Many modern-day cars are built with AC clutches that turn on and off using high and low-pressure switches and compressor oil levels through the fuse. You may turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC, then fire up the engine. thanks for the reply guys, this is what the repair manual says:Check A/C Clutch Coil Current Draw. Thanks for that, yeah I just need to quickly test to see where the system might be having issues - not planning to run it longer than a few seconds really. Almost every major automotive manufacturer now recommends compressor replacement in the event of an A/C clutch failure. Started February 20, By If the switch is not operating correctly, the AC system will not be pressurized correctly and will not work as efficiently in cooling the air. This is usually the most common problem with car AC systems, so its always wise to start here. If thats the case, jump to this article: Ford Escape AC Not Blowing Cold. If they arent having to add freon, then either the compressors not engaging, or theres a problem with the doors or the fan in the HVAC system. In order for the AC Condensor to do its job it must stay as cool as it can. 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. Likewise, an A/C systems high pressure switch is designed to cut power/ground delivery to a compressors clutch, in the event of an over-pressurization event. Check your owners manual to find the fuse for the AC clutch. No, if the Freon level is too low, it will not engage the AC clutch. Just driving to nowhere alone, with your friends, or your . The following are several of the most common causes of an inoperable fan A/C compressor clutch. There are many reasons why an AC clutch does not engage. The correct reading will display once the clutch engages and the gauge stops cycling. If so, try the troubleshooting techniques described here. Touch the positive terminal to see if the test light is working correctly. Cold temps in winter will constrict the rubber o-rings and one of them will leak. If theres an electrical short with the AC system, too much voltage can run through the compressor. back to AC / heater Complaints 271 Crash Tests 3 Lemon Law 7.6 pretty bad Typical. 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. The compressor is functional year round even when the HVAC is not activated. The AC compressor is getting a command to turn on but is no longer able to, which would indicate that it needs replacing. Another possible cause could be leaks in the AC system. Make sure that you are loading it with an oil that is matches your compressor. However, when a vehicles A/C system is turned off, the accompanying clutch coil is de-energized. On a very humid day, especially if the outdoor temps arent that high, I often see this when the air cycles back on. Check the front of the compressor clutch. Pulley: If the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make noises, generally a grinding, roaring or squealing noise. 2012 Ford Escape. Just took it back to mechanic. Opposite to an overcharged refrigerant is a compressor that has insufficient refrigerant. Compared to the evaporator coil, the AC expansion valve is cheaper to replace. Started Sunday at 04:53 PM, By So they are saying there is no leak. the receiver/dryer is running short of liquid. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 17,130 Answers The trigger from the dash switch activates the relay which in turn switches on the solenoid pulley to engage the compressor to work. Ask your Ford dealer. As for the engine coolant temp sensor, if the coolant is not hot enough to make the fan come on, then there is no need for the fan yet and there is no problem . I will have another root around for the issue, not really too concerned - might look to manually run the AC pump directly at the clutch end (its easy to get to) and see if the AC blows cool, if it doesn't then it might need regassing - eg its under pressure so it won't run. Aug 19, 2018. This car AC element helps blow the air to cool it down. You can use DIY kits to recharge the system, however, you must do so correctly to prevent overfilling the system which could create problems. Check the clutch plate for signs of rust. Get at least 20% off selected Ford parts on eBay View parts on eBay now! and what to Has Been In The Shop 4 Times For This Same Problem. We took it back to the mechanic. Previously the air didn't work when set at level 2 and 3 of the four levels. Modern automotive A/C systems rely upon the use of several switches to operate efficiently. The bypass you tried relies on the fuse listed to have power to the relay. The leak could be from the compressor itself or anywhere else across the AC . No, old AC compressors with a clutch should not spin all the time. It should spin only when the AC system is activated and functional. 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. After a thorough inspection is complete, start up your car and note whether the belts are turning without slipping or making noise, and how the hoses feel to the touch. To really know you need to hook up a gauge manifold and measure your pressures on the high and low side. 0 %. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. To enable your AC clutch to re-engage, you may try doing these troubleshooting techniques: You may check your AC compressor oil level on the display glass thru a red line. This helps the refrigerant to turn into a gas. With the clutch plate worn out, the clutch may not be able to engage. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. 