A/C in '93 Ford Taurus

krewat · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 10:57 AM

Hello! First time in this forum...

I have a '93 Ford Taurus that has the dreaded "air gap" problem with the A/C clutch, but I have a question about something else.

If I get the clutch to lockup by energizing it and manually pushing the clutch plate in (to get past the air-gap problem), I get no cold air (yes, I have the controls in the right place).

I checked the system with a guage, and at rest it had at least 100 lbs in it.

I do have a high-and-lo guage set, which I will hook up soon to see what's really going on, but wanted to ask something first:

Is there anything else besides lack of R-12 that would make it not cool? And I do mean NOT cool, no coolness whatsoever, and the A/C piping never got cool or hot like it's supposed to.

I've fixed plenty of A/C systems before, so I'm no newbie, but before I get deep into the Taurus, I wanted to check if anyone knew of anything else that would keep it from cooling...

I'm wondering if the compressor itself isn't building pressure. It doesn't make any noise, like it's bad, but then, maybe it's dead anyway...

thanks!
art k.

jtmerritt · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 02:50 PM

art,

Sounds like you don't have a low freon problem since you say the compressor engages once you have pushed the clutch past the air gap. 100 lbs at rest is about right depending on ambient temps etc. The fact that none of the AC lines get hot or cold when the compressor is running isn't a good sign. Also, you might want to make sure you might not have a blend door problem although given the info I doubt it. One way to check would be to pinch off one of the coolant lines at the heater core to stop the flow through it. If you start getting cold air then you have located your problem. If you don't get cold air then you are going to have to resort to the pressure checks like you said in your post.

John

krewat · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2005, 04:29 PM

Thanks John, but to clear up one thing, I manually connected 12V to the compressor clutch, since I had the engine off (can't imagine trying to get down in there to smack the clutch plate with it running

Then, started it, and checked it, but no, the hoses/pipes aren't getting cold/hot like they should.

Sounds like the compressor's shot?

jtmerritt · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 11:05 AM

Compressor running and lines aren't getting hot and cold definitely a bad sign. I would be curious as to what pressures you see when you hook up the gauges. Also, that compressor is a major bitc* to have to change located where it is.

John

krewat · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2005, 11:21 AM

If that were the case, and I have to change the compressor, here's a good question:

Can I convert to R134a without a big to-do?

jtmerritt · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 08:22 AM

I did it on a 90 Continental which is very similar to the Taurus. Replaced the receiver dryer, flushed the evaporator and condensor. Replaced the orifice and all of the o-rings. Pulled a vacuum and added the new oil. Charged with R-134 until the center discharge temp just started to rise and then removed just enough to get the lowest temperature. Adjusted the low presssure switch down to 20. System cooled very well.

john