loses power running air or defroster

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missyuhaul - 06 Oct 2005 22:36 GMT

HELP... I owe a 2001 kia sephia took it for an oil change and to
diagnose this losing power problemWHEN I use ac or defroster.
I can live without the air, but windshield defroster runs off of ac
motor/fan!! I was ran thru the cleaners tuneup, timing belt, flush
trans,fuel filter,brakes etc. My car still lunges on shifting, lights
dim, wipers barely move with front defroster on. I can turn it off and
everything returns to normal. The dealer did not even test drive my
car to diagnose the problem, or to see if it was resolved as my
mileage was the same enter and exit.
I am laid off just paid $900. AND MY CAR STILL HAS A PROBLEM !!! CAN
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IT CAN BE, MY HUSBAND IS VERY ANGRY WITH
ME, AND I DO NOT WANT TO WASTE ANY MORE MONEY. MY CAR HAS 60800 MILES.

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CardSharking - 06 Oct 2005 23:03 GMT

> HELP... I owe a 2001 kia sephia took it for an oil change and to
> diagnose this losing power problemWHEN I use ac or defroster.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IT CAN BE, MY HUSBAND IS VERY ANGRY WITH
> ME, AND I DO NOT WANT TO WASTE ANY MORE MONEY. MY CAR HAS 60800 MILES.

I think it's and a electrical problem a short in the fan system your heater is using. I don't think it had
anything to do with your engine.

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missyuhaul - 07 Oct 2005 18:37 GMT

"" wrote:

> > HELP... I owe a 2001 kia sephia took it for an oil change
> and to
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> system your heater is using. I don't think it had
> anything to do with your engine.

thanks for the reply, I took some prior advice and went to autozone
for a free battery and alternator test, my alternator is fine, but my
battery was shot! I replaced the battery and drove all day with the
air cranking...problem solved. I will keep your reply in mind in case
further trouble should arise. Thank you!

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mecircusboy - 11 Oct 2005 01:39 GMT

I own a 2004 rio it does same thing was told by kia motors rep (not
dealer) that this is not fixable the ac unit is to big for engine and
creates a lot of drag when used. Just a bad design

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Newtokia - 11 Oct 2005 04:43 GMT

>I own a 2004 rio it does same thing was told by kia motors rep (not
> dealer) that this is not fixable the ac unit is to big for engine and
> creates a lot of drag when used. Just a bad design

Check your manual and discover how the defroster system works. The A/C
kicks in by default to reduce humidity in the cabin and condensation on the
glass.

You should be able to shut off the A/C manually in this situation and
recover the lost power. Just make sure you have the 'Recirc' switch set for
fresh air intake and, if push comes to shove, open a rear window a little to
'balance' the humidity in the cabin with what's outside.

Just to see how much drag the A/C compressor puts on such a small motor try
full acceleration with the switch on and turn it off as you continue to
accelerate. You'll feel a distinct surge in power as the compressor kicks
out.

It's a trade-off between personal comfort and good mileage :-)

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