Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Fordman252 on Sun June 23, 2013 5:01 PM

Year: 2004
Make: Ford
Model: Explorer xlt
Engine Size: 4.6l
Refrigerant Type: 134
Ambient Temp: 100
Pressure Low: 35
Pressure High: 250
Country of Origin: United States

Recently I noticed my air conditioning was not cold as it should be when I am cruising down the highway. When I come to a stop, car idling,air starts becoming cold. I checked the system with a set of gages and this is what I found:
at 1000rpm low side= 35 psi high side= 250psi ambient air temp 100 degrees F air conditioning set to max air inside air temp was 48 degrees F

When I increase the rpm to 1500 the low side drops down to 20 psi, high side climbs to about 265 psi the compressor clutch kicks out. After the low side climbs back up to 40 psi clutch re engages.At this rpm and higher the clutch keeps engaging and disengaging. When I drop the rpm back to 1000 rpm everything seems fine air is cold. Any thought on this? Is my system low on refrigerant?

Dougflas on Sun June 23, 2013 7:01 PM

My guess is low on refrigerant. It should not cycle at 100* ambient.