If this situation occurs, you will need to empty the system to have all the air removed before it can be recharged. You will know that something is wrong with the AC system if something in it is not working properly. Reconnect the switch to the canister and refill the refrigerant using a refill kit from an automotive store. 15 people found this helpful. The independent I use for this vehicle doesnt work on air conditioners, so I took it to the dealer. The AC compressor is getting a command to turn on but is no longer able to, which would indicate that it needs replacing. Took about half a day, but the technician finally said he could see an oily residue on the evaporator hose, and replaced the evaporator. 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. Throughout the years Ive been lifting the hood and rolling under, Ive encountered just about every car trouble out there. You may check your ACs user manual for specifications. If you have no power then it will not engage the compressor. There are shops that wont throw their hands up so quickly. Over time, you may notice your A/C not performing as it should. 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. 3. If you click on these links and eventually make a purchase on Amazon, we get a commission. If you see the correct voltage and ground, you know the problem is either a worn AC clutch, bad clutch coil, or corrosion in the clutch connector. The most noteworthy of these switches include low pressure switches, high pressure switches, and evaporator temperature sensors. Inspect with the Engine Off . May you find this article as helpful as we hoped it to be. Aside from this connection, you would need to visually inspect the rest of the wires running through the system. Pulley: If the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make noises, generally a grinding, roaring or squealing noise. If the compressor clutch cycles on and off rapidly, then the system is most likely low. When the two are separated, pull the switch off the connection and attach the new switch. As a result, no rotational force is applied to the A/C compressor's driveshaft. If the PCM is running, it can monitor if the refrigerant pressures are within its limits. If you turn on the AC and immediately hear a rattling noise, there are a few potential causes: Compressor: If your AC compressor is beginning to fail, it can make a rattling noise. Get it Jan 26 - Feb 2. I also talk about other relays that you ca. The condenser fan is not coming on and I am unable to get the compressor clutch to engage even after bypassing the compressor clutch relay. Enginge Shut Down Stop Safly Now This Messige Come Every 10 To 20 Minute. Any ideas why its not lasting? Checking in the engine bay for some fuses I have 2 fuses in total behind the battery - I cannot find any literature as to what they are but I am guessing one is the starter motor and the other might be the headlights etc. Start the engine, and then see if the clutch and the pulley are running. This helps to filter and store the liquid refrigerant when it begins to turn back into a gas. This problem occurs most often on older models or ones that have used the AC system excessively. Seems to work good when outside temps are below 80 degrees. Let it bleed until it reaches the right level of pressure. This is to maintain system pressure and keep the seals from drying out. Is it possible for it to be leaking but to have the pressure check out OK? 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. If you're here, chances are you've tried to recharge your AC system and found a compressor clutch not engaging issue. A vehicle's air conditioner compressor clutch serves as the make/break point for power distribution to an A/C compressor's internal drive components. Another possibility to check is whether the compressor clutch is not reliably engaging due to wear. Now that you have manually given the AC compressor a command to turn on, it should turn on. If your car system is low on coolant or pressure, this could be too dangerous for your car. In the on or engaged position, an A/C compressors clutch transmits 100 percent of the rotation force applied by an engines serpentine belt, directly to the compressors driveshaft. Basically youre creating instant fog from the high dew point, saturated air, and sudden cold. 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 Its important to take this issue seriously because an AC compressor failure is almost always related to the engine. How to Manually Move A Power Seat: A Step-By-Step Guide. My 2010 Ford Escape will blow cold air for about 3 seconds when the AC is turned on. Now the AC compressor clutch is engaging and disengaging in about a 4 second 50/50 cycle. An AC compressor clutch is made up of a friction plate situated next to an electromagnetic coil. Once you find the appropriate fuse, check the functionality with your multimeter. Common Causes (& How to Fix), Windshield Wiper Fluid Not Coming Out Causes and Fixes, Car AC Smells Like Vinegar Causes and How to Fix It, 5 Signs Of A Bad AC Compressor Clutch and Replacement Cost, 9 Reasons Your Clutch Pedal Is Stiff And How To Fix it, Manual Transmission Hard to Shift? It can also be caused by a faulty high or low AC pressure switch, a blown fuse, a bad AC clutch or a bad electrical connection. Alexdeltaron 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. Sometimes they can get a little stupid and leak profusely.). July 21, 2016 in Ford Fiesta Club. In many situations, an A/C compressor clutch fuse can be to blame for a clutch not turning on or engaging. 