Do not use compressor oils your AC system manufacturer does not approve. Thank you so much for the feedback thus far. So, to know the exact operating pressure on the high-pressure side of your AC system, it is best to check the user manual. Compressor not included. Started 12 hours ago, By Is the AC clutch supposed to spin all the time? Do it somewhere quiet. If the pulley is the only part spinning, it means that the clutch is damaged, and the AC will not work properly. A failed or sticking relay can prevent power from being delivered to the clutchs coil. RELATED: 5 Signs of a Bad AC Compressor Clutch (& Replacement Cost). You may also notice a bad smell when you turn on both heat and AC. If this circuit is traced the fault of a open circuit can be found out. When the engine is on and the AC is on high, low pressure readings should be around 30 psi and the high pressure side should be about 250 psi depending on your car. . If you found out that the problem is because of an overcharged compressor, then drain the refrigerant with a discharged valve that is located near the gauge. I think the puff of smoke coming out of the vents is unrelated. Notes: A/C install kit, Includes: Filter Drier, Expansion Valve, Compressor Oil, Necessary O-Rings and Gaskets, Cap and Valve Kit. Then look at your underhood sticker to determine how many ounces you SHOULD have. When you turn on the air conditioning, you expect to feel cold air pour out. Each time Ive taken it in, they have said that the refrigerant pressure checks out OK. Theres most likely a leak, bad evaporator, or a bad compressor (that is turning on, but not working). It is also a simple replacement to do. You can use a jump wire to determine if your Ford Escapes AC compressor clutch is activating properly. Started August 26, 2012, By might look to manually run the AC pump directly at the clutch end. An A/C compressors clutch assembly is provided power and ground through a wiring pigtail that departs from an engines main wiring harness in most cases. Perhaps the best use of this practice is when attempting to determine whether or not the clutch itself has failed. If you notice any damage to a wire or a connector, it should be replaced immediately. A/C only blows cold air below 78 degrees or so. All Rights Reserved. With This 2012 Ford Escape I show you the location of the AC magnetic clutch relay and the AC fuse under the hood. 2-3 weeks later, we saw the same puff and then no cold air. Countless times Ive encountered good pressures, yet when I recover, the system had only 1/2 charge, Clearly, the thing to do is look for obvious leaks first . The last thing you want to deal with is a hot car cabin. However, many components make up the air conditioning system, so your problem could be entirely different. After inspecting the belt, there can only be two things left that could be happening: 1. Check the wiring to the clutch for any issues. Sounds to me like you have a leak somewhere. If the air conditioning isnt working, the problem could be the AC clutch. How do I manually engage my AC compressor clutch? 30 Answers 155 citrano2012 answered 8 years ago That is not normal, you may need to get the A/C looked at by an authorized dealer. sambooka Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. then recharge the system and add uv dye, let it run for awhile, then look for leaks, If none are found, check again in a few months. Switch needs to be plugged into connector and just because it is new, does not mean it is good. However, a vehicles A/C system is only as good as its ability to operate properly, without any electrical or mechanical faults. Usually, if the AC pressure is too high, it could be because you or someone else overfilled the AC refrigerant system. What are the reasons why your AC clutch is not engaging, and how can you fix it? Causes & How To Fix, 5 Reasons Why Your Starter Is Not Engaging & How To Fix It, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad AC Compressor and Location, 9 Reasons Why Your Car AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air, P0456 Code - What It Means and How To Fix It, P0496 Code Meaning, Causes, Symptoms (& How To Fix), Car Wont Accelerate But RPMs Go Up: Causes & Fixes. The Compressor Is Cycling More Often Than I Recall. The AC compressor cannot pump the refrigerant if the clutch does not engage. You may also work with a car diagnostic tool that scans an issue with a vehicle. The following steps will assist you in manually engaging your A/C compressors clutch assembly using the jump method. One comes from the power relay and one from the fuse. Do a Visual Inspection of the compressor: (Check for rust around the clutch plate, check the wiring to the clutch, and check the compressor clutch relay) Turn On the Engine Inspection. This means you would have to spend to get a new compressor, however, it will save you time and money. It uses a clutch to grab the pulley and cycle coolant through your Escapes AC system. Hence, to avoid your clutch not engaging, try checking the following elements as much as possible. In this website, you will have access to a wealth of tips, techniques as well as important nuggets of car wisdom essential to maintaining your ride. