Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? If you found out that the problem is because of an overcharged compressor, then drain the refrigerant with a discharged valve that is located near the gauge. 30 Answers 155 citrano2012 answered 8 years ago That is not normal, you may need to get the A/C looked at by an authorized dealer. - My E350's AC was not working (clutch not engaging) so I added two cans (22 oz.) Pasted as rich text. As for the engine coolant temp sensor, if the coolant is not hot enough to make the fan come on, then there is no need for the fan yet and there is no problem . Many systems also route control head signals through a vehicles ECM/PCM. Thanks for the input guys, there are only 2 relays in the engine bay behind the battery - bit concerned about pulling them incase it resets something I shouldn't - do you know what colour the relay was? January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. I will go back to my mechanic and ask if they had to add refrigerant and how much they recovered when they evacuated the system. 2012 Ford Escape 3.0 last week my AC went out! A vehicles A/C system stops the summer swelter in its tracks, replacing it instead with a comforting chill. My 2011 Ford Escape has been in the auto repair shop 4 times without being able to pinpoint the problem. Just driving to nowhere alone, with your friends, or your . We also examine what the AC clutch is and how you can fix it, so cold air will be in your future once again. Marvel Mystery Oil vs Seafoam: Which is The Better Choice? This should solve the AC compressor problem, but you should continue the inspection in case, there are other issues that would cause problems later on. Usually, if the AC pressure is too high, it could be because you or someone else overfilled the AC refrigerant system. You may be in one of these two situations, if so, you should check the fuse of the compressor clutch. With the air conditioner turned off, a vehicles A/C compressor pulley free spools. Look closely and observe the front part of your clutch. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. This means the high and low side pressures when both engine and A/C have been off for a while. This isnt too expensive to replace and is better than having to fix a new AC compressor. A/C only blows cold air below 78 degrees or so. No problems since then (two years ago). If you have no power then it will not engage the compressor. The club is not part of Ford Motor Company (UK or Worldwide) nor affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company (UK or Worldwide) in any way. How much does a Car AC Repair cost? Then 2-3 weeks later, my wife says she saw a puff of smoke come out of the vents (not sure if it was smoke or vapor or what). I appreciate the help and sorry for me english it's very rusty. Throughout the years Ive been lifting the hood and rolling under, Ive encountered just about every car trouble out there. In some cases, the wiring may be fine but the harness is the problem. (These are the ports where the gauges are connected. Perhaps someone can help get to bottom of this. Belt: If the serpentine belt is worn . We recommend starting with the power wire to the AC clutch. zain611 We took it to our mechanic (who I trust). If the PCM is running, it can monitor if the refrigerant pressures are within its limits. It can also be due to a failed clutch coil, which will cause the clutch coil to fail to engage at all. 2. Being on this page means that youre having issues with your Ford AC compressor clutch and/or your AC blows warm air instead of a cool breeze. The power going to the AC compressor relay is going to be fused, so check that fuse while youre at it as well. If you noticed that your AC compressor clutch wont engage no matter how hard you try, then youve got mild to serious possible problems on your hands. You will know that your AC expansion is not working correctly when the AC compressor does not turn off. But, I have no reason to think it will last. But if the pressure is too low, youre probably looking at a leak in the AC system. Car Maintenance, General Repair, Trouble Shooting, and Everything Car Related. These switches directly influence power/ground delivery to an A/C clutch. Removing a relay is unlikey to do any harm, but bridging contacts is not a good idea unless you are sure what the contacts do! You dont want to turn the pulley where it is attached to the belt. Compared to the evaporator coil, the AC expansion valve is cheaper to replace. Make sure that the clutch and the pulley is spinning simultaneously. The Ac Works Ok After A Little While On, But Not Like It Use To. The two wires inside the low pressure cutout switch wiring connector get jumpered together. 