2000 SEL: AC clutch not engaging when hot

[hhu168]

Thanks for the suggestion. I lowered the subframe as far as I could -- about 2 inches -- but it's still not enough. Tomorrow I am going to unbolt the compressor and reposition it for better accessibilty.

[tripletdaddy]

I just came across the PM you sent me. Between AF database problems and my faulty web browsers, I haven't been getting any emails from them as before.

Looking at the posts, I think you should by now have gotten my last post that your PM indicated was missing. Where you able to do anything with the compressor? Just recently I worked on a friends Taurus that involved removing the clutch, coil and pulley. I was able to loosen the end bolt to the clutch plate with a 1/4" ratchet and 8mm or 5/16" socket. The clutch plate should slide right off no problem for setting the correct air gap with the tiny spacers (washers).

[hhu168]

Thank you for the reply.

This appears to be a case that there might have existed multiple problems.

I was able to loosen the end bolt and re-set the air gap back to spec -- I set it to about 0.018.

The AC still wouldn't work when it's extremely hot! Well, it may be a little better but the general symptom stayed the same.

I then checked the pressure and it's low on froen again, so it appeared there was a leak. I took it to a shop and they found leaks around the service ports. Had the ports changed and the AC recharged. That particular day was cool -- the high was in the middle 60's -- so I couldn't tell if the problem was fixed but the AC definitely blew much cooler than before.

The next day it was hotter and to my disappointment the AC problem came back. So I took the car back to the shop and they did more tests but could not find any problem. So the technician unconnected and cleaned the connections, and reconnect them back.

To my surprise, this appears to solve the problem and the AC has worked since (knock on wood)!

[shorod]

Originally Posted by hhu168

So the technician unconnected and cleaned the connections, and reconnect them back.

To my surprise, this appears to solve the problem and the AC has worked since (knock on wood)!

Maybe the contacts got spread a bit when you jumpered the pressure switch?

-Rod

[hhu168]

Originally Posted by shorod

Maybe the contacts got spread a bit when you jumpered the pressure switch?

-Rod

The technician said he believed the problem was with the AC clutch relay. He said the relay wasn't bad, but it might have a loose/intermittent connection on one of its legs.

[shorod]

If that turns out to be the fix, it sounds like you found a good, honest shop/technician!

-Rod