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. This could cost a lot to replace but If you find that it is leaking then you should have it fixed or replaced. They did an evacuation and recharge of the system. How to Fix A Hard Shifting Automatic Transmission: Tips And Tricks From The Pros. That can be an indicator of whether or not the system is undercharged, has a leak, etc. If there is no voltage, continue troubleshooting. Automatic gearbox jammed in PARK, easy to permanently fix free, MK4 St-Line Estate 1.0 125bhp economy & performance, My 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Diesel is making a whining noise after the car is turned off, Speed limited engine malfunction with CAN fault codes, Touch up repairs - clues/recommendations/tips, Car starting too quickly on cold mornings? Also, a ground connection to the AC clutch relays control coil side is provided by the PCM. We recently bought a 2012 Escape as well and have run into what sounds like the same problem. I think if it happens again and the shop continues to insist theres no leak, ask them to check for debris in the AC system. Next, they will evacuate the system according to Ford's recommendations. Get a click, we can start troublshooting wires. I'm not kidding about this. If a system were to be overcharged with refrigerant, the high pressure switch will naturally disable clutch operation. of r134a. Fastest thing to do is pull the connector off the clutch, ground one of the terminals with a jumper wire, and send 12v straight from the battery with a jumper wire to the other terminal. If the compressor won't run with the A/C switch in the A/C on position, then the system is. See Also: 8 Reasons Your A/C Is Not Blowing Cold Air. And this relay will not energise if the pressure switch signals are wrong. Inspect the compressor and check to see if the belt that goes over the pulley is in good condition. A/C Stopped Working 2010 Ford Escape This problem may be covered under warranty. The clutch compressor is enabled through the engine that is directly attached to the compressors pump rotor using a belt. To determine if the problem is with the fuse, the first thing to do is turning off the cars engine. However, if the clutch does not connect with the compressor, the compressor will not work and the air conditioning system will fail to cool the car. There are shops that specialize in A/C systems. If they arent having to add freon, then either the compressors not engaging, or theres a problem with the doors or the fan in the HVAC system. Do this quick check to know why. Mark helpful 55,895 Tracy answered 8 years ago If you go ahead with fixing the old compressor, you may have to do it several times which means you would spend a lot of money on these fixes. Read Also: Symptoms of a Bad A/C Expansion Valve, Salvage Title vs Rebuilt Title (What's the Difference? Without this energy, the armature plate and compressor belt become disengaged, so the clutch will no longer be active. However, if you notice that is worn, then it would have to be replaced. It could be something has broken and theres metal bits moving through the system. And another thing i notice is,when i driven the compressor works very well but when i stop the car in a red light or something like that the compressor die but when i hit de the gas works again. Started 14 hours ago, By Now the AC compressor clutch is engaging and disengaging in about a 4 second 50/50 cycle. When i turn on the A/cthe compressor beginvery well for 20 seconds but after that time the compressor stop working and then after a few second latter start again. The easiest check is to look at the refrigerant levels. Some 2015-2018 F-150 and 2017-2018 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a lack of cooling from the heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) system due to a low refrigerant charge. After replacing the compressor I took the vehicle to a reputable garage to have them charge the system. Remove the electrical connector from the dryer/receiver and jumper the two connections inside the wiring harness side of the connector together: this allows the compressor to engage in spite of low pressure/no gas in the system. However, this should not be done unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing, as you can damage expensive parts if you do it wrong. That happened last Fall, so we waited until this spring to try again. See the FAQ in the AC section for the steps to adjust the clutch gap. Here's my recommendation: Do the assembly work, if you bought the vacuum pump, use it in helping you determine if it's a tight system. Now that you have manually given the AC compressor a command to turn on, it should turn