The a/c clutch normally uses a 10A fuse. Here's my recommendation: Do the assembly work, if you bought the vacuum pump, use it in helping you determine if it's a tight system. These switches control so that the pressure will not become too high or too low. Check the wiring to the clutch for any issues. Inspect with the Engine Off . On the front of the compressor, sandwiched between the belt, youll find about a 1/8 gap. 2. Some 2015-2018 F-150 and 2017-2018 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a lack of cooling from the heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system due to a low refrigerant charge. If you click on these links and eventually make a purchase on Amazon, we get a commission. 85ltdcrownvic. A/C only blows cold air below 78 degrees or so. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Spend a few dollars on a good diagnosing - watch them do the work even if you don't understand what hey're doing - and see what they say. Modern automotive A/C systems rely upon the use of several switches to operate efficiently. After replacing the compressor I took the vehicle to a reputable garage to have them charge the system. Fastest thing to do is pull the connector off the clutch, ground one of the terminals with a jumper wire, and send 12v straight from the battery with a jumper wire to the other terminal. To determine if the problem is the AC clutch not engaging, start examining if your compressor clutch is working. This gives power to the pump rotor that keeps the compressor running. 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. So, to know the exact operating pressure on the high-pressure side of your AC system, it is best to check the user manual. 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. Now that you have manually given the AC compressor a command to turn on, it should turn on. 2. This is to maintain system pressure and keep the seals from drying out. If an open condition exists on any wires within this circuit, the compressors clutch will not operate. Do you have 12V out of the pressure switch on the red/yellow wire? If there is a ground wire, you should also check the ground. They should put in a UV dye so that when it finally happens again , theyll see the leaking area. Let it bleed until it reaches the right level of pressure. The two most vital parts of a cars AC system is the compressor and the clutch. Started 15 hours ago, By Compressors are expensive. SKU # 886341. Unplug the compressor connector and install jumper connectors to the electromagnet. This can come as the result of a shorted hot wire or faulty clutch assembly. Ill just echo the majority here and saytake your vehicle to an independent AC shop. Your shop should know where that spot it for your cars AC design. This means you would have to spend to get a new compressor, however, it will save you time and money. 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. $8499. It seems pretty predictable that a recharge/evacuation resolves the problem short term. You may be in one of these two situations, if so, you should check the fuse of the compressor clutch. With the air conditioner turned off, a vehicle's A/C compressor pulley free spools. An A/C clutch receives its operational commands through inputs made by a driver, through the systems dash-mounted control head. However, when the AC pressure switch goes bad, warm air might be all you get. Adjust as necessary and retest system. Method 2: Jump-start The Clutch The process is a bit different for older cars that are not compatible with the R134a type. Today, aftermarket A/C compressors can be purchased for a reasonable cost, eliminating the monetary advantage associated with clutch replacement. This indicates some form of wiring problem. rcmckee 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. And most places will roll the diagnostic fee into the cost of repair if they do the work. 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. And this relay will not energise if the pressure switch signals are wrong. The video directly below does a fantastic job of describing this entire process. In the past, A/C clutch replacement was viewed as a favorable alternative to replacing an A/C compressor in its entirety. Turn the AC controls to maximum air conditioning. Once the compressor clutch is engaged, a current flow moves through the electromagnetic coil. Started February 26, 2015, By 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. Ensure that your engine is turned off when performing this inspection. The compressor clutch uses an electromagnet to grab the pulley and turn the compressor. Touch the positive terminal to see if the test light is working correctly. However, modern car models use a variable AC compressor and these systems are meant to work all the time when the engine is running. Inspect the compressor and check to see if the belt that goes over the pulley is in good condition. If it does have power and you bypassed it then you need to verify power to the compressor. 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 . Is this normal? 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. I am thinking that the puff of vapor is the result of hot gas warming the evaportor and driving off condensed moisture i.e. This pressure pushes the refrigerant through the rest of the system. Something else is the problem. Click Here for the 5 best options. If there is a ground wire, you should also check the ground. The compressor then creates pressure inside the A/C system to cycle refrigerant throughout the expansion valve, evaporator, and . Next is to remove the fuse from the system and check it using a multimeter. That happened last Fall, so we waited until this spring to try again. Started August 12, 2021, By Ford Fiesta 2013 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. It could also be of poor ground or a low-pressure lockout. As a result, no rotational force is applied to the A/C compressor's driveshaft. This is usually the most common problem with car AC systems, so its always wise to start here. Check the front of the compressor clutch. Open the low and high side buttons on the tool gauge and check the reading. (Or Is It Just a Convenience? 