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). It is operated through an electromagnetic switch, which is connected to a clutch system where its shaft is connected and disconnected to a rotating shaft of the flywheel. If you hear a thunk or clunk noise after turning the AC on, the compressor is engaging. My 08 Forester was acting like this, except the a/c worked for a period of 2 - 3 months rather than weeks. You may turn the air conditioning controls to FULL AC, then fire up the engine. This pressure pushes the refrigerant through the rest of the system. 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. Compressor not included. In other words, the system is low on refrigerant. #2. Started August 26, 2012, By You can also examine this for noise and smell issues. It could also be of poor ground or a low-pressure lockout. Escape A/C Recharge. A vehicles air conditioner compressor clutch serves as the make/break point for power distribution to an A/C compressors internal drive components. Started 2 hours ago, By Pull it and check for both power and ground on the relay through the terminals in the socket. Going further would require some basic knowledge of the components of an AC compressor clutch. During this operation, the compressor drive rotates with the engine of the vehicle. 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. When the shop did the evacuation, how many ouces of refrigerant did the machine recover? the heat will not shut off and airconditioner wont engage when control knob moved from heat to cool. The power going to the AC compressor relay is going to be fused, so check that fuse while youre at it as well. Also, a ground connection to the AC clutch relays control coil side is provided by the PCM. 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. This gives power to the pump rotor that keeps the compressor running. The clutch is not getting a signal to turn on. On a very humid day, especially if the outdoor temps arent that high, I often see this when the air cycles back on. You should be able to reference a diagram in your cars service manual. You dont want to turn the pulley where it is attached to the belt. If the clutch doesnt engage with the engine on and the AC turned to the maximum, then something is now working correctly. Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. (Or Is It Just a Convenience? Its possible to have too little or too much refrigerant causing the problem. It also gives an insight into how the system works. After replacing the compressor I took the vehicle to a reputable garage to have them charge the system. You can jump-start the clutch to see if it will get moving manually. sambooka However, if the clutch is engaging but the AC isnt cold, then there could be a leak in the AC system. 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. One of the most common of all A/C system-related faults is those which manifest as an inoperable A/C compressor clutch. Cold air started blowing again! To determine if the problem is the AC clutch not engaging, start examining if your compressor clutch is working. Paste as plain text instead, Symptoms. Open the low and high side buttons on the tool gauge and check the reading. Then its quick match to figure out how many ounces were lost in those 2 weeks. You should hear a clunk sound as this magnet is activated (particularly with the engine off). If it engages, the clutch gap is too wide. hiace_drifter Do not get the 12 volts to the clutch so cannot be the clutch. 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 might have to turn the engine on to get results but this should still work with the engine off. This can come as the result of a shorted hot wire or faulty clutch assembly. 225 PSI / 80 PSI = It is likely that the . To finish, we'll add new refrigerant to recharge the A/C . If current draw is 2.5. However, this is seldom the case today. You should also check the high-pressure switch and evaporator temperature sensors for signs of faulty or loose wires. Thanks Ken. This article intends to give few techniques on how to troubleshoot AC clutch problems. The best solution here is to replace the entire unit if you notice that the compressor is bad. The AC compressor is empowered by the flywheel of a cars engine. Consequently, the vents may be giving off heat. I checked the relays which are good. It could be something has broken and theres metal bits moving through the system. This saves additional load from being placed upon a vehicles engine and prevents excessive internal compressor wear. Thats where you will get the problem resolved. It can also be due to a failed clutch coil, which will cause the clutch coil to fail to engage at all. First, turn ON the AC and fan to the maximum. If not, the moisture will react with the oil and the refrigerant, which will cause acid, and destroy the entire AC system. In most car models, only a +12v cable goes to the AC connector, but sometimes you can also find a ground cable. 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. 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. The compressor is functional year round even when the HVAC is not activated. What have you tried so far? Belt: If the serpentine belt is worn . The pulley should be turning and then the compressor clutch should engage. The clutch resembles a friction plate. Even with the key off, treat them like they can still come on. However, most car AC systems now use an electromagnetic clutch piece that engages the compressor to spin the air conditioning unit. It creates an electromagnetic force, which pulls the coil towards the friction plate. There are shops that specialize in A/C systems. Pennzoil vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? 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. How much does a Car AC Repair cost? Can It Just Be Low On Hi