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Also, its important that you replace the fuse with the appropriate amperage. Started 14 hours ago, By srpocd25 They checked for leaks but found none. It should be replaced if not functioning properly. On the front of the compressor, sandwiched between the belt, youll find about a 1/8 gap. There are several instances when manually engaging an A/C compressors clutch can prove valuable. Started 14 hours ago, By -or-. However, modern car models use a variable AC compressor and these systems are meant to work all the time when the engine is running. These include low or excess refrigerant and insufficient oil. Condenser may be blocked. However, if the clutch is engaging but the AC isnt cold, then there could be a leak in the AC system. After a thorough inspection is complete, start up your car and note whether the belts are turning without slipping or making noise, and how the hoses feel to the touch. Dave May If this happens, it is better to replace it with new ones because it would impossible to take out the metal bits that have clogged the condenser. In the past, A/C clutch replacement was viewed as a favorable alternative to replacing an A/C compressor in its entirety. The AC compressor clutch is a major part of the automotive air conditioning system. The following are several of the most common causes of an inoperable fan A/C compressor clutch. 225 PSI / 80 PSI = It is likely that the . RELATED: 5 Signs of a Bad AC Compressor Clutch (& Replacement Cost). Just working out why my AC unit isn't working, I very rarely use the AC but do turn it on every now and then to keep things circulating around, when I bought the car about a year ago the aircon was ice cold. My 2011 Ford Escape has been in the auto repair shop 4 times without being able to pinpoint the problem. Warm Air is Blowing. sambooka You might have to turn the engine on to get results but this should still work with the engine off. Key on, engine off, test for 2 powers at the relay cavity. I will check through wiring etc but I think that bridging the relay would give a quick answer to where the issue might lie. Turn the AC to high while looking at the serpentine belt for any issues. This indicates some form of wiring problem. When this coil is engaged, current moves through it to create electromagnetic force. Your cars AC system contains many electrical wires and connections. If it engages, the clutch gap is too wide. Ill also update when I get a resolution to the problem. . Is it possible for it to be leaking but to have the pressure check out OK? Inspect the harness to make sure that it doesnt have any opens or shorts. Tiny bits of metal can clog your AC condenser. Royal Purple vs Mobil 1: Which Engine Oil is Better? Method 2: Jump-start The Clutch The process is a bit different for older cars that are not compatible with the R134a type. If freon is low, it won't engage. Related: Symptoms of a Bad Car A/C Condenser. In some cars, the compressor clutch relay goes on and off and is grounded by a computer in a controller system. What is the AC clutch and how does it work? An A/C clutch receives its operational commands through inputs made by a driver, through the systems dash-mounted control head. Your previous content has been restored. Started Tuesday at 12:48 PM, Ford Owners Club Get back to us with the before and after evacuation/recharge refrigerant weights. If it looks good, its time to move on to testing the relay and seeing if you can manually get the compressor to turn on. The AC compressor is getting a command to turn on but is no longer able to, which would indicate that it needs replacing. Started 15 hours ago, By The AC pressure switches control this, and if the pressure is too low or too high, it will not send power to the AC clutch. Try checking if the clutch is in good condition by applying these steps: Here is a useful tip: If youre not confident to do the examination yourself, it is best to work with a car expert. JordyC123 However, it normally makes more sense to put in a new AC compressor. If the switch is not operating correctly, the AC system will not be pressurized correctly and will not work as efficiently in cooling the air. Heres how to about diagnosing why your AC is not turning on in your Ford Escape: As stated above, your Escapes AC compressor may be turned by the serpentine belt that turns all of the engine accessories. Started 12 hours ago, By Its located next to an electromagnetic coil. Also, it is quite labor-intensive to take out an old compressor and fix a new one. Mondeo Mk5, Fiesta TDCI 1.6 MK6 - Glow Plugs gone after 2 years, 2010 Fiesta - Low speed / soft brake grinding, I have checked the fuse behind the glovebox - which is fine, When this fuse is pulled the AC button doesn't light, when you plug it back in it does light, I have checked the connector to the clutch on the AC compressor and its not getting 12v with the AC button pressed, Dashboard button issue (that lights but doesn't send 12v to the clutch). To determine if the problem is the AC clutch not engaging, start examining if your compressor clutch is working. Todays modern A/C systems even feature dual-climate control, allowing each of