A/C and Heater problems with '97 X

[Bughracing]

On our trip to Colorado about a month ago the heater core went out on my '97 Explorer. I just hooked the two hoses together inside the engine compartment to bypass the heater core. Now once we got back to Texas, it doesn't seem to have any cold AC. Any ideas or suggestions that I can try? Does the heater core have anything to do with the Cold Air? I thought it just did heat...

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Jason_25]

If you bypassed it, I beleive you have another problem altogether. Check for leaks in the refrigerant system.

 

[X24]

blend door??? When you turn the temp dial does it do anything? my blend door went and blocked the a/c from coming through because it was stuck in the heat position. if it does turn out to be your blend door check out Dead Link Removed

 

[weebo]

www.mightyap.com/Data/otl1200.pdf There's a decent article about the blend door.

My '97 is doing about the same as yours...well, with the a/c, not the heater. My heater works fine, but I can't get the air flow to go anywhere except the defrosters. And my a/c doesn't work....

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by weebo
www.mightyap.com/Data/otl1200.pdf There's a decent article about the blend door.

My '97 is doing about the same as yours...well, with the a/c, not the heater. My heater works fine, but I can't get the air flow to go anywhere except the defrosters. And my a/c doesn't work....

Weebo, have you checked the vacuum line connection the "orb" in the engine bay? When the line fell off on mine, all I could get air from was the defrost vents.

 

[Bughracing]

Well the problem was a AC blown line that goes to the condenser. I just bought one from for ford for $55 bucks. How many cans of freon do I need to put into the A/C system. It is completely empty now.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Bughracing]

ttt

 

[Robert]

Have you checked the label under the hood? I've seen posts that say it is on there. Not sure though. I do remember reading that my '97 takes a little less than two cans, but I don't remember how many ounces the cans were. They come in different sizes with 12oz being the most common. I think it was something like 20oz when empty.

 

[Bughracing]

Great, I will check under the hood, I didn't think to check there. I just looked at the manual and couldn't find anything.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Originally posted by Bughracing
Well the problem was a AC blown line that goes to the condenser. I just bought one from for ford for $55 bucks. How many cans of freon do I need to put into the A/C system. It is completely empty now.

Thanks!
Jon

Check your your grill sticker. Mine says 1lb 14 oz. and 9oz of oil. Good luck, the system is not easy to fill and stabalize. I already tried it and just went ahead and spent the 100 bucks to have a pro do it.

Basically I needed 39 oz, it's not easy to do.

 

[Bughracing]

Ok, I finally have cold air again, but anytime the A/C is on, the truck hunts for an idle, it shakes, and is very sluggish when you start driving or try to go in reverse. If I turn the air condition off, it idles perfectly. Any idea what would cause this?

 

[2001ExpSport]

Yes, you need to reset the idle trim. Disconnect the battery for at least 5 minutes. Reconnect and start. Let the engine warm to operating temp, if it is already warm let it idle for at least one minute. Then turn on the a/c and run at idle for at least one minute. You'll need to drive about 20 miles for it to complete the relearning cycle.

After that you should be fine.

 

[Bughracing]

Originally posted by 2001ExpSport
Yes, you need to reset the idle trim. Disconnect the battery for at least 5 minutes. Reconnect and start. Let the engine warm to operating temp, if it is already warm let it idle for at least one minute. Then turn on the a/c and run at idle for at least one minute. You'll need to drive about 20 miles for it to complete the relearning cycle.

After that you should be fine.

Thanks! I will try that today.

 

[2001ExpSport]

No problem, let me know how it goes.

 

[Bughracing]

It worked great! Thanks! ... but now there are only 10 more problems with the truck that need to be addressed...