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. If a system were to be overcharged with refrigerant, the high pressure switch will naturally disable clutch operation. The AC compressor clutch is a major part of the automotive air conditioning system. Seems that my mechanic does not know what else to try. When we perform an A/C repair on your 2011 Ford Escape, we'll also do an A/C evacuation and recharge. If this happens, it is better to replace it with new ones because it would impossible to take out the metal bits that have clogged the condenser. . If the clutch does engage manually, you are looking at some rarer issues. Theres most likely a leak, bad evaporator, or a bad compressor (that is turning on, but not working). We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Then focus on the compressor clutch. To determine if the problem is the AC clutch not engaging, start examining if your compressor clutch is working. Inspect with the Engine Off . Options. Hey everyone! What, if anything, could I try to diagnose? Just wondering if you ever found a fix??? Started August 26, 2012, By There are shops that wont throw their hands up so quickly. 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. However, the fuse could continue to blow because of a more serious electrical fault. A vehicles air conditioner compressor clutch serves as the make/break point for power distribution to an A/C compressors internal drive components. The clutch resembles a friction plate. If it engages, the clutch gap is too wide. Just working out why my AC unit isn't working, I very rarely use the AC but do turn it on every now and then to keep things circulating around, when I bought the car about a year ago the aircon was ice cold. Any ideas why its not lasting? You might have to turn the engine on to get results but this should still work with the engine off. In most car models, only a +12v cable goes to the AC connector, but sometimes you can also find a ground cable. Purging and re-filling is the correct procedure, so it sounds like youve got a good shop. likely to be low on refrigerant. What are the reasons why your AC clutch is not engaging, and how can you fix it? If it is not freely moving, then its a pretty strong indication that the compressor is locked up and needs replacing. Youre probably experiencing difficulties with your air conditioning (AC) compressor clutch because it is not engaging. 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. You will know that your AC expansion is not working correctly when the AC compressor does not turn off. This energization of the clutch coil creates a magnetic field, and facilitates clutch engagement, by pulling the clutchs drive plate inward, where it meshes to the clutch body/compressor pulley. However, if you notice that is worn, then it would have to be replaced. Perhaps someone can help get to bottom of this. If you notice any bad odor or a hissing sound when you turn on both your cars heat and AC, it means that your evaporator coil is either leaking or broken. Route the wires to the car battery. You should hear a clunk sound as this magnet is activated (particularly with the engine off). #2. Don't leave it running to long like that though. 85ltdcrownvic. The same applies if the freon pressure is too high. With time, a compressors clutch assembly can begin to show its age. If you noticed that your AC compressor clutch wont engage no matter how hard you try, then youve got mild to serious possible problems on your hands. If you hear a thunk or clunk noise after turning the AC on, the compressor is engaging. 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. Started 14 hours ago, By If there are any issues with this part, you will find that the AC compressor never shuts off and frost would cover the AC vents. One wire should be attached to the negative battery terminal, while the other touches the positive side. I appreciate the help and sorry for me english it's very rusty. Or, it may be turned by an independent belt. Fill it up until the pressure indicator on the refill . The independent I use for this vehicle doesnt work on air conditioners, so I took it to the dealer. It also gives an insight into how the system works. Also, its important that you replace the fuse with the appropriate amperage. You have to jump-start it and the process won't take more than a couple of minutes: Examine the oil level in the compressor. With a DIY repair kit, you can recharge the system to the right levels. 2. However, many components make up the air conditioning system, so your problem could be entirely different. How to Manually Move A Power Seat: A Step-By-Step Guide. 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? Add oil if the level is below the normal point. Reconnect the switch to the canister and refill the refrigerant using a refill kit from an automotive store. -or-. This may require fixing or replacement. 2-3 weeks later, we saw the same puff and then no cold air. That is RIDICULOUS, Cheryl. July 21, 2016 in Ford Fiesta Club. Check if this fits your 2012 Ford Escape. When problems of this nature arise, an A/C systems gasses fail to circulate, thereby preventing cooling from taking place. