Ford Repair: a/c compressor or clutch, pressure relief valve, zx5

Question
vehicle is 2003 focus 2.0 ZX5. when car is at idle it runs fairly normal..when she turns on the air the compressor turns on and off real hard and bogs down the engine...would that be a bad compressor?

Answer
does the a/c operate normally ?? ie.. blowing cold air-- if so and she is the original owner then i would say you have a mild restriction in the system as a result of the the comprssor starting to failed and metal from the compressor get stuck in what is called the fixed orrifice causing the restriction, if she is not the original owner it is possible the system is over charged but should clear it self over time as the high side pressure relief valve will blow off excess freon when the pressures get to high. take care and be good.. -b-