A/C clutch engages and disengages - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

ARTURPOLAND · 05-13-2006, 11:57 AM

Hi, After cold spring days I tried to put a/c on with no result. when I opened hood I have noticed that shortly after switching to a/c or a/c max clutch engages and after second disengages. after few seconds again ? Is this clutch broken or maybe there is something wrong with the sensors (cut off switches).

regards

artur

prerunner02 · 05-13-2006, 12:10 PM

No I beleive u have a freon leak.the sensor senses some freon , which allows the compressor to start. Then after a sec or two the compressor has sucked the little amount of freon left away from the sensor, and cutting power to the compressor.then the cycle starts again. just fyi all a/c systems should be ran for a couople of min. atleast every month to keep the seals good.

Papa · 05-13-2006, 12:22 PM

Check for residual refrigerant oil in the area of the leak. The steel accumulator would be highly suspect and the insulation around it makes it hard to locate a leak so if you see rust look hard for oil, if that is the problem a replacement accumulator with an oil and refrigerant charge is the only answer.

*marragtop* · 05-13-2006, 12:46 PM

Get a R134a refill kit. Make sure you check the pressure before just dumping more freon in.

jhgrav3 · 05-15-2006, 10:13 PM

unplug the low pressure switch (which is close to the low pressure valve where you put in freon) jump the harness with the paperclip; not the sensor; then start the truck and turn on the air. If the compressor comes on and stays on you are low on freon. Add 1 can and plug the low pressure switch back up. If the compressor works fine your done. If not the low pressure switch is bad. Occasionally it takes 2 cans

**BrooklynBay** · 05-16-2006, 02:12 AM

A cycling clutch is usually caused by a low freon condition. Make sure that you don't mix 2 types of freons (R12, and R134A). I think your vehicle came with R134A, but check the size of the ports. The bigger ones are made for R134A. You should have a sticker that tells you this information under the hood.

*marragtop* · 05-16-2006, 02:14 PM

The 97s definitely had R134a.

05-13-2006, 11:57 AM	#1
ARTURPOLAND Wannabe Elite Explorer POZNAN, POLAND '97 HIGHCLASS Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 155 Vehicle Specs	A/C clutch engages and disengages Hi, After cold spring days I tried to put a/c on with no result. when I opened hood I have noticed that shortly after switching to a/c or a/c max clutch engages and after second disengages. after few seconds again ? Is this clutch broken or maybe there is something wrong with the sensors (cut off switches). regards artur

05-13-2006, 12:46 PM	#4
marragtop Elite Explorer balt, md 91 xlt, 92 xlt, 95 xlt Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 1,844 Vehicle Specs	Get a R134a refill kit. Make sure you check the pressure before just dumping more freon in. __________________ '88 F150 4x4 '91 Explorer XLT 4x4 '92 Explorer XLT 4x4 '95 Explorer XLT 4x4 If it don't = 16 (4x4), it ain't worth driving...

05-16-2006, 02:12 AM	#6
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 28,997 Vehicle Specs	A cycling clutch is usually caused by a low freon condition. Make sure that you don't mix 2 types of freons (R12, and R134A). I think your vehicle came with R134A, but check the size of the ports. The bigger ones are made for R134A. You should have a sticker that tells you this information under the hood. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum.

05-16-2006, 02:14 PM	#7
marragtop Elite Explorer balt, md 91 xlt, 92 xlt, 95 xlt Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 1,844 Vehicle Specs	The 97s definitely had R134a. __________________ '88 F150 4x4 '91 Explorer XLT 4x4 '92 Explorer XLT 4x4 '95 Explorer XLT 4x4 If it don't = 16 (4x4), it ain't worth driving...

05-13-2006, 12:10 PM	#2
prerunner02 Wannabe Elite Explorer Sacramento, CA '02 XLT 4X4 V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 141 Vehicle Specs	No I beleive u have a freon leak.the sensor senses some freon , which allows the compressor to start. Then after a sec or two the compressor has sucked the little amount of freon left away from the sensor, and cutting power to the compressor.then the cycle starts again. just fyi all a/c systems should be ran for a couople of min. atleast every month to keep the seals good.

05-13-2006, 12:22 PM	#3
Papa Wannabe Elite Explorer Clearwater, FL 97 Eddy Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 309 Vehicle Specs	Check for residual refrigerant oil in the area of the leak. The steel accumulator would be highly suspect and the insulation around it makes it hard to locate a leak so if you see rust look hard for oil, if that is the problem a replacement accumulator with an oil and refrigerant charge is the only answer.

05-15-2006, 10:13 PM	#5
jhgrav3 Wannabe Elite Explorer Antioch, TN 1997 Explorer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	unplug the low pressure switch (which is close to the low pressure valve where you put in freon) jump the harness with the paperclip; not the sensor; then start the truck and turn on the air. If the compressor comes on and stays on you are low on freon. Add 1 can and plug the low pressure switch back up. If the compressor works fine your done. If not the low pressure switch is bad. Occasionally it takes 2 cans