not work? How would I check to see if it were seizing?

If the belt squeels when you turn on the AC then the belt is having difficulty spinning the ac compressor pulley when the ac clutch is engaged and the belt is rubbing off the ac compressor pulley and you hear that belt squeeling noise.

You don't hear the belt squeels when the ac is not on because the ac pulley is rotating along the direction of the belt routing. Once the ac is turned on then the ac pulley is partially stuck and won't rotate easily and so the belt is now sliding off the ac pulley and makes the belt squeels.

[jscheuffele]

The belt squeels when the a/c is off also. and the belt that is squeeling is in the front lower passenger side corner of the engine. (I don't know exactly where the a/c compressor is, so I'm not sure if this would be that belt.) But I can also get it to squeek when the truck is off, and I just push on the belt a little bit. Granted, it's not as bad as when the truck is on, but it does still squeek. If that is the a/c belt, would i have to replace the a/c compressor, or how would I fix that problem? Thanks

[Slade901]

take the serpentine belt off and try to spin the ac compressor pulley. You should find out exactly if the ac compressor pulley is hard to turn if it's partially seized. The serpentine belt should route on alternator pulley, power steering pulley, water pump pulley, harmonic balancer pulley (lowest), and ac compressor pulley.

[jscheuffele]

Thanks for your help. Ok, I took of the surpentine belt and spun the a/c compressor by hand, and it moved pretty easily. Anything else it could be? Or do you know where the low idle adjustment screw is, for a temporary fix for this? Thanks.

[jscheuffele]

Update: I noticed that when I turn the wheel really sharp, as if to park, it will sometimes die, with the A/C off. So, the strain from the Power Steering pump will cause it to die as well as turning on the a/c... does this ring a bell to anyone as a specific problem? Thanks!