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billyboblyons · Mar 26, 2008, 09:31 AM

I know this sounds dumb and I don't know a lot but the truck overheats once every two weeks and I have coolant, the thermostat is good but the AC compressor kicks on frequently. Is this normal?

twinkiedooter · Mar 26, 2008, 01:53 PM

The AC compressor should not kick on unless you have the AC turned on. What you are probably referring to is the actual fan at the front of the engine. Yes, this is normal to kick on. You should get your truck looked at and fixed before your truck overheats and you end up ruining your engine. If it overheats every two weeks that is far too much frequency to just keep driving it and not know the real problem. Your radiator could be clogged.

this8384 · Mar 27, 2008, 03:11 PM

[QUOTE=twinkiedooter]The AC compressor should not kick on unless you have the AC turned on.[QUOTE]
Not entirely true; the compressor will turn on if he has the heating system set to Defrost.
He very well could be referring to the cooling fan, which could also be the whole problem. If the fan or the fan switch is bad, it may not be turning on at the appropriate times, causing the vehicle to overheat.

To bill: How hot is the vehicle getting? If it gets above 240, you need to pull over immediately and shut it off. Like twinkie said, if you keep driving it you may end up causing some major damage. When did it start overheating?

MOWERMAN2468 · Mar 27, 2008, 04:08 PM

If the a/c repeatedly cuts on and off, it could be an indication of low freon.

billyboblyons · Mar 28, 2008, 09:45 AM

[QUOTE=this8384][QUOTE=twinkiedooter]The AC compressor should not kick on unless you have the AC turned on.

Not entirely true; the compressor will turn on if he has the heating system set to Defrost.
He very well could be referring to the cooling fan, which could also be the whole problem. If the fan or the fan switch is bad, it may not be turning on at the appropriate times, causing the vehicle to overheat.

To bill: How hot is the vehicle getting? If it gets above 240, you need to pull over immediately and shut it off. Like twinkie said, if you keep driving it you may end up causing some major damage. When did it start overheating?

This8384: I guess I use the wrong term by saying "overheating". The gauge goes into the red zone. I turn the truck off and in five minutes, the temp is OK.

this8384 · Mar 29, 2008, 05:07 AM

Does it overheat immediately or does it take a few minutes to get up in the red zone? Are you 100% positive that it actually is the compressor kicking on or is it the fan in front of the radiator? If it is the compressor, is it kicking on and off or does it just switch on every once in awhile?