Air conditioner keeps trying to click on when heat is turned on?

Well I know a few people here know there way around an engine so im going to look for some feedback here.

Ok I have a 92 taurus 3litre V6 and it runs great, it's not that bad on gas and it still has a LOT of power for an older car, but the heating/cooling systems are starting to give me some headaches.

So right now the problem is with the heating system. When I turn the heat on in the "vent" position it works like it should and pumps out an assload of heat, BUT when I put the heat in either the "floor"/"mix"/"dash" heat positions it still works, but the air conditioner tries to keep turning on.

What I mean by that is the disk that engages to run the ac motor clicks on then off repeatedly, but only when the heat is in the floor/mix/dash position. So of course this causes the engine to be overworked and a TON of gas to be eaten up so I keep the heat in the vent position when heat is needed.

Anyone here know why the ac would keep trying to click on when the heat is in those 3 positions and NOT when it's in the vent position?

This is really weird and just started up on me a few weeks ago.

Thanks for any input on this.

That does sound strange. What happens when you put it on defrost?? And also wondering does you air flow change positions. What I mean by that is when you have it on the floor does it just blow out the floor? And when you switch it to the dash or defrost does it switch from the floor to the other positions?

That does sound strange. What happens when you put it on defrost?? And also wondering does you air flow change positions. What I mean by that is when you have it on the floor does it just blow out the floor? And when you switch it to the dash or defrost does it switch from the floor to the other positions?

What do you mean by "defrost"? If you mean the button to defrost the rear window then my answer is it works perfectly fine.

Airflow is perfectly normal. When the heat is in vent position(by vent i mean blowing at your face)it works fine and no engine problems, BUT as i said before when the heat is in the floor/mix/dashboard(front window) positions the damn a/c keeps trying to click on.

Air is still hot and flows freely in all positions, but in those 3 positions as mentioned the friggin a/c motor clicks on and off....on and off thus making the engine rev a lil then taper off...rev a lil then taper off. You know what im sayin?

Is there a way I can just pull the plug on the a/c motor so it won't be able to click on at all? This is something I would REALLY like to know cause if I can just pull the power plug on it that might do the trick and get me through this upcoming winter....lol.

Again thanks for any info.

What I mean by DEFROST is the position that goes on your FRONT windshield. This position will turn the A/C compressor on. This is how all vehicles work. Obviously it should not turn on when you switch it to the floor (unless you have a position that shows both floor and windshield - this will also turn the a/c compressor on. It sounds like there is a problem with the control head if the a/c comes on when you have it on the floor position. You could disconnect the A/C compressor either by pulling the fues or unplugging it at the compressor itself (if you do this make sure you tie off the wire so it does not get damaged).
I can not remember but it may be possible to adjust the cables to the control head. I am not sure about this on that vehicle, maybe there is a Ford guy that knows....

I think you may be getting the positions mixed up. You should have Off, Max A/C, Norm A/C, Vent, Floor, Mix and Defrost. In all positions except the Vent and Off settings, the A/C compressor should engage according to the factory service manual. Actually, one diagram in the manual would suggest the A/C clutch could engage in the Vent position as well.

-Rod

I think you may be getting the positions mixed up. You should have Off, Max A/C, Norm A/C, Vent, Floor, Mix and Defrost. In all positions except the Vent and Off settings, the A/C compressor should engage according to the factory service manual. Actually, one diagram in the manual would suggest the A/C clutch could engage in the Vent position as well.

-Rod

Yes you are correct about the settings, but when I put the heat in the vent position all is fine, BUT in either the windshield(defrost), mix or floor settings the ac clutch clicks on and off constantly. Clicks on then a few seconds later clicks off and it will continue to do so the whole time the heat is in those positions.

I've been told I can just try and pull the ac fuse and that should do the trick for now, but I have no idea where the fuse is located in my 92 taurus.

I don't have the owners manual and I can't buy the book for the car till next friday so any input on where the fuse is located would be great:)

Thanks.

The A/C compressor when it is running does cycle on and off, that is normal operation and how all compressors work. If it is cycling to often (lets say every 5 seconds or less) then your freon level may be to low. How often it cycles is determined by a lot of outside factors such as outside tempature, engine speed ect. You can disconnect the a/c but of course if you do want to use it eventually it will stop working all together because if the freon is low you probably have a leak...Otherwise disconnecting it will have no ill effects..Hope that helps finish your queastion. :smooch:


Oh and the fuse panel should be to the left of the steering column, and is hung from the instrument panel. There should be a diagram on the cover but I believe the fuse is in slot 17 -- Should be a 15 amp fuse. From what I can see it may also feed power to the blend door actuator so if you want vent only then position you vents first then disconnect the fuse.

The A/C compressor when it is running does cycle on and off, that is normal operation and how all compressors work. If it is cycling to often (lets say every 5 seconds or less) then your freon level may be to low. How often it cycles is determined by a lot of outside factors such as outside tempature, engine speed ect. You can disconnect the a/c but of course if you do want to use it eventually it will stop working all together because if the freon is low you probably have a leak...Otherwise disconnecting it will have no ill effects..Hope that helps finish your queastion. :smooch:


Oh and the fuse panel should be to the left of the steering column, and is hung from the instrument panel. There should be a diagram on the cover but I believe the fuse is in slot 17 -- Should be a 15 amp fuse. From what I can see it may also feed power to the blend door actuator so if you want vent only then position you vents first then disconnect the fuse.

Ha ha I pulled that fuse in slot 17 and then tried the heat in the dash(defrost), mix and floor settings and the ac clutch don't click on an off anymore...lol

So problem solved, but just for piece of mind is there a chance pulling that fuse for the ac will do any harm? Like will my engine overheat or something?

Sorry for asking so many questions I just don't know a whole lot about engines.:loser:

No as far as what I could see it only runs the compressor and the blend door actuator. You should be fine. Just remember that when you do try to us the a/c again it may not work if you do have a leak in the system.....:iceslolan