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better. Definitely dye should be added so that any leaks can be found. Castrol Edge vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Your previous content has been restored. With PAG 46. You should first check the electric system, clutch, and other parts for issues and leaks before going ahead with this fix. He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. Inspect the harness to make sure that it doesnt have any opens or shorts. Do a Visual Inspection of the compressor: (Check for rust around the clutch plate, check the wiring to the clutch, and check the compressor clutch relay) Turn On the Engine Inspection. This isnt too expensive to replace and is better than having to fix a new AC compressor. If it does not, the compressor is not responding and will need to be replaced. I think you want one of those at this point. As a result, no rotational force is applied to the A/C compressors driveshaft. You can also examine this for noise and smell issues. Using an ammeter, check Gray/White wire for current draw at A/C clutch coil connector. RELATED: 5 Signs Your Cars AC is Low on Freon (& What to do). If I find something out from my mechanic, Ill give you guys an update. From Heat To Cool. Ill also update when I get a resolution to the problem. You would rather have the fuse blow than too much voltage make it through the system. Normally it's just a regas. By Compressor does not run in any AC mode. If you find yourself with a locked-up condenser, consider checking around the connection between the compressor and the condenser. SKU # 886341. If you dont get any voltage reading, then check the fuse. Inspect low coolant content or pressure. Basically youre creating instant fog from the high dew point, saturated air, and sudden cold. With This 2012 Ford Escape I show you the location of the AC magnetic clutch relay and the AC fuse under the hood. Stephen Interior Leave a comment 7,609 Views. Before replacing the old compressor with a new one, you should check every part to ensure that the problem wont require an easy fix. To manually engage your AC compressor clutch, you must send +12v power on the cable to the AC clutch. It can also be due to a failed clutch coil, which will cause the clutch coil to fail to engage at all. Diagnosing the problem with your AC compressor clutch is not a complicated thing to do. If you turn the AC off, the clutch loses its electrical energy. You can try disconnecting the low pressure switch and bridging the connector , run engine briefly with air con on and see if compressor engages. You could hear a hissing sound if it is not working correctly. Get it Jan 26 - Feb 2. The following steps will assist you in manually engaging your A/C compressors clutch assembly using the jump method. Warm Air is Blowing. Your AC system may read an abnormally high pressure if a refrigerant has overcharged your compressor. The AC clutch is controlled by the air conditioning system, which often controls a relay that is activated to send 12v power to the AC compressor clutch when it should engage. A blown fuse wouldn't cause the clutch to engage after filling it up with refrigerant so you can probably safely rule that out. Started 13 hours ago, By What have you tried so far? Debris in the system will quickly plug the tiny orifices in the system. Mechanic's Assistant: What year is your Escape? It uses a clutch to grab the pulley and cycle coolant through your Escapes AC system. Because of this, partial failure of a control module can also lead to compressor clutch in operation. See Also: 8 Reasons Your A/C Is Not Blowing Cold Air. If the compressor won't run with the A/C switch in the A/C on position, then the system is. Wiring is another area that could cause an AC compressor clutch not to engage properly. Blower fan works but hot pig tails assuming it's on it way out. How to Fix A Hard Shifting Automatic Transmission: Tips And Tricks From The Pros. The AC compressor is empowered by the flywheel of a cars engine. 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. An A/C clutch receives its operational commands through inputs made by a driver, through the systems dash-mounted control head. The procedure is simple, start the engine, activate the AC system, and remove the AC clutch connector. But, first, youll need to locate the compressor relay. If an open condition exists on any wires within this circuit, the compressors clutch will not operate. . Bypass the 3 wire AC pressure switch through B1 to B4. This process engages the plate, along with the compressor belt. 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. Goodmorning, the ac compressor on my ford escape is not engaging. The psi for the low side should be about 25 to 40. Another reason could be a relay that the PCM can control, which interprets high and low-pressure sensors condition. . This saves additional load from being placed upon a vehicles engine and prevents excessive internal compressor wear. The easiest way to find electrical problems is to use a multimeter, which we will go over later in the article. The dealer treated us right on this one: applied the amount I paid for the 1st recharge to the repair and also advised me to talk to Subaru of America about it since we were out of warranty. Prices may vary depending on your location. Ships from and sold by Parts Geek LLC. Here is a more detailed list of the most common reasons why your AC clutch is not engaging: The air conditioning system needs the right amount of refrigerant to run properly. When the A/C is activated, the A/C compressor clutch locks to provide power to the compressor. You may also work with a car diagnostic tool that scans an issue with a vehicle. 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. The condenser, expansion valve and . It could also slip at times, leading to erratic operations. Bengi Air is cold. It may even be illegal to do it yourself where you live. (4 Causes and How to Fix), Does Cruise Control Actually Save Gas? If your car system is low on coolant or pressure, this could be too dangerous for your car. I also talk about other relays that you ca. 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. 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