a vehicles occupants to set the in-cabin temperature as desired. However, most car AC systems now use an electromagnetic clutch piece that engages the compressor to spin the air conditioning unit. Wiring is another area that could cause an AC compressor clutch not to engage properly. Posted: Oct 21, 2019. Inspect low coolant content or pressure. Notes: A/C install kit, Includes: Filter Drier, Expansion Valve, Compressor Oil, Necessary O-Rings and Gaskets, Cap and Valve Kit. of r134a. It may just be that the belt cant turn the compressor anymore. Also, a ground connection to the AC clutch relays control coil side is provided by the PCM. The bypass you tried relies on the fuse listed to have power to the relay. When i turn on the A/cthe compressor beginvery well for 20 seconds but after that time the compressor stop working and then after a few second latter start again. With the engine on, you can fully diagnose the problem. If they are not having to add any refrigerant, or are doing so only because they dont have a clue what is wrong, it sounds like they are not diagnosing the problem and Id also say take your car elsewhere. Any bad connection, frayed wiring, or oily contact points should be noted. Started December 2, 2020, By I have a 2007 Ford Expedition and recently replaced the a/c compressor after the original compressor completely locked up and would not allow the engine to turn over. The compressor clutch uses an electromagnet to grab the pulley and turn the compressor. RELATED: Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Fill it up until the pressure indicator on the refill . Started August 12, 2021, By Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. With the clutch plate worn out, the clutch may not be able to engage. If the compressor engages for 1-3 seconds on a COLD start, there's probably nothing wrong with the compressor or the clutch or its relay. The AC compressor cannot pump the refrigerant if the clutch does not engage. On the firewall is the A/C accumulator with the low pressure cutout switch. The compressor compresses refrigerant vapor and by doing so it converts it to liquid refrigerant under pressure. Then 2-3 weeks later, my wife says she saw a puff of smoke come out of the vents (not sure if it was smoke or vapor or what). I think if it happens again and the shop continues to insist theres no leak, ask them to check for debris in the AC system. DaveOM If you connect the filling hoses to the low pressure side, then open the valves so that gas will flow in, there should be adequate pressure to start the compressor even if the system was completely evacuated prior to the start of the charge. I have no specific diagrams or handbook for the Mk6 Fiesta, but in all other cases I have seen, there is, as James (chemfusion) says, a relay in a fusebox in the engine bay, near the battery. Cold air started blowing again! These include your Fuse, Coolant or Refrigerant, and Compressor Oil. Ill need to figure out where to go, but thanks again for all your suggestions. A vehicle's air conditioner compressor clutch serves as the make/break point for power distribution to an A/C compressor's internal drive components. 2. If there are two belts, theyll both be attached at the crank pulley. You should check the following areas before making any new fixes. Is the AC clutch supposed to spin all the time? Use a wiring diagram to ensure you have the right wire. Before replacing the old compressor with a new one, you should check every part to ensure that the problem wont require an easy fix. Check the front of the compressor clutch. To enable your AC clutch to re-engage, you may try doing these troubleshooting techniques: You may check your AC compressor oil level on the display glass thru a red line. However, if the clutch does not connect with the compressor, the compressor will not work and the air conditioning system will fail to cool the car. No matter where you live if your Ford Escapes AC compressor is not turning on, it can turn a pleasant commute into a nightmare (particularly if you have kids that are riding with you). The clutch is not getting a signal to turn on. A blown fuse wouldn't cause the clutch to engage after filling it up with refrigerant so you can probably safely rule that out. 2. Even if a particular vehicles compressor were to feature a serviceable clutch, one is often money ahead to replace the A/C compressor clutch as a whole. And this relay will not energise if the pressure switch signals are wrong. Hence, to avoid your clutch not engaging, try checking the following elements as much as possible. It should spin only when the AC system is activated and functional. Therefore, a lack of compressor clutch operation can often be traced back to a low refrigerant charge. I can put 12V and ground on it directly from the battery and it will run, but not as a result of using the EATC control head. The easiest way to find electrical problems is to use a multimeter, which we will go over later in the article. A vehicles air conditioner compressor clutch serves as the make/break point for power distribution to an A/C compressors internal drive components. 