The ac in my 97 Ford work truck comes and goes. It seems to go away the hotter it get outside. But it will come back. I don’t think it’s low on freon because it will get cold and stay that way for some time. But eventually it will start blowing warm air. Occasionaly it will return to blowing cold air but it doesn’t last long.
Anyone have a clue?
I’m moving to the country, I’m gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
Built from locally sawn hemlock, this functional outdoor feature uses structural screws and metal connectors for fast, sturdy construction.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Sounds like the switch for the compressor. When it doesn't work and the a/c is on, check to see if the line is cold. Be careful, the other line will be HOT.
"It is what it is."
Check the clearance on the compressior clutch, mine did the same thing. I removed the center bolt and a shim to reduce the clearance and its all good (35k since) Takes five mins to do.
Mine turned out to be a bad thermostatic fan and thermostat causing the engine to get hot, but not overheat.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=104720.1&search=y
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I had a Chevy S-10, did the same thing. I took it for repair and figured anytime they work on A/C it's going to cost a bundle. Turned out to be a bad vacuum line on the dash control switch. If I remember correctly it cost about $17.
the wire connector on the switch on the compressor...
wiggle it while call for AC and see if the compressor kicks in and out...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Maybe the condensate drain is clogged and the condenser is freezing up?
Forrest
"Maybe the condensate drain is clogged and the condenser is freezing up?"First of all never heard of a condenser freezing up. I am guessing that you ment evaporator.But I don't know why a clogged condensate drain would cause the evaporator to freeze up.
.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Whoops - one o' them rad-I-ator thangs - happened in DW's first minivan from her folks - lots of leaves and stuff inside the airbox - it would drain, but slowly and after the car was off for a while.
Humid here!
Forrest
Thank guys. I had a three hour drive home today and it seems like it's fine as long as I'm up to highway speed. I got stuck in slow moving traffic a few times on the interstate and it would get warm. After kicking it back up to 65 for a brief time it would get ice cold again. It did take a a minute or two at least after slowing down for it to turn warm. That's what I seemed to notice anyway.
I'm gonna try the ideas above. Thanks.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
It could be the blower door. It breaks and swings free instead of opening and closing with the motor. It swings open when you take off and swings closed when you hit the brakes to slow down. Sometimes you can hear it thump back and forth. Basically when the door swings the wrong way you are heating instead of cooling your cab.
Good idea. Where do I locate that puppy?
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
It's under your dash and its an expensive repair. I couldn't begin to figure out how to get at it so I took it to the dealer.
Thanks.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
have you got the wiring diagrams for the truck? That's how I learned about high eng temp disabling the AC. Does the compressor still turn or does it disengage when the problems occurs?
I don't have the diagrams. I'm not sure about the compressor. Next time I'm idling and it happens I'll look.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
I bet it is low on charge.
Quick connect line fittings used are notorious for leaks.
When it's blowing cold it's cold though.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
Just a guess, really.
The compressor is ultimately controlled by the computer in newer vehicles... could be something simple or not so simple.
Newer variable displacement compressors can make troubleshooting difficult. There should be a troubleshooting chart available that should help with the timing of compressor clutch cycling- for a start.
The only real way to make sure the charge is right is to evacuate and weigh in the correct amount of refrigerant.
If there hasn't been any work done to it since 1997, a leak is a reasonable guess- especially in a Ford.
Check the quick connect fittings for oily residue.
Compressor shaft seals leak all the time.
Check compressor clutch clearance as previously mentioned.
Hi Gunner, You have lots of things to look at. Let us know what the problem turns out to be.
I will. I drove up to Middletown Ohio today. Bout 3 1/2 hours. Worked like a champ. When I got to town and got into traffic it started acting up. I'm kind of wondering if it's not Vac related.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
eng temps go up when you're in traffic. might be enough to break the threshold of the switch. Eng could be running warm, switch could be opening too low. Maybe
Edited 8/4/2008 8:04 pm ET by john7g
That's an idea.
I'm moving to the country, I'm gonna eat a lot of Peaches. Aug. 8,9,10th Follow me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19McuaPKjI8
did you ever figure out what was wrong with your van? I have the same van and the same problem! AND my ABS keeps going out for no reason.And the armrest in the door hurts my elbow.anyway, about that AC.......?gk
I've got a truck. I"m thinking it's just low on Freon. A guy who had that problem before was riding with me week before last. He shut the ac off when it started it, and then turned it back on after a few minutes. It worked good for the most part. He said that if it's low on freon it will freeze up. Makes sense I guess. I'm not a hundred percent sure. I need to get it dropped off and looked at in the next couple of weeks though. Jus tin time to not need it. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbqIyeed4g&feature=related
It can also be the expansion valve or the receiverdryer. Try adding some refrigerant first as thats the easiest and least costly as long as its R134a and not R12. The other two items are a bit pricer but if you have the tools, you can still do them yourself.
I think we are having a slow week this coming week. If that's the case then I'll drop it off at the shop and finaly get to the bottom of the deal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sbqIyeed4g&feature=related
I hadda put in a new AC in the van a few weeks ago, the drier was only 36.oo but I didn't need it, it was the comp that hurt.
GMC Vs Ford? I dunno, but the drier is probably not too exp.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
Sphere,
Its good practice to almost always change the receiver dryer when the system is opened up as the dessicant (sp?) in it will draw moisture from the air while the system is open. Usually if you change the compressor or even a broken AC line, they suggest changing the receiverdryer.
Mike
Ooops, well, it was a GM dealer that installed the new comp, and he said I didn't need the drier. Maybe cuz we ain't quite as humid as yall down there in the swamp lands.
Either way, I gots plenty cold air, I didn't WANT air, just my serp belt to not get trashed when the comp. froze up.
The brainiac that thought up those should be castrated and fed the neuticles, I mean, run every THING offa ONE belt? What the hell kinda plan was that?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
The world of people goes up and
down and people go up and down with
their world; warriors have no business
following the ups and downs of their
fellow men.
Its all about assembly time. 4 belts in the old days took 3 times longer to install and no auto tensioning. My 2005 GM van still has 2 belts!
Hopefully GM is warrantying it. I was taught that any time you open the system that the rec/dryer get's changed. It's also a filter for any other contaminants that may be inthe system, from trash that slips in when the system is open to debris from a wearing/failing compressor.
Ford engineer becomes lost in the Mojave desert. When found, several days later, he's carrying a car door.
Asked what the door is for he replies, "Well, when it gets real hot, I roll down the window."
F.O.R.D.: Fix or repair daily
Edited 8/4/2008 8:13 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter