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temperature fluctuation in a/c mode

my son has a 2001 isuzu rodeo sport with a 3.2liter v-6 engine. recently he has noticed a marked increase in coolant temp when idling with the a/c on. a recent fan clutch replacement did nothing to resolve the problem. same result with a coolant system flush and coolant replacement. upon accelerating to 1400 rpm or better, the temp goes back down to normal range. the radiator and a/c evaporator are free of debris. any ideas? thanks

Posted by: imicon
by: Joseph_E_Meehan 07/04/2009 7:01:31 AM
Top 20 Contributor
Re: temperature fluctuation in a/c mode
Radiator fan and worn water pump would be at the top of my list.
by: oldschool 07/04/2009 11:17:50 AM
Top 20 Contributor
Re: temperature fluctuation in a/c mode
Have you explored the possibility of high AC pressures,perhaps a recent AC charge was really a over charge.

I lean more towards poor performence from the radiator.
by: Manolito 07/04/2009 11:26:41 AM
Top 250 Contributor
Re: temperature fluctuation in a/c mode
1) Does this vehicle have an electric fan in front of the radiator that is supposed to come on when the A/C comes on, or when water temp hits a certain point, or when condenser pressure gets too high or some combination of conditions? Is it coming on? If you have no such electric fan, does the new fan clutch seem to connect fully when the car is warm? (turn off car and try to spin fan, should turn a little, but much stiffer than when car is cold)

2) Next suspect, water pump has eroded blades and inadequate flow at low RPM.

3) Radiator flush did not clear obstruction. Can you touch the whole back of the radiator with your hand? Is it uniformly hot all over?

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