Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A/C problems

I have a 98 Mondeo Ghia (european model) with the 2.5 V6 engine, 5 speed manual, nice car but the A/C is giving me problems.
Here's the deal:
Most of the time the A/C is working fine but once in a while it just quits and blows hot (outside temp) air. The compressor is working, I can hear it working when I turn it off/on. The idle is varying from 800 to 2000 when the A/C is engaged but blowing hot air, normal when blowing cold. Turning it off sets the idle back to normal. Also when the A/C is working the engine does not run smoothly on part throttle, feels like there was a faulty plug or something, turning the A/C off everything works perfectly. Is there a loose connection or what? I don't even know where to begin.

The Mondeo in Europe is the same as the Contour is the US, but You knew that already, didn't You.
/Mats

Check of refrigerant levels always a good place to start with this type of a/c problem.

So your saying that the AC is cycling on and off, can you hear the clutch on the compressor surge on and off? if so check refrigerant pressures, it might need a charge, dont overcharge the system thou could cause other problems, and when it blows hot , does it feel like its blowing max or does it slow down and blow hot?

I can hear the compressor working when it's "on" and also hear it go down when turning off the A/C. When it doesn't work it blows max. Low pressure/coolant?