Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

AC stopped working.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 11:30 AM
  #1  
kegomatix's Avatar
kegomatix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
AC stopped working.

I haven't used the AC for a couple weeks. It used to blow ice cold with no issues. Tried it today and noticed it wasn't getting cold at all. Then I noticed a clicking sound under the hood, about ever few seconds it would click and change the idle speed slightly. It was definitely the compressor that was doing it, not really sure why.

Any thoughts? Hoping this is a common thing and an easy fix.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 12:49 PM
  #2  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
You've lost enough freon to make the pressure switch trip. There's enough left in it that it will work for a moment then trip the switch. What year truck is it?
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 12:51 PM
  #3  
octaneforce's Avatar
octaneforce
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: long island
its over cycling because its low on freon. recharge it. very easy no worries.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #4  
kegomatix's Avatar
kegomatix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Thanks guys that's good to know. Being from Oregon I have hardly ever had any experience with AC but here in NC it has become my best friend. And the truck is a 93
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 06:06 PM
  #5  
Evan_P's Avatar
Evan_P
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,507
Likes: 121
From: Oregon
If it was just working recently and now doesnt due to low freon, you have a leak somewhere that needs to be fixed first. Its a sealed system, so it shouldnt lose freon.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 07:28 PM
  #6  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
In '93 it's got r12 freon in it. That is not available anymore unless a mechanic has an older machine that he uses to recover it with. If it was me, I'd replace the o-rings, hoses, and orifice and run r134a in it. It's a LOT cheaper and cools just as well when done properly. A lot of people will tell you to replace the evaporator, condenser, and reservoir too, but there really is no need. A retrofit to the newer stuff is relative cheap and easy. You will have to have either an HVAC guy or a mechanic shop remove the r12 as it's illegal to let it escape.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 07:54 PM
  #7  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by Evan_P
If it was just working recently and now doesnt due to low freon, you have a leak somewhere that needs to be fixed first. Its a sealed system, so it shouldnt loose freon.
X2...excellent advice!
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2012 | 07:58 PM
  #8  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by pfogle
In '93 it's got r12 freon in it. That is not available anymore unless a mechanic has an older machine that he uses to recover it with. If it was me, I'd replace the o-rings, hoses, and orifice and run r134a in it. It's a LOT cheaper and cools just as well when done properly. A lot of people will tell you to replace the evaporator, condenser, and reservoir too, but there really is no need. A retrofit to the newer stuff is relative cheap and easy. You will have to have either an HVAC guy or a mechanic shop remove the r12 as it's illegal to let it escape.
R12 is available, you just have to look for it. It is no longer made, but it's not like it has disappeared off the face of the planet.

Personally I am not a fan of using R134a to retro-fit a R12 system. The cost of R12 has come back down to something reasonable if you shop around. On the other hand there are some excellent R12 replacements such as Freeze12 and a host of others. You have several options to choose from.

For the OP, I suggest fixing the leak before trying to recharge the system with any refrigerant.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
strider3700
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jul 7, 2010 08:11 AM
GMAESTRI
1997 - 2003 F150
5
May 22, 2010 08:41 AM
shinson2
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
2
May 29, 2009 08:53 PM
6CylBill
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jan 11, 2009 10:18 AM
AK-Excursion
Excursion - King of SUVs
12
Jul 7, 2008 08:09 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:30 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE