I have a problem with my 97 Taurus wagon where the temp guage starts to climb when I turn the air conditioner on. I checked the fans and they are on when the air conditioning turns on. When I turn the a/c off, the temp quickly drops back down to normal operating temperature, even when it is 32 degrees celcius (about 90 fahrenheit) outside.
Does the fact that the engine immediately starts getting hot when I turn on the air indicate that something is wrong with the compressor?
After I turn the air conditioning off, there is a hissing as if something is leaking from the left hand side of the engine compartment to the rear of the compressor. Is this a normal depressurization or could a leak cause the overheating problem?
Coolant level and color is good. Car can idle all day in the heat with no a/c on and temp does not get above halfway.
Any ideas?
Eric