Help.. my A/C quit working... the dealer says it is normal?

[lib2DaBone]

The Ford dealer says the Refrigerant is good (R134). There are no leaks and the compressor is good. However.. when I drive down the road.. it blows hot air? Been back 2 times?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. It's a Ford

There's the problem.

[LostinVA]

2. That is definitely not normal -- the dealer is the one blowing hot air

And probably trying not to get zinged by your state's Lemon Law.

[scheming daemons]

3. Nearly 10% of the country isn't working at the moment... and economists call that "normal" too..

...

[lib2DaBone]

4. LOL... so true

[Kali]

5. make the bastard drive around on a hot afternoon with the windows up

and then ask if it is normal.

I have a dodge that does this - especially when climbing hills or accelerating sharply, it also takes 3 weeks or more to swtch from heater mode to cold AC (although when if finally switches the air is nice and toasty/cold)

I read somewhere that my problem is some kind $1.79 vacuum check valve. I haven't got around to looking for it or finding one at the parts store, cause I am lazy that way (more important things, like the broken window regulator that took me an hour to get out of the door yesterday - should have took 5 minutes)

I tell you this so you can suggest the possibilty to your mechanic. And unless your vehicle is under waranty, don't go to the dealer for repairs.i (and even if it is you may still want to go elsewhere)

[flvegan]

6. Uh, no that's not normal.

Since it's a Ford, can you tell if there's dripping into the passenger footwell? IIRC, Ford was brilliant about putting the evaporator behind the dashboard in many of their cars. Unless there's warranty, I'd take it to an actual automotive a/c repair place.

[lib2DaBone]

7. Thnx Flvgn.. I think you're right... the dealers suck....

[krispos42]

8. Check and see if the compressor is running

If you roll down the windows and turn off the radio with the engine idling, you should be able to hear a change in the engine sound when the A/C compressor clicks on and off, or when you turn the switch on and off manually.

You can also feel the A/C hoses that run from the A/C compressor. During operation one should be cold and one should be hot.


If the compressor is running and you're full of R134a, then it's probably some ductwork problem behind the dash. It's sucking air past the heater core instead of the evaporator.





If the compressor isn't clicking on (the hoses aren't changing tempurature) then the problem is the compressor, or perhaps the wiring that turns the compressor on and off. There's an electric clutch that engages and disengages the compressor, you see. You might have a blown fuse, which keeps the clutch from engaging the compressor. Or the A/C switch (or the automatic climate control) may have gone bad.


Check the fuse, and also check to make sure the plug that goes to the compressor is pushed in firmly. (Turn the engine off, first). If the plug is poorly attached then power isn't getting to the electric clutch.

[Gold Metal Flake]

9. It's normal for the A/C to blow cold air.

Long-time Ford owner here. The bashers in this thread can PISS OFF and I mean that in a nice, funny Lounge way.

When does it blow hot? All of the time? Only when accelerating?

If it's all the time, it's broke. Take it to another Ford dealer and get it fixed.

[OmahaBlueDog]

10. OK, let's talk about this for a moment

Let's take the dealer at his/her word for a moment, and say that they put the pressure gauges on and the refrigerant levels and pressure were good.

If the level is even a little low, the evaporator may be icing over. You turn it on, it blows cold -- then, suddenly blows warm. You park the car, come back an hou later, and -- voila! it blows cold again.

If it just blows warm, it sounds like the blend door is not moving to the correct position. Could be the vacuum hose is disconnerced; could be a bad control head, or the blend door mechanism may be broken or blocked.


I'd take it to another dealer.

[lib2DaBone]

12. Bingo! Thanks Omaha. I think you and Krispos nailed it.....

Compressor is working fine.. R134 is fine. It is sucking air past the heater core. (Found a TSB on this as well.. Fords are known for this problem)

Last week when the A/C quit, at the exact same time... my car developed a rough idle due to a small vacuum leak.

I bet $1K that the vacuum leak is in the little divertor door controller on the blend door.

Going to the dealer on Monday. If I get it fixed... drinks for everyone... cheers.

[rucky]

11. Turn the dial so it's pointing away from the red bars. n/t