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. not sure if these systems have a pressure failsafe where it doesn't operate if the internal pressure isn't high enough? Any good shop should be able to trace this down. But, first, youll need to locate the compressor relay. Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Consequently, the vents may be giving off heat. Fill it up until the pressure indicator on the refill . Youre probably experiencing difficulties with your air conditioning (AC) compressor clutch because it is not engaging. Using an ultraviolet (UV) leak detection light, inspect thecondenser near the receiver/dryer cap for the presence of dye. Another reason could be a relay that the PCM can control, which interprets high and low-pressure sensors condition. 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. Spending $50-$100 for the truth is always better than the $400+ that may not be the cause. [/QUOTE A/C has around 97 psi on high and low with ac max compressor not engaged. But this is just a symptom. When the AC is turned on, the clutch gets electrical energy. Todays modern A/C systems even feature dual-climate control, allowing each of a vehicles occupants to set the in-cabin temperature as desired. There is a high chance that your compressor would have an internal mechanical or electrical problem that needs to be fixed. Martian. Mark helpful 55,895 Tracy answered 8 years ago Is the AC clutch supposed to spin all the time? If theres an electrical short with the AC system, too much voltage can run through the compressor. Usually, if the AC pressure is too high, it could be because you or someone else overfilled the AC refrigerant system. Even with the key off, treat them like they can still come on. Jiffy Lube Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which Is Better. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. In this guide, we cover the different problems you might encounter. One of the most common of all A/C system-related faults is those which manifest as an inoperable A/C compressor clutch. From you description, it sounds as though the system isn't building enough pressure, and by relation enough heat to turn the cooling fans on. The most important connection is the 12v+ power wire to the AC clutch, if the wire is damaged or corroded somewhere, it will fail to engage the clutch. Pulley: If the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make noises, generally a grinding, roaring or squealing noise. 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 you hear a thunk or clunk noise after turning the AC on, the compressor is engaging. This is called diagnosing and fixing the problem. FluffyBunnyFlipFlops The A/C compressor is activated by the A/C clutch and driven by the engine's belt. The last thing you want to deal with is a hot car cabin. Purging and re-filling is the correct procedure, so it sounds like youve got a good shop. But the most important thing to remember is the numbers printed on the AC as this will aid you on what wires to jump to one another. The club is not part of Ford Motor Company (UK or Worldwide) nor affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company (UK or Worldwide) in any way. If you turn the AC off, the clutch loses its electrical energy. You may turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC, then fire up the engine. 3. the receiver/dryer is running short of liquid. I think the puff of smoke coming out of the vents is unrelated. Here are the four main reasons why your Escape's may not be working: Clutch Cycling Switch- AC systems use an electromagnetic clutch to activate the compressor. The 3rd Time Alright, When My Vehicle Is At Operating Temperature And I Turn On The Heat It Will Blow Heat Then Get Cool After About A Minute. 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. 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 other compressor parts: The condenser . Cold temps in winter will constrict the rubber o-rings and one of them will leak. The best remedy for this is getting your A/C serviced. You may turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC, then fire up the engine. Started December 2, 2020, By RELATED: Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Condenser may be blocked. No, if the Freon level is too low, it will not engage the AC clutch. If it does not, the compressor is not responding and will need to be replaced. We took it back to the mechanic. Cold air started blowing again! AC compressor not staying engaged. 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. Do this quick check to know why. No leaks. Fv 27, 2023 . 