Loss of power with a/c 2001 xlt

[gburkett93]

Seems i lose power when i turn the ac on and it surges a little while driving. Does anyone else have this problem. 2001 ext cab 3.0 engine.
thanks

[KDM_95Ranger]

Yes, my 95 Ranger 3.0 has same symtoms especially in 3rd gear. It has a loss of power during high loads climbing hills/moutains when using the AC. It also has clicking noise but that may be the gas I use. None of this happens when not using the AC. I think a switch must be activated to change the ignition timing when the AC is on.

I live with it.

[poison_ivey]

loss of power due to ac on happens to all cars, new or old, b/c it runs off the accessary belt which runs off the crankshaft. that all means that when u turn ur ac on, it means ur engine has to do more work, which means less horses are getting to the wheel.the more things u connect to the accessory belt, the less preformance u get. but superchargers are different, they take away power @ first, but b/c those horses work to bring air into the engine, the sc ends up making more power/ net power.

just to summorize
1. ur ac needs power to work.
2. it gets power from engine, so u feel like u getting less preforance.

i hoped that helped somewhat

[KDM_95Ranger]

Thanks for your response. I know that using AC results in loss of power since the belts must drive the compressor. What I have experienced with my 95 Ranger is a "missing or lurching" behavior especially in 3rd gear. I have replaced the ignition wires and spark plugs but it still behaves that way. I even took it to the Ford dealer, who charge me, didn't fix the problem and now they are in denial that it happens.

Do you know the name of the switch that kicks in when the AC is on or does the software in the computer make adjustments to the ignition? (Most cars have some kind of switch that works with the AC and ignition)

[poison_ivey]

sorry, cant help u there. i dont even have a ranger yet