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Intermittent cooling is it the fan clutch?

Mulder on Fri July 18, 2008 5:44 PM User is offline

Year: 2000
Make: Ford
Model: F150
Engine Size: 4.2l
Refrigerant Type: r134a
Ambient Temp: 87
Pressure Low: 30
Pressure High: 190

It cools intermittently. Cools fine at the start of the day but if I set at a stop light for very long or shut it off for a few minutes then the compressor stops running.

I'm thinking it's the fan clutch but I'm not sure how to test.

Chick on Fri July 18, 2008 6:50 PM User is offlineView users profile

Sounds more like the clutch gap (on the compressor) when it stops cooling see if the outer hub of the compressor is engaged, if not "carefully" tap the outer plate, if it grabs and starts cooling again, check the clutch air gap..should be around .02 Hope this helps..


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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Mulder on Sun July 20, 2008 2:26 AM User is offline

Thanks for the answer Chick, I guess I'm a little confused on what to check.

The outer part is turning with the belt but the clutch plate is not engaged. I tried tapping the front of the clutch plate with a wrench but it didn't engage. There did seem to be a magnetic attraction though, so does this mean that it is trying to engage the clutch or is there always a magnetic field?

Chick on Sun July 20, 2008 5:24 AM User is offlineView users profile

Check the air gap with a business card as the below pic shows. It should fit snuggly all around.. If it does, then you might have an electrical issue. You can try to Jump the "two wire" cycling switch on the ,low side and if the compressor engages and blows cold, change that switch..Hope this helps..


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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

Mulder on Mon August 04, 2008 12:27 PM User is offline

Sorry for the delay in replying been off on other projects.

Chick, thanks for the picture, I thought I understood what you were talking about but the picture makes it very clear.

The gap is infact much greater than .02, I'd estimate close to double that. I'm confused though on how the clutch gap can change.

A few more observations on the symptoms... Since it's been so hot the air cuts out even sooner and if I'm stopped at a light for more than a couple of minutes then the vent temps practically match the outside temps. I've noticed now that the compressor is still running at these times. The temp guage for the engine hasn't changed that I can tell, but I'm sure these are not very accurate and mine doesn't even suggest the number of degrees, just hot and cold.

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