I have a 2003 Ranger 4.0. and at idle i notice something clicking on and off and the idle will change slightly. So i pop the hood and look and see that the power steering pump is stopping and starting and the belt will run freely over the pulley then it will kick back in and start spinning agian.. Did some looking around and it seems as if some people will take a AC clutch and put it on their power sterring unit.. Is this what i got going on here? and if so what are the advantages of this? and what conrtols whenit kicks on and off?


thanks

 

On my 08 Ranger, that describes how my a/c clutch looks and operates. Nothing like that on my p/s pump.

 

A few pictures might help.

Hard to believe there is an A/C Clutch on the Power Steering (PS).

Is your A/C on, it works in a number of positions other than the A/C setting ?

What would be gained by putting a clutch on the PS, gain a couple of HPs but lose the easy steering ?

Get some pictures and someone might be able to help a little easier.

 

i will get some pics - ASAP

 

On my 02 with the 4.0L this is the AC compressor, it clicks on and off normally, but I believe turning the A/C on will force it on (try messing with the A/C dial you'll see there's correlation between turning it on and off and having the compressor click on and off). Mine operates in exactly the same way.

 

Where is your AC Compressor Located?