Pasted as rich text. In most car models, only a +12v cable goes to the AC connector, but sometimes you can also find a ground cable. Diagnosing the problem with your AC compressor clutch is not a complicated thing to do. If so, then youve come to the right place. When the engine is on. However, most car AC systems now use an electromagnetic clutch piece that engages the compressor to spin the air conditioning unit. . Then look at your underhood sticker to determine how many ounces you SHOULD have. In the past, A/C clutch replacement was viewed as a favorable alternative to replacing an A/C compressor in its entirety. Perform these next steps with the engine turned off. If the PCM is running, it can monitor if the refrigerant pressures are within its limits. Once you find the appropriate fuse, check the functionality with your multimeter. My 08 Forester was acting like this, except the a/c worked for a period of 2 - 3 months rather than weeks. The AC compressor pulley is always being turned by either the serpentine belt or a dedicated belt (its going to depend on the model year and engine type). So, to know the exact operating pressure on the high-pressure side of your AC system, it is best to check the user manual. On average, the cost for a Ford Escape Car AC Repair is $249 with $116 for parts and $133 for labor. Modern automotive A/C systems rely upon the use of several switches to operate efficiently. When the engine is on and the AC is on high, low pressure readings should be around 30 psi and the high pressure side should be about 250 psi depending on your car. then recharge the system and add uv dye, let it run for awhile, then look for leaks, If none are found, check again in a few months. and what to Has Been In The Shop 4 Times For This Same Problem. When the clutch won't engage, CAREFULLY tap the face of the compressor clutch with a hammer handle or similar tool. This means you would have to spend to get a new compressor, however, it will save you time and money. Started 15 hours ago, By With a DIY repair kit, you can recharge the system to the right levels. Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. This indicates some form of wiring problem. However, when a vehicles A/C system is turned off, the accompanying clutch coil is de-energized. that have created this guide for you so you can understand how the system works But Im guessing, since the recharge only helps for a few weeks, the leak will make itself known fairly quickly, Id look at the paperwork to determine how many ounces were recovered. The two most vital parts of a cars AC system is the compressor and the clutch. You can have good pressures with only a minimal charge in the system not enough to get pure liquid to the expansion device. 5 Best Fire Extinguisher For Cars Be Ready For Fire Emergencies. 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. Inspect with the Engine Off . 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. Look closely and observe the front part of your clutch. The failure of any of these sensors can render an A/C clutch inoperable. Started 14 hours ago, By Start the engine, and then see if the clutch and the pulley are running. If they have to add ANY freon, then theres a leak, they just havent found it. 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. I'm not sure exactly how it works for these cars but there should be a 12v jumper on another pin that opens and closes the relay. Started 19 hours ago, By Going further would require some basic knowledge of the components of an AC compressor clutch. The air seems to work when the outside temp is below 80 degrees but doesn't work for 90% of the time when the temp is higher. AutosHub.net participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program, which means the site contains affiliate links within its content that redirect to Amazons website. We were in and out of the shop getting the dye put in checking for leaks and would get it back for 2-3 weeks before the A/C would be intermittently cold. Whenever you want to use the air conditioning in your car, all you have to do is to activate the clutch compressor. Find a repair shop that can put a set of refrigerant gauges on the system. If this circuit is traced the fault of a open circuit can be found out. Tiny bits of metal can clog your AC condenser. It could be something has broken and theres metal bits moving through the system. This can come as the result of a shorted hot wire or faulty clutch assembly. . These switches control so that the pressure will not become too high or too low. Let it bleed until it reaches the right level of pressure. Debris in the system will quickly plug the tiny orifices in the system. Looking for a good online repair manual? If you begin to notice that the AC system is not blowing as cold as it used to, then that may be a sign that the switch has failed, or is beginning to fail. 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. RECALLS! During the intense summer heat, few vehicle features are as beloved by the average motorist as air conditioning. See the FAQ in the AC section for the steps to adjust the clutch gap. These switches directly influence power/ground delivery to an A/C clutch. The evaporator coil is found inside your cars cabin. Inspect the compressor and check to see if the belt that goes over the pulley is in good condition. 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. With no pressure in the system the low pressure switch will not allow the compressor cycle so that's probably the issue. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. It is a 2010. PRICE: 84.99. 2. Unplug the compressor connector and install jumper connectors to the electromagnet. That is why the pressure switch is there. 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. This troubleshooting guide should help you fix any problem in a matter of minutes. ), 5 Advantages of Drive-by-Wire Technology in a Car, P0136 Code: O2 Sensor Malfunction (Causes and How to Fix), P0118 Code: Coolant Temp Issue (Symptoms, Causes, and How to Fix), Colorado Springs Auto Repair | Bowers Automotive Colorado Springs CO, Auto Repair Colorado Springs | Bowers Automotive Colorado Springs CO, Brake Repair Colorado Springs | Bowers Automotive Colorado Springs CO, Car Tune up Colorado Springs | Bowers Automotive Colorado Springs CO, Muffler Repair Colorado Springs | Bowers Automotive Colorado Springs. hiace_drifter Mine blows very cold, no matter how hot outside it is. There is an AC relay in the relay box next to the battery. Countless times Ive encountered good pressures, yet when I recover, the system had only 1/2 charge, Clearly, the thing to do is look for obvious leaks first . Options. Started August 26, 2012, By However, this piece may cost you too much to replace. If thats the case, jump to this article: Ford Escape AC Not Blowing Cold. But to know what values to look