AC problems
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
AC problems
Hello my fellow Ford truckers!
I was coming home the other night when I kept hearing a strange ticking noise somewhere under my hood. Pulled the truck in my garage and popped the hood. My AC pump was kicking on and off.
I was running my AC while coming home. AC was cold, like normal.
Today I turned my AC on and it's not blowing cold at all.
1) What do I need to look for?
2) What is the most likely cause for this? Bad O-ring?
3) What do I need to tell the AC place when I walk in? I don't want to walk in not knowing what I'm talking about.
I can't find anything leaking. I hope this is a cheap fix.
Thanks in advance everyone! Good night.
Bill
PS. I searched before posting this. I couldn't find any AC problems like this. Surprising.
I was coming home the other night when I kept hearing a strange ticking noise somewhere under my hood. Pulled the truck in my garage and popped the hood. My AC pump was kicking on and off.
I was running my AC while coming home. AC was cold, like normal.
Today I turned my AC on and it's not blowing cold at all.
1) What do I need to look for?
2) What is the most likely cause for this? Bad O-ring?
3) What do I need to tell the AC place when I walk in? I don't want to walk in not knowing what I'm talking about.
I can't find anything leaking. I hope this is a cheap fix.
Thanks in advance everyone! Good night.
Bill
PS. I searched before posting this. I couldn't find any AC problems like this. Surprising.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I can't believe I am sitting here discussing an A/C issue when it is currently 1 BELOW ZERO outside! Perhaps I am just a touch jealous...OK definitely jealous.
On to the topic at hand. The A/C clutch will cycle in and out periodically as part of normal use, but mainly stay locked if the freon level is correct. A clutch that is cycling in and out rapidly is a sign of a low freon level in the system. One that does not engage the compressor at all means the system is very low (or the pressure switch is defective). The system is sealed, meaning that if you are indeed low on freon, then there is most likely an o-ring seal that has gone bad, a condenser leak, etc. There is a dye that the shop can put into the system and pick up under black light that will pinpoint the leak area if not readily apparent (oil traces at fittings, etc). Luckily, your truck is a 94, first year for 134A refrigerant. That translates to relatively cheap to fix and recharge vs even a model year earlier with R12 which is VERY costly now to recharge (restricted use, big $$ per lb). Hope this helps a little.
To be honest, driving down the road sweating sounds pretty good to me right now though!
On to the topic at hand. The A/C clutch will cycle in and out periodically as part of normal use, but mainly stay locked if the freon level is correct. A clutch that is cycling in and out rapidly is a sign of a low freon level in the system. One that does not engage the compressor at all means the system is very low (or the pressure switch is defective). The system is sealed, meaning that if you are indeed low on freon, then there is most likely an o-ring seal that has gone bad, a condenser leak, etc. There is a dye that the shop can put into the system and pick up under black light that will pinpoint the leak area if not readily apparent (oil traces at fittings, etc). Luckily, your truck is a 94, first year for 134A refrigerant. That translates to relatively cheap to fix and recharge vs even a model year earlier with R12 which is VERY costly now to recharge (restricted use, big $$ per lb). Hope this helps a little.
To be honest, driving down the road sweating sounds pretty good to me right now though!
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
The problem is resolved, thank you all!
For all the people using the "Search" option, here were the symptoms and solution.
AC pump kicked on and off. The next day it wouldn't kick on at all. No cold air at all.
Solution; Low Compression Switch (adjustable) was bad. Replaced switch, AC blew cold. Had to make several adjustments on the switch.
Had to add one bottle of Frieon (coolant).
AC blows at less than 45F now.
I'm riding cool now baby.
For all the people using the "Search" option, here were the symptoms and solution.
AC pump kicked on and off. The next day it wouldn't kick on at all. No cold air at all.
Solution; Low Compression Switch (adjustable) was bad. Replaced switch, AC blew cold. Had to make several adjustments on the switch.
Had to add one bottle of Frieon (coolant).
AC blows at less than 45F now.
I'm riding cool now baby.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
I don't know how you northern boys take it. I'm fine untill it goes below 32F.. Then I start to really hurt.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Supposed to be lows around -15 to -20 this week! Not looking forward to it! Every year about now I wonder why I don't move south. 
