I have been noticing that my compressor is kicking in and out when I have the heat on in the truck. This weekend, was the first warm period we have had since I got the truck and the A/C was barely cool. I went to Autozone to get a recharge kit and the guy came out to help me. We could not get the truck to take a charge. We had the A/C on max, and the clutch was engaging, you could see it spinning. But it would not take the coolant. He seemed to know what he was doing and he even had his own recharge hose and gage in his car that he used. So I imagine he had done it a few times.

Any suggestions? this is a 2000 F150 XLT Club Cab with the 5.4 and 98k miles. Not that it probably matters but the truck is in near new condition inside and out. I did not check out the A/C when I got the truck since it was quite cold out, but I got it for $4700 so I did not hurt regardless.

Hopefully we were doing something wrong and you all are not going to tell me its a bad compressor LOL!!

Thanks!!

Andrew

 

The compressor is supposed to cycle in all climate control modes except FLOOR, VENT, and OFF.

What you didn't say was what the ambient temperture was and what the clutch cycling interval was.

Hopefully, you did find the correct port on the accumulator can and you weren't trying to charge through the high pressure line.

By the way, I'd never trust a 'Zoner to know how to service a vehicle just because he has his own hose in his car.

Steve

 

The clutch kicks in an out in all modes of heat. Def, Floor, Panel etc. The cycle rate is about 2-3 seconds on, 2-3 seconds off. Temp does not seem to make a differance as far as the cycling goes from what I have noticed.

The port that we were using was near the firewall on the passenger side. There was another port of the same type (quick connect) towards the front but it was a larger port.

When I originaly got the recharge kit I tried to use that port and it would not fit so I took the kit back. The Autozone guy said it had to fit and that was when he came out.

Thanks for the reply! I do indeed hope we were doing something wrong!! I would like to have AC this summer LOL.

Andrew

 

Yeah the recharge kits only will fit the low pressure port (near the firewall on the accumulator i believe). If it isn't taking any coolant you'll probably have to have it serviced by an A/C tech. Don't want to overcharge a system...and if it has been overcharged....not good.

 

It's time to hook up a set of manifold gauges and see what's going on.

It does sound like a low charge condition which means you have a leak that must be repaired before recharging with refrigerant.

Steve

 

Since it seems you aren't an experienced AC Mechanic and the autozoned-out guy certainly isn't.
You should have the truck properly serviced at an experienced Auto AC shop.
Not the corner quick-lube store either.

 

one thing you didnt mention is if the system had enogh PSI (did you check with a gauge) if it did have enough refrigerant in the system then it would not take anymore (not enough pressure in the can to overcome the system pressure). so before you even try to add refrigerant you need to find that out first, also sometime you will have enough in the system according to the gauge but the stuff inside is all used up and you would need to replace the gas/oil and that will make you blow cold, if it was holding the pressure to begin with.

 

The pressure gage showed that there was some, but not much, pressure in the system.

I am taking it in and having it looked at by an A/C shop and hoping for the best. Not really wanting to buy a compressor or something major if I can avoid it.

Thanks for all the input. I will post a follow up once I get the word if its just low on coolant.

 

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Refrigerant is NEVER "used up".


As I said, if your charge is low, it is due to a leak. Leaks must be repaired, the system properly evacuated, then recharged with the proper amount.

Some things are best left to those with the proper training and tools. This is one of them.

The same goes for giving advice. While well intentioned, if it's wrong, it's still wrong and not helpful.

Steve