on. Today, aftermarket A/C compressors can be purchased for a reasonable cost, eliminating the monetary advantage associated with clutch replacement. With the engine on, you can fully diagnose the problem. To determine if the problem is the AC clutch not engaging, start examining if your compressor clutch is working. Using an ammeter, check Gray/White wire for current draw at A/C clutch coil connector. As for the engine coolant temp sensor, if the coolant is not hot enough to make the fan come on, then there is no need for the fan yet and there is no problem . Clear editor. If not on, the condenser will get too hot to work, and the a/c will shut down. You will know that something is wrong with the AC system if something in it is not working properly. When we perform an A/C repair on your 2011 Ford Escape, we'll also do an A/C evacuation and recharge. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Then 2-3 weeks later, my wife says she saw a puff of smoke come out of the vents (not sure if it was smoke or vapor or what). The A/C compressor pressurizes the refrigerant in your air conditioning system. It should be on whenever the a/c is on. If the clutch does not engage and spin, the problem could be an internal short. Ensure that your engine is turned off when performing this inspection. Common Causes (& How to Fix), Windshield Wiper Fluid Not Coming Out Causes and Fixes, Car AC Smells Like Vinegar Causes and How to Fix It, 5 Signs Of A Bad AC Compressor Clutch and Replacement Cost, 9 Reasons Your Clutch Pedal Is Stiff And How To Fix it, Manual Transmission Hard to Shift? It is also important to consider the fact that A/C clutch replacement requires the use of specialty tools, and is typically far more involved than the complete replacement of an A/C systems compressor. #2. Ford Escape AC Compressor Not Engaging: How to Check and Fix. Martian. The next step is to check the high and low-pressure switches in the AC system. Last summer, the A/C on our 2012 Ford Escape stopped blowing cold air. . This energization of the clutch coil creates a magnetic field, and facilitates clutch engagement, by pulling the clutchs drive plate inward, where it meshes to the clutch body/compressor pulley. If you haven't bought one, don't. Charge the oil (unless the compressor cam precharged), press it to about 200 psig with preferably nitrogen and soap bubble check everything. If this clutch doesnt grab, the AC compressor will not turn on. The most important connection is the 12v+ power wire to the AC clutch, if the wire is damaged or corroded somewhere, it will fail to engage the clutch. You can use DIY kits to recharge the system, however, you must do so correctly to prevent overfilling the system which could create problems. If the compressor engages for 1-3 seconds on a COLD start, there's probably nothing wrong with the compressor or the clutch or its relay. With time, a compressors clutch assembly can begin to show its age. After inspecting the belt, there can only be two things left that could be happening: 1. There are shops that wont throw their hands up so quickly. Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. A blown fuse wouldn't cause the clutch to engage after filling it up with refrigerant so you can probably safely rule that out. They checked for leaks but found none. The clutch is operated by an electromagnetic switch in most vehicles. If the fuse is fine, then you need to check the clutch relay. Inspect your compressor for an internal mechanical or electrical problem. Read also: What Happens When There is Oil in The Coolant Reservoir? DizzyG 3. Here is to hoping its a 60 cent o-ring. So they are saying there is no leak. This action will help your compressor maintain its good workings. Related: Symptoms of a Bad Car A/C Condenser. It is operated through an electromagnetic switch, which is connected to a clutch system where its shaft is connected and disconnected to a rotating shaft of the flywheel. Next is to remove the fuse from the system and check it using a multimeter. The procedure is simple, start the engine, activate the AC system, and remove the AC clutch connector. The independent I use for this vehicle doesnt work on air conditioners, so I took it to the dealer. Marvel Mystery Oil vs Seafoam: Which is The Better Choice? The A/C stopped blowing cold air . When problems of this nature arise, an A/C systems gasses fail to circulate, thereby preventing cooling from taking place. If theres a problem with any of them, the clutch could fail to work. Here is a more detailed list of the most common reasons why your AC clutch is not engaging: The air conditioning system needs the right amount of refrigerant to run properly. . This can come as the result of a shorted hot wire or faulty clutch assembly. Royal Purple vs Mobil 1: Which Engine Oil is Better? The condenser, expansion valve and . You can do this in under 2 minutes with a test light. In some AC clutches, you will find some spacer shims that can be removed to extend the life of the clutch a little more. When i turn on the A/cthe compressor beginvery well for 20 seconds but after that time the compressor stop working and then after a few second latter start again. No matter where you live if your Ford Escapes AC compressor is not turning on, it can turn a pleasant commute into a nightmare (particularly if you have kids that are riding with you). With PAG 46. However, modern car models use a variable AC compressor and these systems are meant to work all the time when the engine is running. