AC in the winter.

[elflaco65]

Hello members. I'm in the market to buy a ford explorer. So I went to a dealer down my way to see a 2005 model yesterday. It was freezing when I got there. So I start to look at this buitiful explorer and was making shure that everything worked fine before going on a test drive. I wanted to see if the ac unit was working fine. So I turned on the ac botton and that light went on but the compressor would not engage. It was blowing cold air, but come on. It was freezing outside. Is the ac bad or it doesn't engage the compressor because its to cold? Any clues?? Also some advice on what to look for when buying a ford explorer on very cold days. Thanks. Gregory

 

[D Hook]

Compressor won't kick on below 40-something degrees. But it should kick on when you turn to defrost, I think.

 

[elflaco65]

So how would I know if the ac system works if the ac compressor doesn't engage in cold days?? Guess I'm going to have to wait till summer comes around. LOL

 

[D Hook]

Here's a crazy idea: turn the setting to defroster.

 

[Exproblems]

So how would I know if the ac system works if the ac compressor doesn't engage in cold days?? Guess I'm going to have to wait till summer comes around. LOL

You answered your own question, summer or the earliest warm days in spring time to see if the AC is cooling properly. You won't be able to see how well the AC is cooling during winter or even do a proper temp or pressure check of it till the outside temps get warmer. You should be able to hear the AC compressor cycle on and off during winter when set to the Defroster setting, even though you have the inside temp setting set to hot. Ford designed the AC system to work in conjuction with the defroster setting to help clear the windshield faster of fog, because of the drier nature of AC air.

 

[Exproblems]

Also some advice on what to look for when buying a ford explorer on very cold days. Thanks. Gregory

Make sure the vehicle is clean and free of road grime or winter related crap, road salt etc, so you can see every scratch, ding or dent. Test drive it good, check all the dash gauges to read properly. Check the heat settings and dash vents to work properly. One way to check the internal condition of the engine that I like to do and have been doing it for decades when buying a new/used car is while on the test drive, find a "quiet" parking lot and park next to building wall, few feet away, driver door parallel to the wall with the window rolled down. Next, turn off everything inside the car, radio, fan blower etc, then safely and slowly press on the brakes and hold the brake pedal down keeping the vehicle still, while slowly revving up the engine steadily with the gas pedal, slowly increasing the rpm's while hold the vehicle in place with the brakes. This is also known as 'Power Braking", but don't spin the tires during this(no burnout). While doing this you are listening for any internal engine knocks, rattles or noises while the engine is placed "under a load". The building wall helps enhance/bounce engine sounds off of it making it easier for you to hear any internal engine noises. If you hear any loud knocks(piston rod issues) or rattles(timing chain guides), run away from the vehicle. Some serious internal engine problems aren't always noticeable unless the vehicle is placed in gear and under a load. Just listening to it in park and idle doesn't always alert you to any internal engine problems. Check the transimission out as well, 4x4 system too, making sure all the gears work and the vehicle shifts properly. Check all the other normal things out as well, ball joints, tie rods etc. Don't be afraid to negotiate repairs or updates you want done to the vehicle by the dealership(no cost to you) while going thru the buying process. Good luck if you decide to buy the Ex! BTW, try to get any maintenance history on the vehicle and a CarFax report for it to see how many owners it had or accidents it was in.

 

[roush9799]

Do like we did when we bought our last tractor in the winter. Make the dealer guarantee the a/c will work when the time comes or he fixes it. Get it in writing. Only other option is to get it inside a heated shop and let it sit for a while and try it.

 

[elflaco65]

You guys are great. Thanks for all the tips, now I feel more confident. Like the idea about asking the dealer for a written guarantee. Great option.

 

[roush9799]

Dealer will figure its a 50/50 chance of it working fine, if not, they can get the vehicle sold, and it won't cost them as much to fix later on as it would if you had to get it fixed.