Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine runs hot with A/C on

I have a 95 Contour with a 2.5L. It normally runs with the temp in the O to R area. When I run the A/C, particularly with Max A/C, the temp goes up to the A to L range. The A/C does not cool very well when the temp gage is up there (it keeps cycling). The water pump was changed by a dealer a few months ago because it was leaking. I do hear the fan running when the engine is hot. What do you think I should check?

Max a/c position should have no effect since all it does is shut off outside air intake.
My cars usually run at least a full letter on the gauge higher with a/c on in 90 F temperatures at highway speed limits.
You could always get an a/c shop to test it to see if it needs a top-up of refrigerant, particularly if you have never had it checked it since new.

I don't think it is AC related. The AC works fine until the temp gets up to the L in NORMAL. I think the AC is just pushing a cooling system that is not fully up to the load. Since the water pump has been replaced the things I can think of are either the thermostat is not opening all the way, or there is a plug in the radiator. I was wondering which to look into first or does someone have a different idea?

I was able to think of one other possible thing. A blockage or bad thermostat could be to blame. One other possible is the cooling fans. You did mention that you heard a sound, but there are 2 fans. Check to see that they are both running. If one is out, that could be your problem. Another problem could be they are not kicking to high speed. The fans each have 2 speeds. 95's may run differently than mine, but keep the A/C off and wait for the engine to warm up. Then when the cooling fans come on, turn on the A/C and listen to see if they spool up into high speed. If not, this could be your problem. Also check in front of your radiator or condensor coils to see if there is alot of junk caught in the coils. If so, use a garden hose or soft brush to clean then out but be careful not to bend them. If all of this fails, I am at a total loss. Good Luck, hope this helps.

PCM will shut off a/c via clutch when engine temp reaches a high level.
As Jon500a states, a check of fan operation would be good place to start.
I think a faulty thermostat would normally be detected during non a/c operation.
As a matter of interest was new wp one with tan plastic impeller?

Both fans are running. They sound loud enough to be running at high speed, but I'll need watch it warm up to be sure. I don't see any junk in the radiator fins.

I don't know what WP was used as the replacement. I had it done at a local Ford dealer.

Thanks for the advice.

At least we know both fans are running. If they are running at high speed when necessary, you have plenty of coolant, and your condensor fins are clean, then it is most likely the thermostat or a problem with the water pump they installed. Thermostats are cheap so I would just replace it and see what happens. (although getting to it can be difficult I am sure) Keep us posted.

I have a similar issue. I also have a 1995 Ford Contour, with the 6 cyc 2.5 engine. I just had my ac fixed (accumulator and clutch). The ac works perfect. But when it's on one of the fans comes on for 5 seconds then back off for 5 seconds, etc.. And without the ac on it does not do this, and the temp is down between the N and the O sometimes R. Lately when I do use the ac it is getting up to the RAL part. Is this a problem? I figured since I was using the ac and it is warmer up here these days, mid 80's to 90's, so I figured with a combination of hot weather and using the ac it would run a little warmer. i didn't seen anything wrong with it since both fans are working properly. It has never gotten to the red (I'd pull over of course if it did). But is this unusal behavior? For the car to run hotter when using the ac? And for the 5 second fan cycling? Just curious if anyone else had any feedback.

It is not normal for fans to cycle that frequently. Whenever your climate control switch is on Max, A/C, Defrost, or floor/defrost the condensor fan should always run continuously, I have a 99 model and mine have a timer for about 30 seconds or so after you switch off the A/C then the fans cut out provided the radiator is cool enough. I think on 95s, the fans might have operated separately of each other, one acting as a radiator fan and one acting as a condensor fan. After that I believe they were set to always operate together. There might have been a fix for that but I am unsure. But I know even on 95s that it should not cycle every few seconds. Maybe the fan motor is overloading and cutting out, or this is some sort of electrical short. I think I should let an automotive expert take it from there, but maybe this will help some.

Ben and Contourgirl,

I too have a 95 GL with a 2.5 V6. Normally on cool days, the engine stays around the N and O, but will get up to the R if I'm doing a lot of city stop-and-go driving. Lately, the outside temp has gotten up to the mid to high 90's and my engine has been getting up to the M and almost the A when I'm running Max AC. I just had my water pump replaced and my car checked out, and everything is okay. Its a V6, which isn't your typical Honda-lawnmower engine, so it makes sense that it will get pretty warm, ecspecially on hot days. My best advice is to just drive with the windows down and leave the AC off, if you are really concerned about the temp. Or just put it on normal AC and keep it low if you can handle it. Good luck