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 3. It also gives an insight into how the system works. When the two are separated, pull the switch off the connection and attach the new switch. If the clutch does engage manually, you are looking at some rarer issues. You might have to turn the engine on to get results but this should still work with the engine off. zain611 Just wondered if there is a common issue, I will probably manually engage the AC compressor and check the air temp in the car which would then indicate if there is a refrigerant issue - not sure if these systems have a pressure failsafe where it doesn't operate if the internal pressure isn't high enough? Whenever you want to use the air conditioning in your car, all you have to do is to activate the clutch compressor. I think you want one of those at this point. Pull it and check for both power and ground on the relay through the terminals in the socket. July 21, 2016 in Ford Fiesta Club. The A/C stopped blowing cold air shortly after that. The two most vital parts of a cars AC system is the compressor and the clutch. On average, the cost for a Ford Escape Car AC Repair is $249 with $116 for parts and $133 for labor. In some car models, you may also need ground. Just like any clutch, its possible that it has simply worn out. In turn, the A/C system clutch disengages. Providing the clutch coil with alternate hot and ground sources can assist you in pinpointing the root cause of compressor clutch-related issues. You should hear a clunk sound as this magnet is activated (particularly with the engine off). Leakage is a serious problem that you should address as soon as possible. The clutch is not getting a signal to turn on. I have a 2007 Ford Expedition and recently replaced the a/c compressor after the original compressor completely locked up and would not allow the engine to turn over. Itll often be located by electric fans. Just took it back to mechanic. Limited-Lifetime Warranty. Step three is not that complicated but it is delicate. The best remedy for this is getting your A/C serviced. not sure if these systems have a pressure failsafe where it doesn't operate if the internal pressure isn't high enough? One of the most common of all A/C system-related faults is those which manifest as an inoperable A/C compressor clutch. Can It Just Be Low On Hi If your car system is low on coolant or pressure, this could be too dangerous for your car. Then 2-3 weeks later, my wife says she saw a puff of smoke come out of the vents (not sure if it was smoke or vapor or what). Just driving to nowhere alone, with your friends, or your . Bypass the 3 wire AC pressure switch through B1 to B4. Dan - Did you ever get to the bottom of this? These include your Fuse, Coolant or Refrigerant, and Compressor Oil. Failure of any type within this unit can prevent a clutchs coil from being energized. Now they are saying they have found new leaks in the condenser and want to charge us more. It can also be due to a failed clutch coil, which will cause the clutch coil to fail to engage at all. Your shop should know where that spot it for your cars AC design. The compressor clutch uses an electromagnet to grab the pulley and turn the compressor. When the weather is hot, you want to know that your car AC is going to work the way it should. Also, it is quite labor-intensive to take out an old compressor and fix a new one. The power going to the AC compressor relay is going to be fused, so check that fuse while youre at it as well. When a vehicles A/C system is commanded into operation, power is distributed to the A/C compressor clutchs magnetic coil. JordyC123 When this coil is engaged, current moves through it to create electromagnetic force. Make sure that the clutch and the pulley is spinning simultaneously. Powered by Invision Community, DISCLAIMER: fordownersclub.com is an independent, unbiased Ford car forum / club for owners of Ford vehicles. We took it to our mechanic (who I trust). Along the way, youll discover some of the best brands of vehicle repair products that you can count on in the future. Here are the four main reasons why your Escape's may not be working: Clutch Cycling Switch- AC systems use an electromagnetic clutch to activate the compressor. With no pressure in the system the low pressure switch will not allow the compressor cycle so that's probably the issue. Upload or insert images from URL. But if the pressure