A/C clutch engages once then nothing

[scooter78]

I have a 1999 Explorer. It has 72,000 miles on it. When you turn on the A/C the clutch engages for about 5 sec. then cuts off. It doesn't come back on. When the a/c clutch does engage the air starts to cool. I hooked a EZ Chill canister thinking the freon was low. When I connected to the low side -the pressure was at about 100psi. I didn't add any freon. I jumped the low pressure switch and saw "no change". The compressor clutch still engaged for 5 sec then stopped. The only other thing this vehicle has is 2 codes p1000, and p0118. Temperature gauge works normally. I don't know where check next.
Thanks.


*Note* This vehicle since it was new was driven for a couple of weeks then garaged. Allowed to sit for 2 to 3 months. This happen about 3 times a year. This cycle has gone on for over 10+ years.

 

[1998Exp]

I would fix the P0118 trouble code first. It is an indication of the coolant sensor reporting a sub-freezing temperature, even after the engine has been running for a while. This may be due to a bad sensor, or (more likely), a connection problem between it and the ECM - perhaps a broken wire inside the harness. With no valid coolant temperature reading, the ECM can't properly manage fuel delivery and puts the engine in an open loop, "limp home mode". Don't know what is the A/C control strategy under these conditions, but it stands to reason that the ECM won't allow it to operate.
Note that your vehicle has two temperature sensors, and the one connected to the gauge has nothing to do with the one used by the ECM.

I have a 1999 Explorer. It has 72,000 miles on it. When you turn on the A/C the clutch engages for about 5 sec. then cuts off. It doesn't come back on. When the a/c clutch does engage the air starts to cool. I hooked a EZ Chill canister thinking the freon was low. When I connected to the low side -the pressure was at about 100psi. I didn't add any freon. I jumped the low pressure switch and saw "no change". The compressor clutch still engaged for 5 sec then stopped. The only other thing this vehicle has is 2 codes p1000, and p0118. Temperature gauge works normally. I don't know where check next.
Thanks.


*Note* This vehicle since it was new was driven for a couple of weeks then garaged. Allowed to sit for 2 to 3 months. This happen about 3 times a year. This cycle has gone on for over 10+ years.