QuestionQUESTION: Hi, 1995 Ford Windstar 3.8. A/C compressor cuts off at engine idle, If i rev the motor to 1500-2000 RPM for 30-45 sec. it will come back on. I checked the pressure and came back a bit high with 50 low 175 high. I recovered a bit of 134A so the pressure was 45 low and 150 high but it continues to cut off at idle. Its ok at highway speeds but in town its brutal. I tried to jump the low pressure cut off switch at idle and the compressor didnt come on, the only other switch i see has 4 wires going to it and Im not sure how to try to jump it. Any help?
ANSWER: first thing i need you to do is- at idle turn the a/c on and let me know if the cooling fan is on
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QUESTION: Yes both fans are on at idle, forgot to mention earlier that it is a dual A/C unit front and rear air.
ANSWER: i would like you to recheck the pressures and keep this in mind when doing it, your high side pressure should reach the equivalent of 100psi over ambient air temperature. your low sisde should cycle between 20 and 60 psi
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QUESTION: ok checked the pressures again today. Its 92° outside today, started the van, turned on the A/C and after a few minutes the pressure was 63 low side 195 high side 50-55° at the vents. after about 15 minutes the pressures were 50 low and 210 high side and vent temp was 50°. It kept these pressures during the test, also i was checking in the shade windows up max air front and rear air on high. after 20 or so minutes i had the water hose out so i sprayed through the condenser and the high side dropped to about 150 but went back up as soon as i stopped. I didn't see alot of gunk built up but sprayed thru anyways. We had it out driving yesterday and it never got below 65° and was cycling off alot at low speeds and at stop lights. I turned the O/D off so it would run at higher RPMs in town and that helped some.
Answerthe problem is you have a restriction in the fixed orrifice. not sue if you know what that means so, here's a brief description. there is a steel line that comes off the accumulator and into the evaporator. before the freon gets there, there orrifice changes the flow from low volume to a high pressure low volume as the tube shrinks. where this tube shrinks is the orrifice. it acts as a filter as well. you'll need to seperate this line remove this screen ( it's about 4-5 inches long and fits in the tube ) and clean it. if you go to you tube. you can type, " where is the fixed orrifice on my "" what ever the vehicle is. you will most likely be able to watch a video on how to do this. should have further questions please feel free to write. -b-
