The idle speed drops big time when I turn on the AC. Possible problems?

JamesC

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What carb are you using? If its the qjet that came with the car it should have a little device that pushes the throttle back to compensate for added ac load. Located drivers side front of carb. If its there it has a plunger thats adjusted by a 1/2in wrench, turn the car/ac on put it in gear with the Ebrake block the tires "safty safty safty" and adjust it to a idle where the car dosent want to die out.
SSC

 

It is a Q-jet.

JamesC

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The "little device" is the fast idle solenoid. Check that the single wire running to it gets power when you turn on the A/C. If there's power but the solenoid doesn't push the rod out then the solenoid is broken... replace it. If it moves, but not far enough, adjust as per SSC

 

And if no current is reaching the solenoid?

JamesC

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Then the plunger will not pop out and adjust the idle to compensate for the AC load.
SSC

 

SSc,

I understand that, thank you; however, should the solenoid not be getting current, where would I start to effect a repair?

JamesC

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This indicates a bad wire. If the AC does kick on "clutch cycles/locks" Than splice into the green wire that goes to the compressor its self and run a new wire from there to the solenoid. If this doesent work take the solenoid off and grab a spare wire put the solenoid housing on the ground of the battery and run the power wire to the positive lead and see if the unit is good. If the unit is fryed I think there around 25/35$
Good luck!
SSC