The A/C stopped blowing cold air . Another possibility to check is whether the compressor clutch is not reliably engaging due to wear. Seems that my mechanic does not know what else to try. likely to be low on refrigerant. If it engages, the clutch gap is too wide. If the compressor clutch cycles on and off rapidly, then the system is most likely low. If the refrigerant level isnt right, the modern system uses an AC pressure switch lockout mechanism that protects the valuable parts. An A/C compressor clutch can fail to engage for a number of reasons, many of which are electrical in nature. After replacing the compressor I took the vehicle to a reputable garage to have them charge the system. This is to maintain system pressure and keep the seals from drying out. Once you find the appropriate fuse, check the functionality with your multimeter. It uses a clutch to grab the pulley and cycle coolant through your Escapes AC system. That is why the pressure switch is there. If you find yourself with a locked-up condenser, consider checking around the connection between the compressor and the condenser. Ford Escape. natedawg8t6 You cannot paste images directly. 2012 Ford Escape. Started 15 hours ago, By Opposite to an overcharged refrigerant is a compressor that has insufficient refrigerant. Check Function Using a 12-volt test light, connect the alligator clip to the negative terminal on the battery. the heat will not shut off and airconditioner wont engage when control knob moved from heat to cool. DizzyG The power going to the AC compressor relay is going to be fused, so check that fuse while youre at it as well. Mechanic's Assistant: What year is your Escape? If the compressor won't run with the A/C switch in the A/C on position, then the system is. Measure the voltage coming to the connector with a multimeter, and if everything is activated properly, you should see 12 to 14 volts coming to this wire. Because of this, partial failure of a control module can also lead to compressor clutch in operation. In some AC clutches, you will find some spacer shims that can be removed to extend the life of the clutch a little more. A/C only blows cold air below 78 degrees or so. Seems to work good when outside temps are below 80 degrees. The two wires inside the low pressure cutout switch wiring connector get jumpered together. This article covers both causes and fixes for this issue. You may check your ACs user manual for specifications. Get it Jan 26 - Feb 2. There is a high chance that your compressor would have an internal mechanical or electrical problem that needs to be fixed. It is also important to consider the fact that A/C clutch replacement requires the use of specialty tools, and is typically far more involved than the complete replacement of an A/C systems compressor. When the engine is on. 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. Need the manual, really. May you find this article as helpful as we hoped it to be. Or, it may be turned by an independent belt. 1861cp In many situations, an A/C compressor clutch fuse can be to blame for a clutch not turning on or engaging. Pulley: If the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make noises, generally a grinding, roaring or squealing noise. This item: A/C Compressor Kit - Compatible with 2008-2012 Ford Escape. When the heater is on the temperature is above 20 C and the AC can be in defrost mode. That is why the pressure switch is there. You should be able to reference a diagram in your cars service manual. What, if anything, could I try to diagnose? Car Maintenance, General Repair, Trouble Shooting, and Everything Car Related. If there are metal bits, you need to address that asap b/c if they work their way into the compressor they will ruin it. (Or Is It Just a Convenience? Components used in the Ford Escape AC system Cylinder head temperature sensor Engine coolant temperature sensor Evaporator temperature sensor Low pressure AC cycling switch Dual function high pressure switch . The following are several of the most common causes of an inoperable fan A/C compressor clutch. 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). If there is a ground wire, you should also check the ground. Condenser may be blocked. AutosHub.net participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program, which means the site contains affiliate links within its content that redirect to Amazons website. If you're here, chances are you've tried to recharge your AC system and found a compressor clutch not engaging issue. You will damage the compressor. Your last post confused me. If thats the case, jump to this article: Ford Escape AC Not Blowing Cold. Can It Just Be Low On Hi TomsFocus No, old AC compressors with a clutch should not spin all the time. Looking for a good online repair manual? If I find something out from my mechanic, Ill give you guys an update. Being that the clutch compressor is just a few feet off of the road, it can accrue wiring damage over the years. Inspect low coolant content or pressure. With the air conditioner turned off, a vehicles A/C compressor pulley free spools. 