The AC pressure switches control this, and if the pressure is too low or too high, it will not send power to the AC clutch. But this is just a symptom. Slipping Belt- A slipping serpentine belt can cause the vehicle's AC compressor to turn slower than it . 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. Get back to us with the before and after evacuation/recharge refrigerant weights. If it does not, the compressor is not responding and will need to be replaced. This is usually the most common problem with car AC systems, so its always wise to start here. I checked the compressor and the clutch will engage for those first couple seconds and then stop completely. Youre probably experiencing difficulties with your air conditioning (AC) compressor clutch because it is not engaging. Then focus on the compressor clutch. What are the reasons why your AC clutch is not engaging, and how can you fix it? 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. 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. . Make sure that the clutch and the pulley is spinning simultaneously. However, if you notice that is worn, then it would have to be replaced. Started Tuesday at 12:48 PM, Ford Owners Club Click Here for the 5 best options. If there are two belts, theyll both be attached at the crank pulley. 4.5 amps, check clutch air gap. On the other hand, if it is turning freely, we need to determine why its not activating. However, this piece may cost you too much to replace. Perform these next steps with the engine turned off. If there isn't enough refrigerant, the clutch may not engage. Causes & How To Fix, 5 Reasons Why Your Starter Is Not Engaging & How To Fix It, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad AC Compressor and Location, 9 Reasons Why Your Car AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air, P0456 Code - What It Means and How To Fix It, P0496 Code Meaning, Causes, Symptoms (& How To Fix), Car Wont Accelerate But RPMs Go Up: Causes & Fixes. Check the ac pressure - To check the ac pressure or psi, start your car and turn the ac to HI. laumk7 DaveOM We recently bought a 2012 Escape as well and have run into what sounds like the same problem. Castrol Edge vs. Mobil 1 Oil: Differences & Which Is Better? Ford Escape AC Compressor Not Engaging: How to Check and Fix. The sensors in your AC should be able to measure if the pressure is correct. Thats why Ive decided to put up my very own website. By If the clutch does not engage and spin, the problem could be an internal short. Copyright 2023 AutoMobile Remedy, All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. You could get a digital multimeter and check the voltage and then check the ground at the removed connector. Read on and learn how to diagnose and fix AC compressor clutch issues. . It could be because of a blown fuse, a bad clutch coil, or an open on the wire to the clutch coil. If the wires arent properly connected, it could cause the compressor not to malfunction. Started Tuesday at 03:15 PM, By Read Also: Symptoms of a Bad A/C Expansion Valve, Salvage Title vs Rebuilt Title (What's the Difference? Your shop should know where that spot it for your cars AC design. might look to manually run the AC pump directly at the clutch end. If so, try the troubleshooting techniques described here. I Am Seking Problem Stop Safely. Your previous content has been restored. Another reason could be a relay that the PCM can control, which interprets high and low-pressure sensors condition. I would be curious about the system static pressures. Mechanic's Assistant: Have you checked the Freon level? Compressor clutch not engaging Car air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. Just took it back to mechanic. Cold air started blowing again! Refrigerant pressure is OK, but no cooling? [/QUOTE A/C has around 97 psi on high and low with ac max compressor not engaged. . That is why the pressure switch is there. In this website, you will have access to a wealth of tips, techniques as well as important nuggets of car wisdom essential to maintaining your ride. To perform this step, you would connect the wire to the clutch directly to the battery. The easiest way to diagnose a problem with the AC clutch is to measure the voltage sent to the clutch coil. That's the only way to tell what's really going on. . 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. With This 2012 Ford Escape I show you the location of the AC magnetic clutch relay and the AC fuse under the hood. Free In-Store or Curbside Pick Up. Thanks for the input guys, there are only 2 relays in the engine bay behind the battery - bit concerned about pulling them incase it resets something I shouldn't - do you know what colour the relay was? 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. 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. JordyC123 Limited-Lifetime Warranty. If this circuit is traced the fault of a open circuit can be found out. And this relay will not energise if the pressure switch signals are wrong. 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. 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! The A/C stopped blowing cold air shortly after that. Pasted as rich text. Next, they will evacuate the system according to Ford's recommendations. Started 12 hours ago, By Because of this, partial failure of a control module can also lead to compressor clutch in operation. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. Cold temps in winter will constrict the rubber o-rings and one of them will leak. At idle, it will stay on for about 3 seconds, then disengage for about 3 . If there is a ground wire, you should also check the ground. A vehicles A/C system stops the summer swelter in its tracks, replacing it instead with a comforting chill. However, it normally makes more sense to put in a new AC compressor. Air is cold. If there are air and moisture in the system, it probably leaks. If you jump the low pressure switch with the engine running, do it only for a few seconds.