AC Need Advice
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4wd High
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
AC Need Advice
Hi
I have been reading over the past few days to try and resolve my problem but now im not sure what to do next.
I just picked up a 2000 F150 XL with a 4.2V6 engine and manual Ac controls. The Ac hasn't worked since I got the truck but the last owner said it worked occasionally.
The main problem I could see from a visual point of view was that the AC clutch was not engaging. I gave it a bit of encouragement but still nothing
I then checked the low pressure switch by jumping across the connector and low and behold the AC started working. This is where it gets interesting, i plugged the connector back into the low pressure switch and the Ac continued to work ok.
So my question is what next?. Does that show I possibly have low pressure in the system but when I jumped the switch it built up enough pressure to keep it going when I re connected the switch? or could I have a faulty low pressure switch? or something else.
Any thoughts
Terrier
I have been reading over the past few days to try and resolve my problem but now im not sure what to do next.
I just picked up a 2000 F150 XL with a 4.2V6 engine and manual Ac controls. The Ac hasn't worked since I got the truck but the last owner said it worked occasionally.
The main problem I could see from a visual point of view was that the AC clutch was not engaging. I gave it a bit of encouragement but still nothing
I then checked the low pressure switch by jumping across the connector and low and behold the AC started working. This is where it gets interesting, i plugged the connector back into the low pressure switch and the Ac continued to work ok.
So my question is what next?. Does that show I possibly have low pressure in the system but when I jumped the switch it built up enough pressure to keep it going when I re connected the switch? or could I have a faulty low pressure switch? or something else.
Any thoughts
Terrier
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
It sounds like the low pressure switch is flaky. Pretty common.
I don't usually recommend throwing parts at a problem, but a $12 switch that is quite likely to fail anyway sure isn't a bad toss even if it doesn't actually fix the problem.
I don't usually recommend throwing parts at a problem, but a $12 switch that is quite likely to fail anyway sure isn't a bad toss even if it doesn't actually fix the problem.
Thread Starter
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4wd High
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hi thanks for the replies.
Things have changed since my last post. The clutch has again stopped engaging and I wanted to test out the low pressure switch again but this time when I jumped it the clutch didnt engage.
I tested the voltage at the low pressure switch and it was ok. Then I gave the clutch a slight nudge with a stick (carefully and not too much force) and low and behold it engaged and is working again.
Now here is my question, could it be the air gap needing adjustment or should I look elsewhere. And if so how easy is it to adjust.
Terrier
Things have changed since my last post. The clutch has again stopped engaging and I wanted to test out the low pressure switch again but this time when I jumped it the clutch didnt engage.
I tested the voltage at the low pressure switch and it was ok. Then I gave the clutch a slight nudge with a stick (carefully and not too much force) and low and behold it engaged and is working again.
Now here is my question, could it be the air gap needing adjustment or should I look elsewhere. And if so how easy is it to adjust.
Terrier
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
check the voltage after the switch, at the clutch. if you have voltage there, then you need to look at the clutch. if you can bump it and it starts to engage, then it sounds like the air gap is the problem. i though they had shims to set the clearance.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Hi thanks for the replies.
Things have changed since my last post. The clutch has again stopped engaging and I wanted to test out the low pressure switch again but this time when I jumped it the clutch didnt engage.
I tested the voltage at the low pressure switch and it was ok. Then I gave the clutch a slight nudge with a stick (carefully and not too much force) and low and behold it engaged and is working again.
Now here is my question, could it be the air gap needing adjustment or should I look elsewhere. And if so how easy is it to adjust.
Terrier
Things have changed since my last post. The clutch has again stopped engaging and I wanted to test out the low pressure switch again but this time when I jumped it the clutch didnt engage.
I tested the voltage at the low pressure switch and it was ok. Then I gave the clutch a slight nudge with a stick (carefully and not too much force) and low and behold it engaged and is working again.
Now here is my question, could it be the air gap needing adjustment or should I look elsewhere. And if so how easy is it to adjust.
Terrier
Carefully clamp across the clutch and pulley with large channel locks to hold the clutch plate. Remove the clutch center bolt, slip the clutch plate off, remove a (or the only) shim and reinstall the clutch plate. Use a dab of Blue Loctite on the threads and don't overtighten the bolt.
The actual gap isn't critical. The spec is .015-.030 or close to that. Ideally you just want it as narrow as possible without the plate rubbing the pulley when it's disengaged. (They start to not engage at about .035") Removing a shim will bring it into the tight end of the range about 90% of the time.
If it takes you more than 10 minutes to do the shimectomy, you took a beer break in there somewhere.
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