AC would work for ten minutes or so after start up and then crap out. Assumed the gap had gotten too large and removed a shim from behind the clutch. AC worked, but clutch wouldn't disengage. After ten minutes or so, I turned off the AC and noticed that my dial for temperature control was suddenly spring loaded to shoot back to the center position.

Assumed I was wrong about the gap being the issue, so I replaced the shim. The clutch still will not disengage.

Any thoughts or advice?

 

Even when ac is off?

 

Yes. Even when temperature dial is set to middle position or hot. Only time it stops is when fan (dial with 0-4) is set too 0.

I haven't spent much time working on cars, so if I say something that sounds like a turnip could have phrased better, I apologize.

 

Whay years this ?

 

98 4L

 

Dash panel look like this ? Anny time blower motors on compressor gonna be engaged .

 

Yeah, it looks like that. Thought compressor was supposed to run for a bit, kick off, then click back on a few minutes later.

 

As for the dial being spring loaded, your blend door is stuck. 98 should be the non electronic kind with the cable. There is a plastic pin that lets the door hinge when the cable/dial is moved, and it breaks leaving the door stuck. The only way to truly fix it is to dismantle your whole dash and replace the door assembly. There is a shortcut however that involves placing a template over the HVAC box under the dash without dismantling it, and cutting with a dremel to get access to the blend door. You can then fix it and glue the cut out piece back in place. Here is the link http://www.heatertreater.net/magento...kee-97-06.html

 

It should when you turn ac on does it click in or its stuck in all the time.

 

It clicked in.

 

If acs off and you start it what does it do ?

 

First thing first.
Find out if it is "commanded" to turn off.

Here's how.
when it is running and engaged (with AC switched to off) pull the AC relay out.
you will know right away if the something electrically is wrong or mechanically.

I always try to figure what works for sure first before I dive head first into problem.

If it stays engaged with the breaker pulled, its a mechanical problem.

From the manual:
Check the clutch air gap with a feeler gauge
(Fig. 29). If the air gap does not meet the specification,
add or subtract shims as required. The air gap
specification is 0.41 to 0.79 mm (0.016 to 0.031 inch).
If the air gap is not consistent around the circumference
of the clutch, lightly pry up at the minimum
variations. Lightly tap down at the points of maximum
variation.

If you need the full instructions let me know, I have all factory manuals from 97-00 as well as part list