2011 Explorer XLT AC not cold

[MichelleF]

Hi everyone,
This last summer, my AC stopped blowing cold. Hubby has pressure gauges and charged the system. Pressure levels read correctly. I started her and it was cold for about 5 seconds and then went warm. He drained system and started over with more freon. Pressure correct again. No fix. He charged my '98 explorer before, so he's familiar. Until we get into more computer stuff.
Anyway, figured it could be compressor, so replaced it. No fix. Clutch engages, we have air flow, just not cold. He then replaced the Expansion valve. Still no fix.
It gets pretty toasty here in summer, and in N Utah and Wyoming( I travel to vendor events), so me running without AC is miserable.
He's not going to work on it again till spring, but I'd like to have some possible answers for him. He knows the relays/fuses, they appear fine. He did mention tonight that a wiring diagram, overall diagram of system would probably be helpful, so I've started looking. I DONT want to take it to dealer, they are wayyyy to spendy, the dealership here is completely dain bramaged, and the next nearest ones are at least hour away.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
TIA!

 

[FordFlintrock]

Are the radiator fan(s) kicking on? A quick test of blend door operation is to use long nose vise grips on a heater hose blocking coolant flow to core .

 

[peterk9]

Hi everyone,
This last summer, my AC stopped blowing cold. Hubby has pressure gauges and charged the system. Pressure levels read correctly. I started her and it was cold for about 5 seconds and then went warm. He drained system and started over with more freon. Pressure correct again. No fix. He charged my '98 explorer before, so he's familiar. Until we get into more computer stuff.
Anyway, figured it could be compressor, so replaced it. No fix. Clutch engages, we have air flow, just not cold. He then replaced the Expansion valve. Still no fix.
It gets pretty toasty here in summer, and in N Utah and Wyoming( I travel to vendor events), so me running without AC is miserable.
He's not going to work on it again till spring, but I'd like to have some possible answers for him. He knows the relays/fuses, they appear fine. He did mention tonight that a wiring diagram, overall diagram of system would probably be helpful, so I've started looking. I DONT want to take it to dealer, they are wayyyy to spendy, the dealership here is completely dain bramaged, and the next nearest ones are at least hour away.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
TIA!

Welcome to the Forum.
Sometimes it's less expensive to take it to the dealer than to keep throwing parts at the issue and not correcting it.

Peter

 

[Odrapnew]

I'm a little confused, you say he charges the system and pressure are good. Then when you start it it's cold for a short time?
Is he putting the correct amount of refrigerant in?
Is he checking pressures with the vehicle running and AC on?
Is the compressor turning on?
As mentioned, cooling fans running?