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2004 F150 blows cold for a few minutes, cuts off for a few minutes, then cold again.

atikovi on Thu July 26, 2012 8:39 PM User is offline

Year: 2004
Make: Ford
Model: F150
Engine Size: 4.6L
Refrigerant Type: 134
Ambient Temp: 95

Recently got this 2004 XLT 4.6L. Didn’t use the A/C much before, maybe a few minutes at a time but when I did it was ice cold. Today I went for a longer drive and it was in the upper 90’s. After about 20 minutes, the compressor cuts off. I try it again in a few minutes and it blows cold for a few minutes and then quits again. I put gauges on and at rest they both read around 100psi. When the compressor does kick in they are about 35 and 210 at idle. Any known issues that may cause that? I’m imagining moisture in the system freezing causing a blockage and cutting off the compressor, then melting after a few minutes allowing it to start again. Or is the heat causing too much pressure in the system and shutting down the compressor? Is there a way to drive it with the gauges connected so I can see what’s happening at road speeds?

brickmason on Thu July 26, 2012 11:46 PM User is offline

Clutch gap is too wide.
Fords are notorious for that!

-------------------------
Just another brick in the wall

Had a little mule I fed him castor oil and every time he jumped the fence he fertilized the soil

Dougflas on Fri July 27, 2012 6:29 AM User is offline

You need to increase the idle speed to 1500 and let it run. You may be low on charge. Also, Fords had a boat load of defective cycling switches.

atikovi on Fri July 27, 2012 11:39 AM User is offline

Which is the cycling switch? The one in the accumulater or the one in the line? I rigged up my gauges coming out the back of the hood through the passenger window so I can see whats going on exactly when it turns warm. If the air goes warm and low pressure reads below 20-25, it needs more freon? If it stays above 20-25 the switch is bad?

atikovi on Fri July 27, 2012 1:45 PM User is offline

Went for a drive and the low side keep going below 20psi and cutting off the compressor. I'll add 1/2 pound of freon and see what it does.

Dougflas on Fri July 27, 2012 5:05 PM User is offline

Good decision

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