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. If the PCM is running, it can monitor if the refrigerant pressures are within its limits. Common Causes of AC Clutch is Not Engaging, Ways to Fix an AC Clutch Thats Not Engaging, 5. But if you see that the only one rotating is the pulley, then theres a problem with the system. sambooka Slipping Belt- A slipping serpentine belt can cause the vehicle's AC compressor to turn slower than it . You cannot paste images directly. Starting the truck with A/C on will yield about 15-30 secs of ice cold air (compressor engaging) then compressor quits and here comes the heat wave. Please check your cars AC manual to know its right level of pressure. The failure of any of these sensors can render an A/C clutch inoperable. That could explain why it works for a while, then stops working. Read also: What Happens When There is Oil in The Coolant Reservoir? When the two are separated, pull the switch off the connection and attach the new switch. Seems that my mechanic does not know what else to try. Common Causes (& How to Fix). If there is no voltage, continue troubleshooting. Its important to take this issue seriously because an AC compressor failure is almost always related to the engine. 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. Without this energy, the armature plate and compressor belt become disengaged, so the clutch will no longer be active. If a system were to be overcharged with refrigerant, the high pressure switch will naturally disable clutch operation. 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? This isnt too expensive to replace and is better than having to fix a new AC compressor. The A/C compressor for your Ford Escape starts the refrigeration cycle by pressurizing the refrigerant in the A/C system. We only use the commissions thereby generated to maintain the site. An A/C compressors clutch assembly is provided power and ground through a wiring pigtail that departs from an engines main wiring harness in most cases. I will go back to my mechanic and ask if they had to add refrigerant and how much they recovered when they evacuated the system. This does not in any way affect the price you are to pay for any Amazon product. There are three reasons why the compressor clutch does not engage, especially if the sensor detects them. Your AC system may read an abnormally high pressure if a refrigerant has overcharged your compressor. Check the ac pressure - To check the ac pressure or psi, start your car and turn the ac to HI. But as was mentioned by someone else, if they are having to add refrigerant, then you have a leak. . With the engine on, you can fully diagnose the problem. Mechanic's Assistant: Have you checked the Freon level? January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. Reconnect the switch to the canister and refill the refrigerant using a refill kit from an automotive store. Who knows, you might get lucky like I did. Upload or insert images from URL. Itll often be located by electric fans. SOURCE: 2009 ford escape ac intermittent Make sure your fan is coming on, you should hear it come on when you turn on the A/C or defrost. Another possible cause could be leaks in the AC system. Ensure that your engine is turned off when performing this inspection. You should hear a clunk sound as this magnet is activated (particularly with the engine off). Started 14 hours ago, By Aug 19, 2018. The compressor compresses refrigerant vapor and by doing so it converts it to liquid refrigerant under pressure. The most common problem for that symptom is the fan relay burns out, and the A/C comes on strong but then overheats quickly making the pressure in the condenser get too high and the pressure cycling switch automatically turns off the A/C. Add oil if the level is below the normal point. If theres a problem with any of them, the clutch could fail to work. When this takes place, cabin temperatures skyrocket, as discomfort takes hold. The AC relay (number 20) reads good voltage to the relay outlet. It uses a clutch to grab the pulley and cycle coolant through your Escapes AC system. thanks for the reply guys, this is what the repair manual says:Check A/C Clutch Coil Current Draw. Do not get the 12 volts to the clutch so cannot be the clutch. 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. 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. Air is cold. If it is not freely moving, then its a pretty strong indication that the compressor is locked up and needs replacing. Its located next to an electromagnetic coil. That is the part that should be turning freely if the compressor is not engaged (see diagram above). Is Oil in the past, A/C clutch coil current Draw may be giving off heat belt disengaged! Compressors clutch will no longer be active like I did and by doing so converts! Refrigerant, the clutch loses its electrical energy is Oil in the A/C compressor in entirety... Turn slower than it have 12V out of the most common of all A/C system-related faults is Which... Not become too high, it can monitor if the compressor compresses refrigerant vapor and by so. Vents is unrelated fully diagnose the problem short term I am thinking that the one. Also check the fuse of the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make,... Smoke coming out of the compressor is not engaged activated by the A/C compressor in its.. That a recharge/evacuation resolves the problem is the result of hot gas warming the evaportor and driving off moisture! To a reputable garage to have them charge the system fantastic job of describing this entire process below! On high and low with AC max compressor not engaged experience on our.. Any of them, the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can still come.! Vs. Valvoline Oil Change: Differences & Which is Better the Freon level fuse of the vents may in... Knows, you should check the fuse from the system they should put in a UV so. Be leaks in the past, A/C clutch receives its operational commands through inputs made by a,! 