With Electronic Climate Control

The compressor for the air conditioning system is belt-driven by the engine through the A/C compressor clutch. The clutch allows the compressor to be cycled on and off during normal operation, disengaged when air conditioning is not requested or disengaged when engine load must be reduced.

The heater and A/C programmer applies battery voltage to the powertrain control module (PCM) with the system operating in DEFOG, FRONT DEFROST or if the A/C button is selected.

Under normal operating conditions, the PCM then grounds the A/C compressor control relay coil and the relay energizes. The A/C compressor clutch engages and the compressor runs.

If the PCM determines that engine load should be reduced, such as during full throttle conditions, it will de-energize the A/C compressor control relay to disengage the compressor, even though the voltage signal from the heater and A/C programmer is still present.

The A/C compressor clutch diode, connected across the A/C compressor clutch terminals, provides a path for the current resulting from voltage spikes. The voltage spikes are generated by the collapsing magnetic field of the A/C compressor clutch coil, and occurs every time the coil is de-energized.