So again, sorry for nub question, new to me truck, it's been cool/cold here lately (20-40's) but idling I hear a click, and drain on engine for a second or 2, then it stops.
The 'heat' is on mid-range temp, vents, or vent/floor on the right side of the dial.

Is this normal? It's not excessively loud or concerning just curious why it'd be on when outside temps so low.
I can watch the compressor start turning, then stop under the hood.

 

There is a clutch on the front of the a/c when the a/c is on the clutch spins to allow freon to pass through the system if it stops spinning then you are low on freon and if you run it like that for to long and you run out of freon you will lock up the a/c compressor and snap the belt this happened to me on my truck and we got stranded on the side of the road and had to get towed home. I would check your freon level

 

As for the compressor running ... the compressor will be activated in the floor/vent, vent or any of the defrost positions and of course the max ac position.

 

Interesting, so it's OK/Normal for it to cycle on/off even of outside temps are only in the 40's?

Guess I do need to check the freon level tho. I'll have to post a pic; but there is something that is just electrical taped on the pass side of the engine, on the large (1/2-3/4") black piping. Looks like there was supposed to be a clip/clamp, & it's just taped.

 

Just did a quick 'check' with an old refill hose I had leftover; engine off, 40 outside, stick it on & it read ~37 in the "filled" range.
I know that's not the correct way to check; but should mean it's not empty, or extremely low.

Here are pics of something, should I be concerned? If so how do I fix it? What are the parts called?

 

That's a a/c line don't know which one but I know it's not supposed to be taped like that lol. What size engine do you have?

 

3.0 FFV

 

I have the same engine as you give me a second ill post a pic of what mine looks like. I don't have a gage to check the a/c but if the needle was in the green section then your freon should be good but the clutch shouldn't be cycling when the ac is on you may have a leak or something going on

 

That is the connector for the ac line as you can see in my pics you should have a clip on there to hold it

 

Thanks; hopefully it's something easy to pop off at a junk yard.

 

Your welcome glad I could help

 

Popped one off in a jy, took off the tape and there was a clip on there!?

Guess maybe it rattled or something... ?