93 Escort A/C Cycling Switch

Ever since I got my 93 Escort (3 years ago) the A/C has never worked right. I would turn it on and leave it on all the time and the compressor only engaged like for five minutes once a week. I checked the pressure in the lines when the car was turned off and it was over 140 PSI. So I figured that low freon wasn't the problem. I decided to try and bypass the A/C cycling switch. I unplugged the switch and put a paper clip in. Sure enough, the compressor kicked on and the air got ice cold.

My question is this: Would it be really stupid to just leave it like this and just turn off the A/C like every 5 - 10 minutes to let the system cool down? I realize that it wouldn't turn off by itself if I leave the cycling switch bypassed. Maybe this is just a really stupid question in the first place. I just don't want to have to go through the trouble of replacing the cycling switch.

Well, after more investigation, the A/C control switch isn't the problem after all. I drove down the highway for ten minutes and the compressor switched off. It never came back on. I stopped off the road and readjusted my paper clip, thinking that it had come out. Nothing would work again. It was all a coincidence.

I came back home and started messing around more. I noticed that when you push the A/C button in the car a brown relay box right next to the passenger door clicks. I tried hitting this box lightly with my flashlight. It worked! The A/C kicked on!

This is the box I am talking about:

http://cc.usu.edu/~kena/AirCond.jpg

I can't find any information on what this relay box is in my repair manual. It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to replace it. Can anybody tell me what this box is exactly so I know what new part to get?

Look on the box itself, it should have all the info you need. Ford usually prints info on their parts. If it doesnt then take it to your service department and the guy there will get you what you need.

Go to a local parts store and ask for an a/c relay. If they ask, its the one under the hood. Costs about 10 bucks, just make sure they look the same. I had to replace mine about a year ago, got it at Advance Auto Parts.

Actually, according to Chilton, the AC relay is on the left

I think this is the A/C cut-out relay. When you push the gas pedal to the floor it cuts of the A/C for max power when passing or accelerating.
I have a '93 and my A/C problem was a clogged orofice. I think a new one was $10 at AutoZone.

If the orofice is clogged then I think the clutch shuts off because there is TOO MUCH pressure. Not because the pressure is low.

Paperclips are awesome.

R-134a+ is amazing.