97 Explorer A/C cycling every 5 seconds
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Joined: Oct 2004
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97 Explorer A/C cycling every 5 seconds
I have a 97 Explorer that stated cycling the A/C clutch every 5 seconds when the A/C is running. It will run for 5 seconds and turn off for 5 seconds (approx. time). It doesn't do it all the time. It will perform this cycling off/on during the max and standard A/c on control. I assume that something is wearing out but I'm not sure what. Could you recommend what my problem might be and/or what the solution to the fix is?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Houston
Low on freon, There is a pressure switch on the ac line. To verify that its low, unplug the connector from the switch and jumper the two wires together if it quits cycling on and off recharge the ac system. (jumper the switch with the truck off then restart and check it out)do not just run it with the switch jumpered or you will be replacing the compressor
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: NJ
the switch could be bad also. i believe that it can be replaced without losing the freon. if you are low on freon and run it with the switch bypassed you WILL be buying a new compressor. does that system have a sight glass in it? if so you should se no bubles while the compressor is running.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
Originally Posted by BOJOFASO
does that system have a sight glass in it? if so you should se no bubles while the compressor is running.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Jackson, TN
Look at the accumulator on the pass. side of the engine compartment. If it has the insulation wrapped around it (I believe that year model did), then that is the most likely spot for a leak. You can peel the insulation back and check for moisture/rust around the body of the accumulator.
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It only seems to be doing this at idle and in gear. I checked the freon and my gauge read green (good). It appears to disappear (stop cycling) when if I accelerate slightly in gear or I take the vehicle out of gear. Also it only seems to be cycling periodically (after running for a while) and with no rhyme or reason. Then it may disappear for a while.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
It sounds like it's borderline low. Some of those guages that come with the recharge systems are not of the highest accuracy. Did you watch the guage while it was cycling? If so, did the guage go down to about the same place each time the compressor quit, and then come back up until the compressor re-started? That would be the indication that you're low on freon, but you have to check it while the compressor is running. If it is just on the border of being low, the cycling may be dependent on the environmental temperature outside of the vehicle around the condensor (the heat exchanger in front of the radiator). The extra air moving around the condensor when accelerating / moving / etc. could affect the temperature of the condensor, thus the pressure of the freon, thus the cycling.
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sdhamlin
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
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Sep 21, 2014 10:01 PM
