'98 A/C clutch not engaging

[jer1303]

The clutch on our Windstar has not been engaging this year. I've measured voltage at the clutch connector when the a/c is "on", so can I 'safely' assume that the clutch coil is fried? I'm consdering installing a remfd compressor/coil at this time.

Thanks.

[tomj76]

Did you check that the low pressure saftey switch is OK and that there is sufficient refrigerant? If I remember the circuit correctly, there would be 12 v present on the clutch coil at all times, but the switches engages it by connecting one side to ground. If you have 12 volts on both wires to the clutch, then the problem could be elsewhere.

[jer1303]

I double checked my findings today and here's what I came up with:

Refrigerant is good. ~95psi on a 90 degree day. Maybe even a little on the high side.

I have 12v (actually 13.5) at the clutch coil connector - but only with a/c selected. With just the vent fan there is no power to the coil. Only one side is hot.

I can short out the low pressure switch and the cooling fans come on - but no clutch engagement. So the switch seems to be okay.

At this point I think I'm going to order the new compressor/clutch and have the system vaccumed. Wish me luck as this is my first A/C repair.

If I seem to have missed anything, let me know