could be your a\c clutch in the compressor.?. or maybe pressure leaks.
AC Compressor clutch relay may be stuck. Remove the relay and see if the clutch releases.
If the a/c is working, it uses a lot of power(12-15hp) If the clutch is bad and not engaging, then the answer is No.(0hp) If the clutch is ok and compressor is starting to seize due to improper lubrication then Yes the power drain would be higher than normal.
Assuming this is a factory installed a/c system and not an aftermarket one, there are several possibilities for the clutch engaging and disengaging. When the compressor cycles off, do both fans go off at the same time? The clutch and fans should work together in a properly operating system. The airconditioner routinely would cycle on and off in a good system to prevent the evaporator core from forming ice on the cooling fins and blocking airflow. If the clutch only cycles on and off and the fans remain running, a wiring problem say at the connection to the clutch or the thermal switch on the compressor itself may be defective. Another possibility is that the clutch coil is developing an "open circuit" but cycle times of the clutch engaging and disengaging would be fairly long. I'm sure there are more things that may cause your problem but these are good places to start looking.
If the clutch was not disengaging I would say the clutch master is empty of hydraulic fluid, this would be a result of a leak in the master or the slave cylinder. If the clutch is not engaging I would suspect the clutch disc has shredded in which case the clucth assembly would have to be replaced.
The A/C compressor is clutch driven, when electricity is applied to a coil, it engages the clutch. Most likely the coil shorted out in the A/C clutch on the front of the compressor.
Clutch engaging/charged- (freon) I would check those things next. If you are low R12, you might have a bad o ring somewhere.
your clutch may not be fully engaging
if the gap between the clutch plate on the front of the compressor is too wide it will also have a hard time engaging. A/C clutch relay too weak to initiate current demand, clutch windings weak, poor ground or even inline diode (if equipped). When you jump start the compressor you are surging the wire windings which aligns the electrons (temporarily) so the next cycle requires less of a jolt.
Maybe the compressor clutch is not being sent power from the switch in the cab. I'd yank the panel out and have a look at the switch. FriPilot
the Clutch is not fully disengaged. compressor might need to be replaced. I would bring it to the shop. Look at the Compressor and if u notice shavings then it has done its duty. If you do not want the AC anymore and want a cheap fix. Just go to a AC shop and get them to remove the clutch. the Clutch is not fully disengaged. compressor might need to be replaced. I would bring it to the shop. Look at the Compressor and if u notice shavings then it has done its duty. If you do not want the AC anymore and want a cheap fix. Just go to a AC shop and get them to remove the clutch.
low freon, bad pressure switch, bad compressor clutch.