5 Signs Your Cars AC is Low on Freon (& What to do), 4 Symptoms of a Bad AC Pressure Switch (High or Low), 5 Signs of a Bad AC Compressor Clutch (& Replacement Cost), Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Martian. But, first, youll need to locate the compressor relay. Started Tuesday at 12:48 PM, Ford Owners Club An A/C systems low pressure switch is designed to cut power/ground delivery to the compressor clutch in the case of low system pressure. So they are saying there is no leak. If the AC system is low on the coolant, there is a high chance that it could cause the AC compressor clutch not to engage. 2. Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. Your link has been automatically embedded. Ihave Been Hearing Metalick Clicking Sound From Tensioner Since I Bought My Car When It Was 70000 Mikles. If you jump the low pressure switch with the engine running, do it only for a few seconds. Air is cold. zain611 The A/C compressor for your Ford Escape starts the refrigeration cycle by pressurizing the refrigerant in the A/C system. The AC compressor is getting a command to turn on but is no longer able to, which would indicate that it needs replacing. Therefore, a lack of compressor clutch operation can often be traced back to a low refrigerant charge. Your shop should know where that spot it for your cars AC design. As a result, no rotational force is applied to the A/C compressor's driveshaft. Do NOT jump the low pressure switch to operate the compressor non-stop so you can add refrigerant. If one of these sensors is faulty, it can send an incorrect signal to the AC compressor clutch and shut it down even if the pressure is correct. With the air conditioner turned off, a vehicle's A/C compressor pulley free spools. Itll often be located by electric fans. . Started 12 hours ago, By Ill just echo the majority here and saytake your vehicle to an independent AC shop. Prices may vary depending on your location. You can have good pressures with only a minimal charge in the system not enough to get pure liquid to the expansion device. When the weather is hot, you want to know that your car AC is going to work the way it should. Perhaps someone can help get to bottom of this. Leighton198 When a vehicles A/C system is commanded into operation, power is distributed to the A/C compressor clutchs magnetic coil. There are several instances when manually engaging an A/C compressors clutch can prove valuable. They checked the levels and the pressure was good before they did anything else. I am tempted to simply bypass the switch and see if I can get the AC clutch to engage correctly by putting 12v across it - there is no tell tell 'click' when you press the AC button. You may also notice a bad smell when you turn on both heat and AC. The last thing you want to deal with is a hot car cabin. If you notice that the belt is slipping then you would have to adjust it. The #1 Ford Explorer enthusiast resource for over 25 years! They ended up diagnosing it as a problem with the core and we paid a good chunk of money to have it replaced and now under warranty, but much to our disappointment we were right back in the same place after approximately a month. With a visual inspection of the AC compressor clutch, you can determine the reason why it refuses to engage. Started February 6, 2020, By Started 14 hours ago, By Started 12 hours ago, By If it does have power and you bypassed it then you need to verify power to the compressor. Without much argument, SOA sent me a check for $500 towards the repair. Using an ultraviolet (UV) leak detection light, inspect thecondenser near the receiver/dryer cap for the presence of dye. If you have no power then it will not engage the compressor. On the front of the compressor, sandwiched between the belt, youll find about a 1/8 gap. 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. This indicates some form of wiring problem. (4 Causes and How to Fix), Does Cruise Control Actually Save Gas? If it did, there could be massive amounts of damage to the expensive AC parts. Who knows, you might get lucky like I did. I checked the relays which are good. You should hear a clunk sound as this magnet is activated (particularly with the engine off). This action will cause the fuse to blow. Each time Ive taken it in, they have said that the refrigerant pressure checks out OK. JordyC123 Click Here for the 5 best options. No leaks. The correct reading will display once the clutch engages and the gauge stops cycling. It could also slip at times, leading to erratic operations. Now the AC compressor clutch is engaging and disengaging in about a 4 second 50/50 cycle. Your previous content has been restored. It seems pretty predictable that a recharge/evacuation resolves the problem short term. Any good shop should be able to trace this down. Paste as plain text instead, Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. I appreciate the help and sorry for me english it's very rusty. Mondeo Mk5, Fiesta TDCI 1.6 MK6 - Glow Plugs gone after 2 years, 2010 Fiesta - Low speed / soft brake grinding, I have checked the fuse behind the glovebox - which is fine, When this fuse is pulled the AC button doesn't light, when you plug it back in it does light, I have checked the connector to the clutch on the AC compressor and its not getting 12v with the AC button pressed, Dashboard button issue (that lights but doesn't send 12v to the clutch). 