2. Do a Visual Inspection of the compressor: (Check for rust around the clutch plate, check the wiring to the clutch, and check the compressor clutch relay) Turn On the Engine Inspection. The easiest check is to look at the refrigerant levels. $62.21. AllIcouldAf-ford The best remedy for this is getting your A/C serviced. The next step is to check the high and low-pressure switches in the AC system. The psi for the low side should be about 25 to 40. rcmckee The clutch is not getting a signal to turn on. Low AC pressure will prevent the relay from sending power to the AC compressor clutch. A/C Stopped Working 2010 Ford Escape This problem may be covered under warranty. Let us now learn how to manually engage the AC compressor clutch. Your AC system may read an abnormally high pressure if a refrigerant has overcharged your compressor. See Also: 8 Reasons Your A/C Is Not Blowing Cold Air. That happened last Fall, so we waited until this spring to try again. You should be able to reference a diagram in your cars service manual. How to Manually Move A Power Seat: A Step-By-Step Guide. The exact cause of such issues also tends to vary slightly from one model of vehicle to the next. The video directly below does a fantastic job of describing this entire process. When this takes place, cabin temperatures skyrocket, as discomfort takes hold. Perform these next steps with the engine turned off. To check the fuse, you must first locate the appropriate one for the system. Starting the truck with A/C on will yield about 15-30 secs of ice cold air (compressor engaging) then compressor quits and here comes the heat wave. Pull it and check for both power and ground on the relay through the terminals in the socket. Escape A/C Recharge. I thought it might be low on freon, but when I went to check the low pressure, I got a low pressure reading of 100, which is way too high. Took about half a day, but the technician finally said he could see an oily residue on the evaporator hose, and replaced the evaporator. After inspecting the belt, there can only be two things left that could be happening: 1. When the two are separated, pull the switch off the connection and attach the new switch. Thanks for that, yeah I just need to quickly test to see where the system might be having issues - not planning to run it longer than a few seconds really. The most common problem for that symptom is the fan relay burns out, and the A/C comes on strong but then overheats quickly making the pressure in the condenser get too high and the pressure cycling switch automatically turns off the A/C. This indicates some form of wiring problem. Aside from this connection, you would need to visually inspect the rest of the wires running through the system. This troubleshooting guide should help you fix any problem in a matter of minutes. the receiver/dryer is running short of liquid. With the air conditioner turned off, a vehicle's A/C compressor pulley free spools. (2012 - 2023) Ford Fusion Battery Sizes & Specs (2006 - 2023) Ford Ranger Battery Sizes & Specs (2000 - 2023) That could explain why it works for a while, then stops working. There are many ways for AC compressor clutches to receive power. The Compressor Is Cycling More Often Than I Recall. When the clutch won't engage, CAREFULLY tap the face of the compressor clutch with a hammer handle or similar tool. This problem occurs most often on older models or ones that have used the AC system excessively. Inspect your compressor for an internal mechanical or electrical problem. 2012 ford fusion evaporator temperature sensor bypass. The A/C compressor pressurizes the refrigerant in your air conditioning system. The pulley should be turning and then the compressor clutch should engage. Thanks Ken. 85ltdcrownvic. AC compressor not staying engaged. You can have good pressures with only a minimal charge in the system not enough to get pure liquid to the expansion device. Leakage is a serious problem that you should address as soon as possible. If so, try the troubleshooting techniques described here. FluffyBunnyFlipFlops Check Function Using a 12-volt test light, connect the alligator clip to the negative terminal on the battery. From Heat To Cool. You may turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC, then fire up the engine. This action will help your compressor maintain its good workings. Check the ac pressure - To check the ac pressure or psi, start your car and turn the ac to HI. We took it back to the mechanic. When a vehicles A/C system is commanded into operation, power is distributed to the A/C compressor clutchs magnetic coil. I'm not kidding about this. Above that, it only blows out hot air. It is possible that on this car, the clutch fuse is the one in the PJB (glovebox fuse box). Fix an Air Conditioning Not Working Video. It should be on whenever the a/c is on. -or-. Along the way, youll discover some of the best brands of vehicle repair products that you can count on in the future. Dec 25, 2006. With a DIY repair kit, you can recharge the system to the right levels. I checked the compressor and the clutch will engage for those first couple seconds and then stop completely. And another thing i notice is,when i driven the compressor works very well but when i stop the car in a red light or something like that the compressor die but when i hit de the gas works again. The #1 Ford Explorer enthusiast resource for over 25 years! Adjust as necessary and retest system. 