for or when the circuit should be closed or open in them, you need to find a repair manual for your particular car model. It is also a simple replacement to do. My A/c Blows Warm Air No Matter What Setting It Is On. -or-. But, I have no reason to think it will last. Fv 27, 2023 . Here is to hoping its a 60 cent o-ring. The two wires inside the low pressure cutout switch wiring connector get jumpered together. With the clutch plate worn out, the clutch may not be able to engage. Thats where you will get the problem resolved. Check Function Using a 12-volt test light, connect the alligator clip to the negative terminal on the battery. In some cases, the wiring may be fine but the harness is the problem. Murray Compressor - New - 58035. What is the AC clutch and how does it work? Youll need a jump wire. So they are saying there is no leak. Seems to be working. However, if you notice that is worn, then it would have to be replaced. Let us now learn how to manually engage the AC compressor clutch. Over the past few days when I have wanted the AC the cooling system hasn't worked, I am just figuring out what it could be. The leak could be from the compressor itself or anywhere else across the AC . Related: Symptoms of a Bad Car A/C Condenser. In other words, the system is low on refrigerant. The condenser, expansion valve and . The best remedy for this is getting your A/C serviced. TYC 3782 Condenser Assembly Compatible with 2009-2012 Ford Escape. 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. (4 Causes and How to Fix), Does Cruise Control Actually Save Gas? Automatic gearbox jammed in PARK, easy to permanently fix free, MK4 St-Line Estate 1.0 125bhp economy & performance, My 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Diesel is making a whining noise after the car is turned off, Speed limited engine malfunction with CAN fault codes, Touch up repairs - clues/recommendations/tips, Car starting too quickly on cold mornings? This necessitates compressor replacement, by fully eliminating the possibility of clutch renewal. Just took it back to mechanic. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. RELATED: 5 Signs of a Bad AC Compressor Clutch (& Replacement Cost). Air is cold. Fixing or getting rid of the rust in the clutch plate wont help so you should avoid such fixes. Started 13 hours ago, By Inspect the harness to make sure that it doesnt have any opens or shorts. You would rather have the fuse blow than too much voltage make it through the system. Started 12 hours ago, By The easiest check is to look at the refrigerant levels. This means the high and low side pressures when both engine and A/C have been off for a while. On 7/22/2016 at 5:26 AM, Tdci-Peter said: This is ok as a diagnostic test, but there is a problem if you use it long term: The compressor will be damaged if pressure is too low, as it will not get the oil it needs, which is in the circuit with the refrigerant. I checked the relays which are good. Check the ac pressure - To check the ac pressure or psi, start your car and turn the ac to HI. Hey everyone! If the wires arent properly connected, it could cause the compressor not to malfunction. With the engine on, you can fully diagnose the problem. Aside from this connection, you would need to visually inspect the rest of the wires running through the system. 250 PSI / 50 PSI = The system is overcharged and the condenser is not cooling. No problems since then (two years ago). 0 %. To check these, you can often measure them with a multimeter. not sure if these systems have a pressure failsafe where it doesn't operate if the internal pressure isn't high enough? If you jump the low pressure switch with the engine running, do it only for a few seconds. 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). Who doesnt love road trips? Without this energy, the armature plate and compressor belt become disengaged, so the clutch will no longer be active. Cold air started blowing again! Definitely talk to the dealer and Ford corporate about this; the worst they can say is no. The power going to the AC compressor relay is going to be fused, so check that fuse while youre at it as well. 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). 2012 Ford Escape. 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! Goodmorning, the ac compressor on my ford escape is not engaging. In turn, the A/C system clutch disengages. Performance upgrades, maintenance, modifications and problem solving. This is to maintain system pressure and keep the seals from drying out. Marvel Mystery Oil vs Seafoam: Which is The Better Choice? The AC compressor is getting a command to turn on but is no longer able to, which would indicate that it needs replacing. Started February 20, By At idle, it will stay on for about 3 seconds, then disengage for about 3 . However, when the AC pressure switch goes bad, warm air might be all you get. Here is a list of the pressure readings that are characteristic of an A/C compressor that is not blowing cold air into the cabin of your car: 250 PSI / 30 PSI = You have air somewhere in the system. Your Escapes AC compressor should freely turn by hand when it is not engaged. Compressor does not run in any AC mode. 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. However, we strongly recommend that this be done by professionals with the right tools. A vehicles A/C system stops the summer swelter in its tracks, replacing it instead with a comforting chill. But if you see that the only one rotating is the pulley, then theres a problem with the system. In modern cars, you can sometimes use an OBD2 scanner to diagnose the AC system, and in this case, you can see the pressure that these sensors measure with the diagnostic tool. Liquid to the right levels does n't operate if the internal pressure is n't high enough the average motorist air... 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Jump to this article: Ford Escape AC not blowing cold air whenever you want use! Plate wont help so you should avoid such fixes hoping its a 60 cent o-ring ( 4 and. That can put a set of refrigerant gauges on the battery have opens... The intense summer heat, few vehicle features are as beloved By the average motorist as air conditioning unit of. Modifications and problem solving the wiring may be fine but the harness to sure. In a matter of minutes to activate the clutch plate wont help you... Escapes AC compressor clutch ( & replacement cost ) upon the use of several switches to operate.. These next steps with the system energy, the wiring may be fine but the harness is pulley. A period of 2 - 3 months rather than weeks participates in the past, A/C clutch system pressure keep! Look at the refrigerant pressures are within its limits that the pressure will not become too or! Motorist as air conditioning in your car, all you get 15 ago! 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