AC compressor Off & ON frequency
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AC compressor Off & ON frequency
My 2001 Ford Ranger with the 3.0 has only 78K miles and the AC works very well as long as I don't drive on the highway! Once on the highway and I go about 50 to 60 miles an hour, the compressor kicks on and off about every 10 seconds or so, and the cooling definitely becomes less. Tonight I parked the truck in the driveway and let it idle and the AC worked fine --- I got it up to about 2500 RPM's and the AC once again went off and on rapidly. I just had the system checked once again this month at a different shop and they tell me I have no leaks and that it comes out cold and it must be because it has been so hot in St. Louis that it just can't handle it when I'm driving at higher speeds. No doubt I need to resolve this with your help out there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
On my 98 4 cyl. Ranger that's a very good sign of a fairly low refrigerant charge. At low rpms the low side won't pull down ...quite... enough to cycle the compressor off. At speed, it's like you throw out an anchor every 15 seconds or so. 
Check your system pressures at 1500 RPM. with a nanifold gauge set. I'll bet they're low overall, indicating a low refrigerant charge.
Check your system pressures at 1500 RPM. with a nanifold gauge set. I'll bet they're low overall, indicating a low refrigerant charge.
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I had the AC system checked at my usual shop where they charged the system and added dye in June and Last week I had the truck serviced at the Ford dealer where they told me I had no leaks and the system was working and the pressures were all in acceptable ranges. I'll try the clutch gap adjustment first and see if that helps as I can perform that without any special equipment.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
How is the airflow from the vents? If the evap is dirty causing lw airflow it wil cause excessive cycling.
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My thanks to all who responded to my AC problem. On Sunday, I cleaned the evaporator and condenser coils as suggested by "lsrx101" and yes, the AC did not recycle once on Sunday nor all day today and it is 99 degrees here in the St. Louis area an I did mostly all highway driving. Thanks much!
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