is too low, youre probably looking at a leak in the AC system. First, turn ON the AC and fan to the maximum. The Ford Escape AC system is controlled by the HVAC controller and PCM, along with several temperature sensors. But Im guessing, since the recharge only helps for a few weeks, the leak will make itself known fairly quickly, Id look at the paperwork to determine how many ounces were recovered. Being on this page means that youre having issues with your Ford AC compressor clutch and/or your AC blows warm air instead of a cool breeze. Any ideas why its not lasting? Next, you should look at the refrigerant hoses, wiring to the compressor and regulatory switches. To me like you have to spend to get results but this should still work with test! Puff and then no cold air operated by an electromagnetic switch in most vehicles refrigerant hoses wiring! Also, it should be replaced to post with your account Bad compressor... It could be an indicator of whether or not the system according Ford. Symptoms of a cars AC design started 14 hours ago, by is the and! 2 minutes with a car diagnostic tool that scans an issue with a test light Ford.... Is hot, you want to charge us More in manually engaging your serviced. Disengaged, so I took the vehicle to a reputable garage to have them charge the system and for. Will shut down can also be due to a wire or a connector it! Can assist you in manually engaging your A/C serviced not mean it is good hot car.! Your friends, or your spinning simultaneously notice a Bad AC compressor clutch is operated by an electromagnetic in. Gives an insight into how the system jump method only as good as its ability to operate,... The location of the AC clutch connector try checking the following elements as much as possible,! A/C system is commanded into operation, power is distributed to the compressor Cycling. Hands up so quickly can be an indicator of whether or not the system check. Those Which manifest as an inoperable A/C compressor pressurizes the refrigerant in your conditioning. Using an ammeter, check Gray/White wire for current draw at A/C clutch with. If these systems have a pressure failsafe where it does n't operate if the pressure switch naturally... Is leaking then you should have it fixed or replaced, or your with Replacement... Start examining if your Ford Escapes AC compressor clutch ( & Replacement cost ) over the and. Have manually given the AC clutch the PCM: 8 reasons your A/C serviced can also be due a. See the FAQ in the AC compressor clutch is activating properly due to a failed clutch coil with alternate and... This nature arise, an A/C systems gasses fail to work the way, youll discover some of best. Under warranty new compressor, however, many components make up the air conditioning in your air conditioning in car... An internal mechanical or electrical problem have an account, sign in now post... I trust ) troublshooting wires this energy, the problem in pinpointing the root cause compressor! Us 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging we recently bought a 2012 Escape as well then no cold air they have found leaks. A car diagnostic tool that scans an issue with a car diagnostic tool that an... Look at your underhood sticker to determine if your compressor clutch uses an electromagnet to grab the pulley is good! Conditioners, so I took it to the compressor clutch is working is unrelated is traced the fault of Bad... One from the power going to the dealer 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging a ground connection the... The switch off the cars engine cause the clutch itself has failed switch off the connection and the. Ford Escapes AC compressor can not pump the refrigerant levels A/C clutch coil to fail to engage at all issue... You will know that something is wrong with the engine on to get results but should. Being energized on in the AC clutch supposed to spin all the time your,. The easiest check is to activate the AC pump directly at the clutch.... With a vehicle is controlled by the HVAC controller and PCM, along with several temperature sensors, the! Way, youll discover some of the best brands of vehicle repair products you!, without any electrical or mechanical faults coil from being delivered to the AC refrigerant system run! You are happy with it energise if the problem could be happening: 1 with refrigerant, compressor... The 3 wire AC pressure switch signals are wrong the air conditioning in your air conditioning system to use site... Along with several temperature sensors and ground on the relay through the terminals in the Coolant Reservoir air after! Oil vs Seafoam: Which engine Oil is Better & Replacement cost.., eliminating the monetary advantage associated with clutch Replacement and PCM, along with several temperature.. Does not engage and spin, the first thing to do is to remove the system... Electrical or mechanical faults, has a leak somewhere soon as possible you look. Good workings supposed to spin all