Hot Air from AC

[pryornfld]

I have a 1996 Windstar GL and I have a problem with the AC. When I turn it on, it will only blow out warm-mid hot air instead of cold air.Got any ideas??Wanted to get some info so I could possibly fix myself rather than sending into garage.

Thanks
D'

[DRW1000]

Is it the front A/C or rear?
Do you have Rear A/C?
I assume the temp is set to cold and the A/C button is pressed and the indicator lamp is illuminated. (assuming yours is the same as my 99)

Could be the blend door.

[junk4cash]

Just got my 97 back from the shop. I have not had air for 3-4 years since the first shop I went to, told me that it was a valve behind the dash that was blocked and it would be approx 700.00 to fix it. I rolled the windows down and never looked back. We'll I decided this summer to let my dealer check it out and sure enough, it was a capacitor that went bad. This part tells the compressor when to turn on and off. My final bill was around 250.00. That's much better than 700-800. Now it blows ice cold and I love my van again. Good luck.

[pryornfld]

It has only Front Ac, no Rear AC. As far as I can tell, it should be working. I have no indicators for it, just the air flow knob and the Min/Max AC knob.

[pryornfld]

Will check this out when I finish work today. I have my meter at home. Where is this capacitor located??

[pryornfld]

Me Again!! I was talking to a fellow worker and he had mentioned that it could be the Low Pressure AC Switch.He also said that it is common to replace them several times throughout the life of the van.What feedback do you have about this?

[ModMech]

He is correct. That would be the "capacitor" mentioned in an earlier post, it is more accurately described as a low pressure cut-off switch. It is there to prevent the compressor from running when there is not enough refridgerant in the system, which would quickly destroy the compressor.

If everything works ok, you can just purchase this switch and change it yourself, there is NO NEED to discharge the A/C to replace it. There is a small "schrader valve" where it screws in that seals the system off as you remove it.

You could also really have low charge, or even a blown fuse/disconnected A/C clutch coil. They would all result in the same symptoms.

[pryornfld]

What does this switch look like,and wher is it located w.r.t the compressor/valve?

[busboy4]

Hi, if the layout is similar to my 3.8L you will find the valve on the upper side of the receiver/dryer which is the "thermos" shaped cannister on the right strut tower in the engine compartment. The switch is sized and shaped about like a shotgun shell and has an electrical plug. Disconnect the plug, unscrew the switch (you will vent a small amount of freon). To install the new one, reverse the process and tighten hand tight.
Good luck

[pryornfld]

Hello busboy4,

I borrowed my buddies Haynes book and I cannot seem to find anything which is titled Low Pressure AC switch. Could there be another name for it? Also is there a way that I can determine if it is the switch or not?

Thanks for the info, hopefully I will get at it sometime this weekend.

Thanks
Pryornfld

[Mikebox]

If yours is like almost all accumulator type mobile a/cs built for the last 20 years, the low pressure cut out switch should have two leads to it, you can unplug the connector and jump the terminals, If the switch was limiting compressor operation, you should see and hear the compressor clutch close and the system should begin working. If the cause is really low refrigerant, the suction lines will not get cold and you will still not get any cold air. Best to diagnose with a manifold guage set to check for proper hi and low pressures if you find this to be the case.

[busboy4]

Hi Pryornfld

I was looking at my factory manual and it only shows the one setup I described, so I think the 3.0 and 3.8 have identical setups for the switch. It is easily identifiable on the receiver drier as I described it above. Ford calls it the A/C cycling switch. I also have a Haynes manual (36097) which calls it the compressor cycling switch. It is pictured in the Haynes manual under the receiver/drier removal/replacement process instructions.

[pryornfld]

Does the AC have to be discharged before the switch can be removed?

[ModMech]

Originally Posted by pryornfld

Does the AC have to be discharged before the switch can be removed?

As I suggested...

If everything works ok, you can just purchase this switch and change it yourself, there is NO NEED to discharge the A/C to replace it. There is a small "schrader valve" where it screws in that seals the system off as you remove it.

[pryornfld]

Thanks! I'll give it a go, and I'll get back to the success of the repair.

Later
Pryornfld