A/C dead!??

[Glacier991]

yes. Frankly those cheapie single gauge sets are all but worthless in my opinion. [Especially in an orifice tube system like FORD uses] If the compressor is able to suck down the low side to 25 psi (approx cutout pressure) in 5 seconds, you are still low on refrigerant. The best way to know in the real world is to have a dual gauge set monitoring both high side and low side, which is not available to us in your situation. So.... At this point add refrigerant and lengthen the time between coompressor cut outs, and check the vent temps. The actual times between compressor low side cutouts will vary with a number of different factors (ambient temps, condensor airflow, cabin temperature etc) but 20-30 seconds on a warmish day is a good start. I'm betting once you get a little more refrigerant in there you will start seeing cooler vent temps.

 

[91explorer1009]

Ok so I added the rest of the can and now the compressor is running longer when it clicks on but it is clicking on and off faster than 5 seconds now maybe like 2 or 3. Sorry for being dense but it is late and I am trying to understand the cutouts and everything. When I added more the compressor started to click on and off more often than previously and stayed on for about 8 seconds. When you say cutouts, I am sorry do you mean time it is on or off? What should be a good thing or normal. Should the compressor click on and run for 20 to 30 seconds, then shut off for how long?? Is it bad it is running long and cycling on and off with 3 seconds of down time. I just need it explained a little simpler, like it should turn on and run for 30 seconds then turn off for (blank) time. sorry for the needed explanation but I just dont want to misunderstand what you mean by cutouts. Is that the time the compressor stays on or off? I am new to this so I am sure when you explain it it makes perfect sense to you but I am retarted and I am like oh no I added too much refrigerant and now the compressor is staying on too long...since I am looking at the gauge and when it is raising it is going into the yellow, I just dont want to do things wrong, thanks again

 

[Glacier991]

well like I said the time it is on and off will depend on factors like temperature. If it is cooling down, it is possible it might be faster. Did you notice any change in vent temps?

Forget the gauge color zones. They really do not apply in this kind of system (orifice tube).

I am talking about the compressor locking in on a warm day and running for 20-30 seconds. THEN cutting out.....

You may yet be low on refrigerant. It should not take 2 cans worth, but more like 1-1/2 or so. Don't worry... go slow with another can, and keep checking temps, and forget that stupid color band on that idiot gauge. Check the vent temps.

Let me try and explain why the gauge is not useful. Ford uses a system in which the compressor shuts off when the low side pressures get below a specified point (around 25 psi). With the compressor off, the high side (around 200psi or higher) and the low side (25 psi at the time the system stops) try and equalize... slowly.... once the low side gets to around 45 psi, the compressor kicks in....the idea is to prevent the part of the system in the cabin (the evaporator) from freezing. Now on your gauge, 45 psi is yellow zone probably. So forget it. It will always run up into the yellow zone! (I guess you can tell I am not a fan of those little gauges.....)

Other systems use "expansion valves" and compressors run more or less constantly and the pressures are controlled by the valve, not by stopping the compressor. In those systems, your little gauge makes SOME sense. BUT! ....Not in the FORD system where pressures will always fluctuate between 25 and 45 on the side you are testing....and the actual state of charge may depend more on how fast the system cycles than on the pressures...

all that said, I DO wish I knew actual pressures on the system when the compressor cuts in and runs and cuts out and stops.... colors don't get it for me. I prefer high side pressure, low side pressure, ambient air temp and vent temps. NOW that is something I can meaningfully advise from.

 

[91explorer1009]

tommorow i will tell you the psi when the compressor turns on and then when the compressor shuts off. I do know know what the ambient temp is or how to figure it out and the best I could do with temps of the vents is just to describe the temp, like warm or cool, slightly cool, etc. sorry it is the best I can do without any other tools, but I will do my best to get the psi turn on and off figures for you, it is just good to know that the compressor running for longer does not mean that my engine is going to explode, thanks, Sam ......oh and just a thought, if I happened to overcharge the system, is there a way to let some out, or am I screwed? just wondering in case that happens.