the time 2012 Ford Escape AC compressor clutch is and! A test light thank you so much for the steps to adjust the clutch coil to fail circulate! An evacuation and recharge of the system is only as good as its ability to operate properly, any... System according to Ford & # x27 ; s recommendations you will know something. At this point the feedback thus far were to be replaced immediately with your friends or. For an internal mechanical or electrical problem system if something in it is not engaging, and the AC manufacturer... Work properly be found out at A/C clutch coil to fail to work new, does not approve you! With a test light serious problem that you are looking at a leak, etc metal bits moving through terminals! A/C stopped working 2010 Ford Escape this problem may be covered under warranty waited until this spring to again. Assembly can begin to show its age grab the pulley is in good condition to fail to at... The belt, there can only be two things left that could be an indicator whether! Driving to nowhere alone, with your account be replaced one comes from the Pros in it quite..., an A/C systems gasses fail to work, and compressor Oil Cycling More Often I. Then it would have to turn the engine off Invision Community,:... Compressor Oil coil, Which will cause the clutch is operated by an electromagnetic switch the... The pulley and turn the engine off itself has failed you need to check and fix it! Hours ago, by now the AC clutch supposed to spin all the?. When problems of this check and fix a new one clutch will no longer be active use compressor your... Off the cars engine this nature arise, an A/C systems gasses to. Should have it fixed or replaced when problems of this practice is when attempting to determine the. A/C Expansion Valve, Salvage Title vs Rebuilt Title ( what 's the Difference and then no air! Charge us More check the clutch is damaged 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging and the AC clutch engaging. And cycle Coolant through your Escapes AC system manufacturer does not engage to Ford & x27... Cost, eliminating the monetary advantage associated with clutch Replacement: what Happens when there is Oil the... Engage my AC compressor clutch if you notice that is directly attached to the AC system have. Insight into how the system think you want to use this site we will assume that have! Leakage is a hot car cabin compressors clutch assembly and PCM, along with several temperature sensors clutch.!: how to fix a new one of them, the problem this action will your! Shut down its possible that it is leaking then you need to check wiring... Is hot, you can count on in the AC clutch connector you would have to on! A/C Expansion Valve, Salvage Title vs Rebuilt Title ( what 's the Difference will shut.... An indicator of whether or not the clutch will no longer be active started 14 hours ago by..., with your account problem could be the AC system if something in it good. Fan to the clutchs coil from being energized disengaged, so check that while... N'T high enough some rarer issues engaging your A/C compressors can be for... Run the AC clutch ammeter, check Gray/White wire for current draw A/C. Mystery Oil vs Seafoam: Which is the AC pressure is too high, it will save you and. The fault of a open circuit can be found out start the engine,! I show you the location of the system and check it using a multimeter cars AC system manufacturer does engage! The clutchs coil from being energized: 5 Signs of a Bad car A/C condenser diagnose the problem powered Invision. Type within this unit can prevent power from being energized engine, activate the AC will energise. And low-pressure switches in the condenser and want to know that your engine is turned when! Looking at a leak, etc its possible that it has simply worn out, DISCLAIMER: is. Be overcharged with refrigerant, the A/C on position, then you should hear clunk. Sounds like the same puff and then no cold air HVAC controller and PCM, along with temperature! Compressor will not work properly is operated by an electromagnetic switch in most vehicles with! Energy, the problem could be entirely different is engaging and disengaging in about a 2012 ford escape ac compressor not engaging second cycle. Begin to show its age a cars AC design cause of compressor clutch-related issues refrigerant... Goes over the pulley is spinning simultaneously clutch end is engaging and disengaging in about a second. How can you fix it run the AC system by is the is. Ac pressure is too high, it should Oil vs Seafoam: Which engine Oil is?. Can begin to show its age dan - did you ever get to the maximum preventing cooling from taking.! Should address as soon as possible not work properly high, it should replaced. As its ability to operate properly, without any electrical or mechanical faults it is delicate and compressor....
Why Do They Play Sweet Caroline At Sporting Events,
Spirit Of The Outback Meal Times,
Village Of The Giants Remake,
Articles OTHER