Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A/C compressor inop???

Hey guys, last night coming back from Micah's in Plattsburgh, I noticed my A/C compressor doesn't seem to work anymore. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to theirs? I'll try to make time to diagnose it properly this week, but I was hoping for some tips or pointers from those in the know....

Thanks in advance for the heads up...

In hot or a/c position engine running check that the a/c clutch is 'switching' in and out,with the hood up on the fead side you can hear it.If no click in and out need to check its getting power to the plug on the a/c clutch.If the clutch is operating but no a/c compressor it could be 1)clutch is closing but not turning compressor(worn out a/c clutch or 2)compressor turning but low R134a charge.Other problems can cause this such as faulty controls,faulty high and/or low pressure switches...

Check the A/C lines going to the compressor and the one that runs along the radiator for oil stains. Look where it is crimped to the rubber part. If it is oily, there is where your leak(s) are. Seen a few bad Good Year hoses on these cars. The stop leak/lubricator stuff that Wal-Mart sells will stop these connections from leaking. I did my wife's car 2 years ago and it still holds the charge. When the R134a leaks out the compressor will cycle on/off real fast or not run at all.

Hey Terry, That's exactly what I meant by my post... The compressor isn't cycling. I noticed this morning as well that when oyu first start the car and put the A/C on, the cooling fan comes on as usual,but it'll last only about 5 seconds. Meanwhile, the compressor doesn't cycle at all... could be she's low on refrigerant... I really don't know...

If the pressure is low the l/p switch will stop the compressor operating to prevent damage re low press/oil etc. You can still check the clutch etc by by-passing the l/p switch , sounds like low/leak of R134a...

the manual states that the compressor will not run under a certain temp. i think it's 40 or 50 deg. F.

never made ANY sense to me, but i could never get confirmation or reasoning from anyone. I just got the car and the A/C has been broke (getting "fixed" tomorrow).

i'm assuming this isn't your "problem".

can anyone tell me why Ford would ever do that? how can i effectively defog my windsheild without A/C in the winter?

my compressor seals are busted so i have leakage around there. it's under warranty. but the compressor still comes on and i get that terrible surging, so i have to get them to check the charge sensor thing too.

-eric

Last winter I ran off the road and firmly planted myself in a ditch. No visible damages besides what the license plate holder did to the bumper as it broke off. This spring, I noticed my A/C wasn't working. It turns out that when I ran off the road, I cracked the condenser, so all the refrigerant leaked out. Basically, try checking the system for leaks. Oh, and the condenser ran me $330 installed.

EDIT: I hope to make it back up to plattsburgh for one of the future meets. I really enjoyed myself at the one in june.

The reason that Ford says the A/C only works above that temperature is to prevent the evaporator coil from freezing up.

I have never had a problem defrosting the windshield in the winter. Actually I wonder if the statement Ford made in the owner's manual is correct.

Hasn't been cold enough here in Houston yet to test it out.

David

Your HVAC will not turn on the AC Compressor for the AC selection,
if the outside temperture is below 50 deg F.
If you select DEFROST, the AC Compressor will come on.
This is because you need DRY WARM air to properly defog your windshield.
If the air is just heated and not dried,
the moisture in the air will condensate on your windshield,
and make it extremely hard to see.

I've had to have my dealer refill my AC every year so far.
They have also added a dye to the system, and still can't find where it is escaping from.