 

[Glacier991]

Sam, not trying to complicate things, ambient just means outdoor air temperature.

and yes you can let excess out. Relax .... this is all ok.

 

[Crizz]

note : when my a/c was refilled in may, the a/c-specialist told me to start the engine and turning the a/c to max. During the filling at first you could hear the cycles between turning on and off (comp. ) turned longer, at nearly 80% fill-up the comp. turned to run continious as long as i let the a/c switched to max a/c and max vent-power. Guess you can´t overfill your a/c this way, there´s a sticker at your a/c where you can see the max. filling (weight ), check it with the content of one of those refill cans, than it´s valuable if one can would be enough.

Add.: during filling up the system you should hear the engine speed fall a little

 

[91explorer1009]

Ok just got back from work and I put the second can into the system. As I put in in the compressor started to stay on longer just like you said it would. It stayed on for about 15 seconds the would cut out, then after being off for 5 seconds it would go on again for about 15 sec's. The temp outside is about 80-85 right now and the vent temps did get pretty cool, I tried adding a little more to get it between 20-30 second cycles and I might have added a little too much because now the compressor wont stop running. Can I depress the little nozzle where I am adding it to release some?? The psi it was previously just cutting on at was 55 and then going to 25 and cutting out, the after 5 seconds it would rise to 55 again and then go on for 15 seconds and bring it down to 25, but like i said then I added a little more from the same second can and think it might be too much since the compressor is now not shutting off and it can't get it back down to 25, just about 27-28 psi... once again thanks a ton and as long as I can let some out I think I will be ok, besides the fact I realize that the coolant had to go somewhere and now I know I obviously have some kind of leak, oh well what can I do, maybe this stop leak in the second can will seal it up, thanks, Sam

 

[Glacier991]

Yer ok, relax. I think you have it right where you need to have it. Enjoy the cool air and your AC. LEAVE IT ALONE AND STOP WORRYING. You did good! Job complete.

ps. there are 2 schools on "stop leak" additives. I am of the school that says NO. Other, smarter folks, disagree. At least you have my take on it.

 

[91explorer1009]

Hey Glacier, thanks again. And just to rest my head, is it ok to have the compressor running non stop and not cycling off. I will be thinking I am going to burn it out with it always running and that will wind up costing me. Sorry for the worrying but I can't afford any other problems. Should I give it a few days and pm you if it doesnt start to cycle?

 

[Glacier991]

yeah it wont burn out, so relax on that ...but it should cycle.... so in a few days see what's what and let us know. you can PM me if you like.

Like Yoda said to Luke.... Relax, feel the cool air....

 

[91explorer1009]

hi guys, its been a while and still no cold air. I am pretty sure I guess I have a leak, since my system can't hold a charge. The compresor is again not cycling. I added in this little can of red dye stop leak and detector. But I can't find the red dye leaking out from anywhere. No tubes or hoses or anything. Well I am stumped and still am suffering with no air. Any suggestions. The round cylinder maybe bad, not sure if thats the evap. or cond, or what.. help...

 

[Glacier991]

check under the foam on the black cannister near the passenger side firewall (the accumulator) these had a tendency to rust out with moisture collecting under the foam.

 

[91explorer1009]

under the foam? you mean under the cannister? Can I still get a new one accumulator that is??

 

[Glacier991]

sure you can. The old cannisters were covered in foam, you can peel it off, almost like peeling an orange... odds are good yours may be leaking there. Accumuators are about $50.

 

[91explorer1009]

i dont have foam, it is metal and black, the black paint is peeling a little bit though but besides that no foam must have been updated some time

 

[91EX4x4]

you can get a accumulator on ebay for 25+ 8 shipping. Right now there is one on there for the 91-94 explorers.