AC basic info
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 886
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From: NC
AC basic info
I do have a question on AC.
My truck puts out cold ac going down the road but doesnt really at all when it is at idle.
Is that a compressor going bad or would a recharge solve it?
My truck puts out cold ac going down the road but doesnt really at all when it is at idle.
Is that a compressor going bad or would a recharge solve it?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 415
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From: Jerseyville,IL
I have the same trouble, I charged it up yesterday, no difference, I'm thinking my cooling fan clutch is going out and not pulling enough air thru the condenser. That's what I'm going to change next.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 886
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From: NC
Well this one gets faint sometimes. I always thought it was the compressor giving trouble.
Sounds like it could be the fan. Going down the road she works great but stopping is another story.
Sounds like it could be the fan. Going down the road she works great but stopping is another story.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
This is a common complaint on the '04 to '08 F150's. Search and you will find several possible fixes from reseting the EATC system to putting a stop valve on the hose to the heater core. Most common reason is the blend door actuator motor not being properly in synced (requires new motor, $30).
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: NC
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Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
No, I'm not, because many have reported different results trying many of the fixes I suggested. Generally, its a cooling issues and not a flow problem. See this TSB: 08-23-6*** EATC - INTERMITTENT WARM AIR OUTPUT TEMPERATURE SET 68-72 F (18-22 C)EMTC - INABILITY TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE OUTPUT
Another potential fix is adding electric fans. They force more air across the condenser vs. the stock fan. I've also had moderate success repeatedly hitting the auto button when it starts blowing warm. Overall, it seems to be a crap shoot.
Another potential fix is adding electric fans. They force more air across the condenser vs. the stock fan. I've also had moderate success repeatedly hitting the auto button when it starts blowing warm. Overall, it seems to be a crap shoot.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 415
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From: Jerseyville,IL
I put a heat buster fan in front of mine the other day, cooled right down to about 42 degrees. Without the fan it would get down to about 58. That's why I determined it's probably the clutchfan. I haven't had time to get one yet.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 886
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From: NC
my truck has a squeel when it gets warmed up. As it tachs up the squeel gets louder. I am thinking it could possibly be the fan clutch. The squeel isnt LOUD but u can hear it some. I am just going to take it to be fixed. Never know......if they fix the fan clutch and the squeel goes away and the air works flawlessly then I may be hitting two birds with one stone.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Spray water over the condenser with a garden hose. If the system starts cooling much better at idle, the fan clutch is weak or there is a lot of dirt and debris built up between the condenser and radiator.
Ideally you would use a manifold gauge to monitor the High Side pressure. With a weak fan clutch or debris issue, the HS pressure will be too high and drop like a rock when you spray the condenser.
One other issue is a failing compressor. I'm not sure when they started using them, but many later model trucks now use scroll compressors and they are starting to fail fairly often. I've seen a few with a hole blown in the case. tolliewolly I would check to see if your noise is coming from the compressor. Use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope. If it is, disconnect the compressor until you can replace it. I hope your noise is from the fan clutch.
Ideally you would use a manifold gauge to monitor the High Side pressure. With a weak fan clutch or debris issue, the HS pressure will be too high and drop like a rock when you spray the condenser.
One other issue is a failing compressor. I'm not sure when they started using them, but many later model trucks now use scroll compressors and they are starting to fail fairly often. I've seen a few with a hole blown in the case. tolliewolly I would check to see if your noise is coming from the compressor. Use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope. If it is, disconnect the compressor until you can replace it. I hope your noise is from the fan clutch.