Air CONDTIONING :(

so...it was hot out today and I put on my A/c

no cold air just mildly cool air.
When I turn it on it I can hear a relay or something kick in from under the hood, like a click. Then about 6-7 seconds later I hear it again, and that happens until I turn the blower off completely. I tested this with the heat on and got the same noise.

Is that noise normal, and if it is I guess I just need a recharge.

-Chris

Needs a recharge if the A/C compressor is switching on and off quickly.

The clicking noise you are hearing is probably the A/C compressor clutch engaging and then disengaging. This is referred to as "cycling." If the clutch is cycling quickly, the problem is likely either due to a low refridgerant charge or an overcharge condition. There is a chance that the clutch field coil is faulty and dropping out, but that is not too likely.

Does your Explorer use R-12 or R-134a refridgerant? R-134a is pretty easy to come by, R-12 is considerably more difficult and more expensive to find. It requires a license to purchase legally as well. Of course, if your system is low on refridgerant, you have a leak somewhere that really should be repaired. It is not normal for a system to need periodic recharge.

When you heard this noise with the heat, did you have an "A/C" button pressed down or were you on the defrost mode? The compressor should not be kicking in for Vent, but should on A/C or Defrost.

-Rod

The clicking noise you are hearing is probably the A/C compressor clutch engaging and then disengaging. This is referred to as "cycling." If the clutch is cycling quickly, the problem is likely either due to a low refridgerant charge or an overcharge condition. There is a chance that the clutch field coil is faulty and dropping out, but that is not too likely.

Does your Explorer use R-12 or R-134a refridgerant? R-134a is pretty easy to come by, R-12 is considerably more difficult and more expensive to find. It requires a license to purchase legally as well. Of course, if your system is low on refridgerant, you have a leak somewhere that really should be repaired. It is not normal for a system to need periodic recharge.

When you heard this noise with the heat, did you have an "A/C" button pressed down or were you on the defrost mode? The compressor should not be kicking in for Vent, but should on A/C or Defrost.

-Rod


Rod-

on the explorer as im sure you know. The nob's up position is off. Towards the left is the floor, then A/c, then MAX A/C. From off to the right you have dash and floor blower, then dash only, then defrost. I usually put the blower to dash and floor when the heat is on and it makes that noise, HOWEVER....if while its on that I turn the thermostat from red to blue, it comes out just as ice cold as if i had it on A/c. (when it was working.)

hope that maybe helps you help me. If you have any other questions please ask..
-Chris

You're giving me too much credit. My Mountaineer has the electronic climate control, so I'm not familiar with the manual controls.

What year is your Explorer? I may have a service manual for it that would show the modes of the HVAC system and when which one should activate the compressor.

Also, are you familiar with which pulley under the hood is for the A/C compressor? If so, open the hood with the Explorer running with the dash/floor selection and see if the clutch is cycling at the 6-7 seconds rate corresponding to the noise you are hearing. If so, time to check the pressures on your system.

If your Explorer was sold in the US in 1994 or later, it will have the R-134a refridgerant. If prior to then, it likely has an R-12 system unless it has been modified.

-Rod