2002 Escape a/c problem

[newyorker1]

my mother in laws 2002 95000 miles ford escape air conditioning has stopped working. i checked the fuses in the car and in the engine compartment all is good. when she turns on the a/c nothing happens the system has refrigerant at the correct amount, when the car is off i can spin the a/c clutch with my hand. thats not good. is there a problem with these a/c's she needs to know about? can we fix this problem or the dealer or a a/c place. thanks

[newyorker1]

WOW, not one responce, nice.

[rhandwor]

I doubt you have enough refrigerant in the system. It has to running to check the pressure. If you used a scale it has to be running to get refrigerant into the system. The compressor works like a pump and a missing expansion valve will allow it to move easier. The clutch has to be closed or the pulley will only spin which is what I think is occuring. Check for power to the clutch 12 volt. if you don't know how to check go to a mechanic.

[clutch492]

That is correct. There is a low pressure switch that will prevent the air conditioning compressor to activate. You need to add some refrigerant to get the low pressure switch to "see" pressure. Then, the clutch will kick in and start creating pressure on the high side.