Intermittent A/C
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Cleveland TX
Intermittent A/C
This may have been asked before but I couldn't find anything on it.
I have a 2004 F250 4x4 with 204,000.... runs great! But last year, I noticed the A/C would work fine to begin with, but after running down the road a bit, it would cut off and I would have to turn it off,,, let it "rest" a bit,,, then it may or may not come back on,,, now I am a electrician by trade, and I figure it is a bad switch somewhere,,, but a intermittent problem is heck to find sometimes!!! I replaced the low pressure switch in the accumulator, then I was thinking the little wiring plug might be bad,,, so I replaced that,,,, but it's still doing it.
I was going for the relay next, but I'm not sure which one it is,,, and can't seem to find a wiring diagram for the system.
Sorry for the long post but I'm stumped on which way to go,,,,
Oh yes,,, I grew up in the A/C electrical business,,, so yes,,, its full of 134a and will freeze you out--- when it works!!
I have a 2004 F250 4x4 with 204,000.... runs great! But last year, I noticed the A/C would work fine to begin with, but after running down the road a bit, it would cut off and I would have to turn it off,,, let it "rest" a bit,,, then it may or may not come back on,,, now I am a electrician by trade, and I figure it is a bad switch somewhere,,, but a intermittent problem is heck to find sometimes!!! I replaced the low pressure switch in the accumulator, then I was thinking the little wiring plug might be bad,,, so I replaced that,,,, but it's still doing it.
I was going for the relay next, but I'm not sure which one it is,,, and can't seem to find a wiring diagram for the system.
Sorry for the long post but I'm stumped on which way to go,,,,
Oh yes,,, I grew up in the A/C electrical business,,, so yes,,, its full of 134a and will freeze you out--- when it works!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 5
From: Salt Lake City, utah
Check the clutch gap on the compressor. May need to be shimmed or a shim taken out.
Per4mance got you I was too slow
Per4mance got you I was too slow
Last edited by FiznUKa; Apr 25, 2017 at 02:14 PM. Reason: Too slow
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Cleveland TX
Please don't take this wrong as I am just trying to learn!! But what does the gap have to do with this? Once it stopped, I jumped out on the side of the road and put in a jumper on the low side pressure switch and it can back on,,, I drove on until it froze up,,, then I turned it off and let it defrost then turned it back on,,, worked like a charm so I replaced the low pressure switch thinking that was it,,, I can make the compressor come on anytime by a jumper or running a hot wire to the compressor,,,, so that's why I think the next thing may be a relay,,, please don't take this as being a smart butt,,, because I know you guys have helped me before and I read the posts all the time,,, great group and I have my hat in my hand!!! Just not understanding the compressor gap
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,872
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From: Kaufman TX
What they're getting at is often times A/C that only works sometimes is due to the compressor clutch slipping either because it's not set correctly or it's worn out.
Apparently that's not the case for you. I'd agree if it's freezing then your orifice is partly blocked or the system is over charged. If the high side gets too high the system will shut itself off and that might be what you're seeing.
Apparently that's not the case for you. I'd agree if it's freezing then your orifice is partly blocked or the system is over charged. If the high side gets too high the system will shut itself off and that might be what you're seeing.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Cleveland TX
Thank y'all for all the input, but I think I fixed it!!! I finally found the location of the clutch relay and after checking the charge pressures, I reached over and felt of the relay,, it was so hot I could hold it!!! So I went and got another one and drove it around for a bit,,,, never went off and a "touch" test was found to be a little warm, but not over heated, put a little electrical grease on the stabs of the relay and seems good to go!!!! Thank you again for your help!!!! Tommy
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New User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Cleveland TX
Boy do I feel stupid!!!! Took the truck to a buddy that had a new set of gauges,, everything fine and it froze me out,,, happy man!!! The today,,, it started again,,, the compressor would cut out going down the road,,, and if I turned the system off and waited two min, then turned it back on,,, it worked,,, then it got longer and longer times,,, then it wouldn't at all,,, finally broke!!! Checked power at the compressor,,,, full power,,, touched the clutch with a long screwdriver,,,, from the wheel well mind you,,,, and it can right back on!!! So you guys were right and I was wrong!!!! And I don't mind admitting it,,, I was wrong.
Now,,, the clutch doesn't look worn out,,, so I would like to try to pull a shim out of it to see if that might get me by for a bit, or when I get it out, I may just replace it,,, depends on how it looks
So question,,, been a while since I have done this,,,, will I loose the r134a completely,,,, and do I need a clutch puller,,, if there is a procedure here I would appreciate the advice
Thanks in advance
Now,,, the clutch doesn't look worn out,,, so I would like to try to pull a shim out of it to see if that might get me by for a bit, or when I get it out, I may just replace it,,, depends on how it looks
So question,,, been a while since I have done this,,,, will I loose the r134a completely,,,, and do I need a clutch puller,,, if there is a procedure here I would appreciate the advice
Thanks in advance
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 25
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From: Weatherford TX (north tx)
I have the same year and had that same issue last summer, a friend of mine is a Ford tech and he recommended just changing the whole compressor out. Since then I haven't looked back and it's throwing ice cubes on demand.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
First measure the gap and write in down for a base line. Later you could use a mic or calipers to get the correct shims needed for adjustment.
Remove the center bolt by either holding the out clutch disk or with engine off actuate the clutch and loosen the center bolt.
There should be spare washers (shims) on the bolt.
Remove the outer clutch.
At the bottom of the clutch disk shaft there should be shims. Removing what is needed to achieve the recommendation. There is a shim kit available if needed.
I found a video similiar to help visualize.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
But seriously, don't screw up your chance to check the air gap while it was actually having problems by not doing ^^^^ all that stuff from a post up first.
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