Date:         Thu, 26 Jul 2001 07:01:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: AC Question
Comments: To: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

John Rodgers wrote:

> I finally got my engine idle, and idle stabilizer valve to co-operate
> and can now run my airconditioner with the engine at idle, and the
> engine idle speed stays fairly normal for AC operation...ie, 1100 to
> 1200 rpm. However, fans are running all over the place.
>
> With the AC on, I can hear a radiator cooling fan running. The fan runs
> al the time as long as the AC is turned on....it never shuts off a best
> I can tell, except when the AC is turned off. If the engine idles very
> long at all with the AC turned on, the high speed cooling fan turns on
> then cycles back off after a bit.
>
> Is this normal operation for both fan speeds when the AC is turned on?
>
> Thanks for  any input.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver in HOT, HOT, HOT ol' Alabama

On my 91 GL, the radiator fan cycles on and off (low speed) along with the
AC compressor.  If you always have your temp control turned all the way up,
this might mean that your compressor and fan are on all the time.
  There is also a switch (see Bentley) that kicks the fan up to a "higher"
speed when the refrigerant pressure gets up to about 200 psi on the high
side.  I'm not sure if this is the second stage or third stage fan speed.
  If your system is working properly, the compressor should cycle on and
off when the temp control is set to a moderate level.  If you can't hear it
cycle, you might want to monitor the voltage on the wire that leads to the
compressor clutch.

Larry A.