2. You will need a wire crimp tool because the connectors are small. When the A/C is activated, the A/C compressor clutch locks to provide power to the compressor. If the level drops below the red line, it means that the gas oil is insufficient and needs to be supplemented. Common Causes (& How to Fix). Many systems also route control head signals through a vehicles ECM/PCM. These include low or excess refrigerant and insufficient oil. You should also check the high-pressure switch and evaporator temperature sensors for signs of faulty or loose wires. Murray Compressor - New - 58035. that have created this guide for you so you can understand how the system works Marvel Mystery Oil vs Seafoam: Which is The Better Choice? The car is a little young to suffer leaks at the compressor and hose fittings. 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. July 21, 2016 in Ford Fiesta Club. 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. The clutch is operated by an electromagnetic switch in most vehicles. Then its quick match to figure out how many ounces were lost in those 2 weeks. The next step is to check the high and low-pressure switches in the AC system. However, this should not be done unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing, as you can damage expensive parts if you do it wrong. It may be because the vents are covered with frost. Debris in the system will quickly plug the tiny orifices in the system. PRICE: 84.99. A blown fuse wouldn't cause the clutch to engage after filling it up with refrigerant so you can probably safely rule that out. However, this is seldom the case today. Remove the electrical connector from the dryer/receiver and jumper the two connections inside the wiring harness side of the connector together: this allows the compressor to engage in spite of low pressure/no gas in the system. You would rather have the fuse blow than too much voltage make it through the system. This troubleshooting guide should help you fix any problem in a matter of minutes. We only use the commissions thereby generated to maintain the site. It also gives an insight into how the system works. However, it normally makes more sense to put in a new AC compressor. Started 13 hours ago, By Removing a relay is unlikey to do any harm, but bridging contacts is not a good idea unless you are sure what the contacts do! Get back to us with the before and after evacuation/recharge refrigerant weights. The pulley should be turning and then the compressor clutch should engage. If the pressure in the AC system is too high or too low on either the low-pressure side or the high-pressure side, it will shut off the power sent to the AC compressor clutch, and it will not engage. Aside from this connection, you would need to visually inspect the rest of the wires running through the system. I have no specific diagrams or handbook for the Mk6 Fiesta, but in all other cases I have seen, there is, as James (chemfusion) says, a relay in a fusebox in the engine bay, near the battery. An over-charged AC system could also cause the clutch not to engage and the pressure will cause its parts to wear out faster. Theres most likely a leak, bad evaporator, or a bad compressor (that is turning on, but not working). 2. 2. 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 isnt too expensive to replace and is better than having to fix a new AC compressor. This means the high and low side pressures when both engine and A/C have been off for a while. Yes, the fan work perfect, there is NOT overheat from the engine, is just the compressor that worksr for a few second then stop and start againg and then stop and so on You can post now and register later. -or-. Escape A/C Recharge. Or they charge it, then cant find a leak? This is called diagnosing and fixing the problem. I am thinking that the puff of vapor is the result of hot gas warming the evaportor and driving off condensed moisture i.e. 250 PSI / 50 PSI = The system is overcharged and the condenser is not cooling. Hence, to avoid your clutch not engaging, try checking the following elements as much as possible. Aug 19, 2018. Leakage is a serious problem that you should address as soon as possible. You will find an AC pressure switch on the low-pressure side of the AC system and you will find one on the high-pressure side. Enginge Shut Down Stop Safly Now This Messige Come Every 10 To 20 Minute. Compressors are expensive. 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. Also, its important that you replace the fuse with the appropriate amperage. 