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A/C Frustration What Else Can It Be?

wilbur4 on Mon February 14, 2011 10:14 AM User is offline

Year: 2003
Make: Ford
Model: F350
Engine Size: 7.3
Refrigerant Type: 134A

Less than 6 months ago my A/C was acting up. Specifically, driving along the air would blow nice and cold and then it would stop blowing cold air. This was happening off and on. !0 or 20 minutes later it would blow cold again. Frustrating to say the least. Seeing that it's hotter than heck in the summertime here I took it to the Ford dealer who charged way to much to do an A/C service. Ford's diagnosis was that the compressor was going bad and with the replacement of it and the associated parts they again wanted way too much. I purchased a new (not rebuilt) compressor, receiver/dryer, orifice tube, condenser, a flush gun and good flushing material. I had one of our ASE certified mechanics at work fix it for me trusting that since we have a whole fleet of Fords with the same 7.3 powerstroke that he would do a good job. So the months go by and 2 days ago the same problem starts again. Cruising down the freeway A/C on and it quits blowing cold air intermittently. When it did this the other day if I would punch the throttle it the air would blow cold again and same yesterday. So I seriously doubt that the compressor and new parts are bad after 6 months. Is there some other switch or control device that could be causing this? Don't want to go through the hassle with the local dealer because they never get it right the first time and would like to narrow down where to look. Any input or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

JACK ADAMS on Mon February 14, 2011 10:27 AM User is offline

If you can get your guy to get some gauge readings, which would be a big help along with the ambient temps. You could have a bad pressure cycling switch located on the accumulator or Hi-pressure cut out on the discharge line next to the compressor.

mk378 on Mon February 14, 2011 12:08 PM User is offline

When it's not cooling pull over and leave the engine running and A/C switch on. Open the hood and check if the compressor is engaged. If not, tap on the clutch plate (obviously carefully due to moving parts). If that makes it pull in, the clutch gap is too wide, which can happen even on a new compressor. If it still won't go wiggle the wires on the switches that Jack mentioned and tap on the switches themselves.

If compressor is engaged but the air is not cold you'll need pressure readings.

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