Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Odd A/C problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 04:37 PM
  #16  
akblackfoot's Avatar
akblackfoot
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 644
Likes: 10
Originally Posted by Yahiko
Tools with gauges that are loaner tools I would not trust
do to being dropped a few times without being recalibrated.


Yeah I was talking about the vacuum pump. He has gauges coming already and uses those with the vacuum pump right?
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 06:01 PM
  #17  
69cj's Avatar
69cj
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
Anytime the system is opened up or has a zero pressure it needs to be vacuumed to remove moisture. If you can't do it right it's cheaper to pay an expert.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2016 | 07:32 PM
  #18  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Autozone was a good idea, but I think I will just buy a pump - they are a lot less than I thought they were. I have also read that Firestone will evacuate the 134a still in there for a small fee ($20?).
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 01:47 PM
  #19  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
OK so the gauges got here. Readings look good. High side 280, low side 50. Everything seemed to be running fine, but the air temp coming out in the cab was only 68F after 5-10min. It is summer in FL, but that is not the 40F I believe I should expect with an instant reading thermometer stuck in a vent. Visual inspection of the condenser shows a few bugs but nothing major.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 02:06 PM
  #20  
FiveOJester's Avatar
FiveOJester
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
Originally Posted by Sullid01
OK so the gauges got here. Readings look good. High side 280, low side 50. Everything seemed to be running fine, but the air temp coming out in the cab was only 68F after 5-10min. It is summer in FL, but that is not the 40F I believe I should expect with an instant reading thermometer stuck in a vent. Visual inspection of the condenser shows a few bugs but nothing major.
Need a little more info. Max AC (recirculation) or normal AC (all outside air)? Outside air temperature? What are you running the AC blower at? I assume high speed?

What is the engine fan speed? Sitting that long it should have gone to full lockup and running ~850-900rpm.

Side note: Learned something from Yahiko's tech manuals he posted. There is a dual fuction pressure switch/sensor on the high side. The PCM uses it to read actual high side pressure and will engage the fan clutch when needed. Explains why my fan isn't always running at high speed when idling with the AC running. It usually takes it a minute or two to kick in.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 02:15 PM
  #21  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
MAX a/c with recirc, full speed blower - the only way to run it in FL Outside is hot and sunny - 95F. Engine fan was whipping - not sure how to measure exactly but it was spinning fast. Bc the gauges were on, this was all just in the driveway. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 02:16 PM
  #22  
FiveOJester's Avatar
FiveOJester
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
Originally Posted by Sullid01
MAX a/c with recirc, full speed blower - the only way to run it in FL Outside is hot and sunny - 95F. Engine fan was whipping - not sure how to measure exactly but it was spinning fast. Bc the gauges were on, this was all just in the driveway. Thanks
Pull up the FSS (fan speed sensor) on your Scangauge, Torque pro, Edge, whatever you use for engine monitoring.

Does the low side pressure hold steady? It's not dropping, cycling the compressor off, rising, cycling the compressor back on?
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 03:40 PM
  #23  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
low pressure was holding steady. Took it for a drive. Lowest temp with max AC setting was 60F. Warmed to 70F when stopped. 20min ride around town. The Edge does not seem to monitor fan speed. Compressor seemed to be on the whole time.
 
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
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 04:03 PM
  #24  
MoBill122's Avatar
MoBill122
Papa Smurf
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
Between the 95 & 01 Powerstrokes I have owned for like 30 years.... I had a intermitten problem like that and finally found out it was the connector running from compressor that plugs into high/low? pressure switch. I've replaced that connector four times over the years. If you are watching as someone above suggested.... reach over and wiggle the wires of that connector....if compressor clicks on or off... the connector needs to be replaced !
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 04:48 PM
  #25  
Per4mance's Avatar
Per4mance
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,097
Likes: 23
From: Kissimmee,Fla
Get a temp right after the orifice tube going into the A/C box. you might have a door problem in the cab.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 05:50 PM
  #26  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Per4mance
Get a temp right after the orifice tube going into the A/C box. you might have a door problem in the cab.
In the last few days, when I turn on the truck, the a/c comes out the defrost. I have to turn it off and then select the vents and turn it back on for it to come out the right way. I watched a powerstrokehelp video that says that the hinge on the door breaks. Apparently a real project to fix. I've been trying to run out the easy fixes that I could easily do myself. Beginning to wonder...

I am going to wiggle the high low temp switch first though.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 06:27 PM
  #27  
MoBill122's Avatar
MoBill122
Papa Smurf
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
Its been some time ago, but I remember reading a lot about that door problem when I was trying to figure out my problem. I think the door problem was with vacuum line... but I'm old, so my memory is bad...

The bad connector only involves the compressor turning on or off.... it would run fine until I hit a big bump...then turn to hot air... by accident I touched the wires... and realized there was a short.

And really...no kidding.... 4 times on the two PS trucks I have owned.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 07:35 PM
  #28  
Sullid01's Avatar
Sullid01
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
I have read about the vacuum line trouble with the door but supposedly that will prevent 4 wheel drive from kicking in as well. My 4 wheel drive is still working OK so maybe it is just a door hinge problem. It is weird bc on my long drive with lots of potholes, it seemed like the compressor was coming on and off, but now back home it seems to be working OK just not as cold as it should. A few year ago I took it in bc I did not think it was cold enough and they told me it was normal for FL so I don't feel like paying for that again.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 09:20 PM
  #29  
FiveOJester's Avatar
FiveOJester
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 295
From: Fresno, CA
From what I recall it's pretty easy to pull the glove box and the black plastic cover off the heater core to be able to see the blend door and make sure it's closing all the way. The actuator is easy to remove if it needs replacing.

If it's starting out in defrost you might have a slow vacuum leak. It should hold when the motor turns off. Grab a vacuum gauge and see what are getting.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2016 | 12:13 AM
  #30  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
One other thing to look at would be the evaporator it's self and see how dirty it is.
If it has a lot of crud in it then air flow will slow down.

On the blend door I think DieselTechRon may of done a video on how to replace it.
But it may of been someone else. Did not look all that bad to do. Just take your time.



Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DirtWorx
6.2L V8
11
Oct 7, 2017 11:10 AM
mbjones99
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Jun 19, 2011 09:06 PM
john griffin
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
6
Jul 5, 2009 11:20 AM
stefatc
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
8
Jan 22, 2009 05:09 PM
chazb86
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
3
May 16, 2005 05:53 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:00 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