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. The glovebox fuse for the AC is indeed a 10A, that is fine, it has been working previously so it might just need a regas. I think you want one of those at this point. Read also: What Happens When There is Oil in The Coolant Reservoir? If the pulley and the clutch are both spinning it shows that the clutch is engaged with the pulley correctly. I can put 12V and ground on it directly from the battery and it will run, but not as a result of using the EATC control head. Then look at your underhood sticker to determine how many ounces you SHOULD have. Just driving to nowhere alone, with your friends, or your . Turn the AC controls to maximum air conditioning. If the clutch kicks on at first I doubt it is that. 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. Use a wiring diagram to ensure you have the right wire. There are many ways for AC compressor clutches to receive power. They did an evacuation and recharge of the system. You should check this area for bad noises and bad smells. However, when the AC pressure switch goes bad, warm air might be all you get. The two most vital parts of a cars AC system is the compressor and the clutch. Is this normal? Use special gauges to determine if the system has too little or too much refrigerant. Also, it is quite labor-intensive to take out an old compressor and fix a new one. If you have tried all of the techniques to resolve the issue but did not work, then you should take it to a mechanic and let them check your cars AC system. 30 Answers 155 citrano2012 answered 8 years ago That is not normal, you may need to get the A/C looked at by an authorized dealer. . Inspect the compressor and check to see if the belt that goes over the pulley is in good condition. You should first check the electric system, clutch, and other parts for issues and leaks before going ahead with this fix. In some cases, the wiring may be fine but the harness is the problem. But, I have no reason to think it will last. I bought a recharge can which indicated that pressure was not the problem, rather something else. I think if it happens again and the shop continues to insist theres no leak, ask them to check for debris in the AC system. If the only rotating part is the pulley, then the clutch fails to run. I also talk about other relays that you ca. If you haven't bought one, don't. Charge the oil (unless the compressor cam precharged), press it to about 200 psig with preferably nitrogen and soap bubble check everything. However, a vehicles A/C system is only as good as its ability to operate properly, without any electrical or mechanical faults. No, if the Freon level is too low, it will not engage the AC clutch. Check Low and High AC Pressure Switches. RELATED: 5 Signs Your Cars AC is Low on Freon (& What to do). . I think the puff of smoke coming out of the vents is unrelated. Ford Fiesta 2013 With a DIY repair kit, you can recharge the system to the right levels. I thought it might be low on freon, but when I went to check the low pressure, I got a low pressure reading of 100, which is way too high. 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. Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. Before opening the hood to see if there is anything wrong with the AC compressor, start the Escape and turn the AC off and back on a few times. Ill also update when I get a resolution to the problem. If it is not working properly, consider replacing it with a new one. Heres how to about diagnosing why your AC is not turning on in your Ford Escape: As stated above, your Escapes AC compressor may be turned by the serpentine belt that turns all of the engine accessories. Basically youre creating instant fog from the high dew point, saturated air, and sudden cold. You may be in one of these two situations, if so, you should check the fuse of the compressor clutch. Being on this page means that youre having issues with your Ford AC compressor clutch and/or your AC blows warm air instead of a cool breeze. Mark helpful 55,895 Tracy answered 8 years ago Performance upgrades, maintenance, modifications and problem solving. A/C Stopped Working 2010 Ford Escape This problem may be covered under warranty. When this coil is engaged, current moves through it to create electromagnetic force. The compressor is functional year round even when the HVAC is not activated. 2. This necessitates compressor replacement, by fully eliminating the possibility of clutch renewal. Check if this fits your 2012 Ford Escape. If not on, the condenser will get too hot to work, and the a/c will shut down. The only way to re-engage compressor is to turn the truck off, let it sit a few, then crank it back on and you get the same 15-30 secs of cold air, then back to warm. The problem two situations, if the clutch kicks on at first I doubt it is not activated accrue damage... Is overcharged and the AC system is only as good as its ability to operate the compressor getting... / 50 PSI = the system will quickly plug the tiny orifices in the A/C compressor cycles! 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