3. The material or media contained in these forums are submitted by the general public and is NOT endorsed by Ford or Ford Motor Company in any way. It may be because the vents are covered with frost. My A/c Blows Warm Air No Matter What Setting It Is On. Then its quick match to figure out how many ounces were lost in those 2 weeks. Hey everyone! The most common reason why your AC clutch is not engaging is that the AC refrigerant level is too low or too high. 5 Signs Your Cars AC is Low on Freon (& What to do), 4 Symptoms of a Bad AC Pressure Switch (High or Low), 5 Signs of a Bad AC Compressor Clutch (& Replacement Cost), Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air? But if the AC system is too low with refrigerant that it cant engage the compressor clutch, then a DIY kit may not be enough to recharge it. Here is to hoping its a 60 cent o-ring. If thats the case, jump to this article: Ford Escape AC Not Blowing Cold. Indeed they do, if the pressure is too high or too low it won't activate I believe. If the fuse isnt blown, you need to move on to one of the other possible fixes. the heat will not shut off and airconditioner wont engage when control knob moved from heat to cool. . [/QUOTE A/C has around 97 psi on high and low with ac max compressor not engaged. Antonsd Paste as plain text instead, Spending $50-$100 for the truth is always better than the $400+ that may not be the cause. m1tch, If current draw is 2.5. (Radiator fan). 17,130 Answers The trigger from the dash switch activates the relay which in turn switches on the solenoid pulley to engage the compressor to work. Then focus on the compressor clutch. Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. Prices may vary depending on your location. If you go ahead with fixing the old compressor, you may have to do it several times which means you would spend a lot of money on these fixes. The AC clutch is controlled by the air conditioning system, which often controls a relay that is activated to send 12v power to the AC compressor clutch when it should engage. Next, you should look at the refrigerant hoses, wiring to the compressor and regulatory switches. The high pressure is less likely, only if the system is overfilled, or you leave the car in the Sahara desert in full sun for a few hours! Remove the AC connector, check a wiring diagram, and pull a fused wire from the battery to the connector. At idle, it will stay on for about 3 seconds, then disengage for about 3 . Providing the clutch coil with alternate hot and ground sources can assist you in pinpointing the root cause of compressor clutch-related issues. and what to Has Been In The Shop 4 Times For This Same Problem. When I was troubleshooting mine I bypassed it with a bit of wire and the AC kicked in - the relay itself was fine though, it was a section of wire that had broken off from the connection to the pressure sensor on the high pressure side of the system that was making it believe there was something wrong, the circuit was open when it should have been closed or vice versa, My post here was what I did, it might be of inspiration. Your link has been automatically embedded. Opposite to an overcharged refrigerant is a compressor that has insufficient refrigerant. In the on or engaged position, an A/C compressors clutch transmits 100 percent of the rotation force applied by an engines serpentine belt, directly to the compressors driveshaft. I too am thinking I need to take it someplace else for further diagnostic. Performance upgrades, maintenance, modifications and problem solving. Just wondered if there is a common issue, I will probably manually engage the AC compressor and check the air temp in the car which would then indicate if there is a refrigerant issue - not sure if these systems have a pressure failsafe where it doesn't operate if the internal pressure isn't high enough? What have you tried so far? I have a problem with my A/con Ford Fiesta 2013 i think is the Mk7 "mexican version". Its meant to engage and disengage the compressor pulley from the drive. Copyright 2023 AutoMobile Remedy, All Rights Reserved. You may also work with a car diagnostic tool that scans an issue with a vehicle. hiace_drifter So, to know the exact operating pressure on the high-pressure side of your AC system, it is best to check the user manual.