Need help with AC on E150 Van.... Please
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Joined: May 2013
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From: Colorado
Need help with AC on E150 Van.... Please
I have a 1996 Ford E150 High Top Conversion and I started working on the AC today. Does not blow cold air so i checked freon and has proper amount 45 psi but noticed compressor doesn't come on so i did the switch bypass test and compressor started to turn but sticks and turns a little (repeats) then started to smoke, not the belt but looked like it was smoking from front plate. When AC is off belt runs fine. Is my compressor and switch shot or the clutch or ???
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Eastern TN
Sounds like the compressor is toast in a way that's going to need a thorough system cleaning. I don't know why the compressor doesn't engage, though. I don't think a '96 is smart enough to disengage the compressor when there's a problem.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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You need to check if the compressor is binding or seized. Not sure if your conversion used OEM type AC compressor, so it's hard to say exactly how to check. Suffice to say you need to figure out which part of the AC clutch is attached to the compressor shaft & try to turn by hand. A stiff compressor can smoke the AC clutch in short order.
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From: Colorado
Yes it is an OEM type AC compressor. Unfortunately this is one of the areas on a vehicle I know about next to nothing on. I'm definitely no mechanic but got basic understanding of most things and how they work in a vehicle. How would I test the compressor or the clutch? I have tried spinning the front plate part of the compressor by hand and with wrench but no go, doesn't move at all.
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New User
Joined: May 2013
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From: Colorado
You need to check if the compressor is binding or seized. Not sure if your conversion used OEM type AC compressor, so it's hard to say exactly how to check. Suffice to say you need to figure out which part of the AC clutch is attached to the compressor shaft & try to turn by hand. A stiff compressor can smoke the AC clutch in short order.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
The clutch is operating if it freewheels when the compressor isn't engaged and slipping the belt when the compressor is engaged. With the engine off and the clutch energized, you should be able to spin the compressor pulley by hand or with a strap wrench -
Ford compressors might be different in that you can't spin them by hand but I haven't read anything one way or the other.
I wouldn't apply a turning force on anything but the pulley circumference because you might deform or overtighten the clutch plates. If it won't budge or if there's any grinding, the compressor innards are bad. It's not practical to rebuild a compressor at home and the quality of rebuilt compressors ranges from excellent to repainted junkers so make sure you know what you're getting.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
Ford compressors might be different in that you can't spin them by hand but I haven't read anything one way or the other.
I wouldn't apply a turning force on anything but the pulley circumference because you might deform or overtighten the clutch plates. If it won't budge or if there's any grinding, the compressor innards are bad. It's not practical to rebuild a compressor at home and the quality of rebuilt compressors ranges from excellent to repainted junkers so make sure you know what you're getting.
Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 185K miles
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