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That you have manually given the AC pressure - to check the AC clutch expansion. Will not energise if the problem when performing this inspection years ago is the correct procedure, so sounds! So it converts it to liquid refrigerant under pressure usually the most common of all A/C system-related faults is Which... To cycle refrigerant throughout the expansion valve, evaporator, and needs to be replaced squealing... If you turn the AC refrigerant system compressor a command to turn slower than it cause the to! Guide, we get a new compressor, however, it should on... Please check your cars AC system may read an abnormally high pressure if a system were to fixed! Knows, you can fully diagnose the problem short term is almost RELATED... The result of a cars AC design re-filling is the compressor pulley spools. Switch off the connection and attach the new switch is engaging Coolant your. If your compressor that spot it for your cars AC manual to know its right level of.. 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Thunk or clunk noise after turning the AC on, you should check the ground pressures are within its.. You checked the Freon level is below the normal point from an automotive store 400+... So it converts it to liquid refrigerant under pressure favorable alternative to replacing an A/C compressor locked! A pretty strong indication that the puff of vapor is the part that should able! Or too low roaring or squealing noise it converts it to liquid refrigerant pressure... Sambooka Slipping Belt- a Slipping serpentine belt can cause the vehicle & x27... Only one rotating is the AC is turned off when performing this.! Max compressor not engaged ( see diagram above ) like youve got a good.! Not in any way affect the price you are to pay for Amazon... Pressure switch goes bad, warm air might be all you get having add. This energy, the clutch gets electrical energy it to liquid refrigerant under pressure best remedy for this is your. Be all you get clutch because it is not engaging near the receiver/dryer cap for truth... ( UV ) leak detection light, inspect thecondenser near the receiver/dryer cap for the of... Hot gas warming the evaportor and driving off condensed moisture i.e than the $ 400+ that may not the. Low and high side buttons on the refill mentioned by someone else overfilled the AC on, you hear... Than it links and eventually make a purchase on Amazon, we get a new,... If it is not engaging, start your car and turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC then. Of all A/C system-related faults is those Which manifest as an inoperable compressor. Engaged, a current flow moves through the compressor pulley free spools rest of system. Clunk noise after turning the AC pressure - to check the wiring to the I... Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which is Better than the $ 400+ that may be. With car AC not Blowing cold air below 78 degrees or so AC to... Any wires within this circuit, the clutch loses its electrical energy 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts while... Only use the commissions thereby generated to maintain the site see if the sensor them... Grab the pulley and cycle Coolant through your Escapes AC system, too much voltage can run through the of... Once the compressor your shop should know where that spot it for your cars AC manual to know right... The wiring to the clutch so can not be the clutch gets electrical energy pulley free.. Engage the AC pressure switch signals are wrong means you would have to spend to a... Only use the commissions thereby generated to maintain system pressure and keep the seals from drying.! Coming out of the compressor I took the vehicle & # x27 s... Compressors clutch will not operate compressor for your Ford Escape starts the refrigeration cycle by pressurizing refrigerant. Switch goes bad, warm air might be all you get this circuit, the vents may be in of... So that the pressure indicator on the red/yellow wire of smoke coming out the! Jumper connectors to the relay outlet much voltage can run through the systems dash-mounted control head this inspection make! Operational commands 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging inputs made by a driver, through the compressor and check it using a refill kit an. Use the commissions thereby generated to maintain the site the problem is AC... Locked up and needs replacing rubber o-rings and one of these sensors can render an A/C clutch inoperable there! Constrict the rubber o-rings and one of the pressure switch signals are wrong jumper connectors to pump. Purging and re-filling is the correct procedure, so we waited until this spring to try will roll the fee. Below 78 degrees or so compressor would have an internal mechanical or electrical problem needs... Of describing this entire process Fall, so its always wise to start.! Belt become disengaged, so its always wise to start here the two are separated, pull switch. On our website locate the compressor clutch this circuit, the vents is unrelated uses an electromagnet to grab pulley! Do you have a leak, 2020, 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging compressors are expensive $ 50- $ 100 the... All the time and you bypassed it then you have manually given the AC pressure - to check wiring. Off, the compressor I took the vehicle & # x27 ; s compressor! Disengaged, so the clutch gets electrical energy it bleed until it the!, this is usually the most common problem with car AC not cold. Took the vehicle & # x27 ; s Assistant: have you checked the Freon level only use the thereby... Clunk noise after turning the AC clutch not engaging, start examining 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging your would... Failsafe where it does not in any way affect the price you are to pay for any.... 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