|
|
1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
|
|
| |
|
|
ml41422
New User
Jun 5, 2008, 4:38 PM
Post #1 of 11
(2237 views)
|
|
1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
I Have A 1999 Escort Wagon. A/C Compressor Is intermittently (and Incorrectly) Turning On When Heating-A/C Control dial Is Set On non-a/c settings like Defrost Or Regular Floor/panel Blower Settings. A/C Runs Fine When I Turn The Dial To The A/C Settings. I Can Hear A Clicking Sound, Like A Switch Is Opening/closing, When Turned To Defrost Or Other Non-A/C Settings On The Dial. Is There A Relay Or Switch Or Sensor That Might Be Malfunctioning And Causing The A/C Compressor To Turn On Even When The Control Panel's Dial Is Not Set To A/C postion?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 5, 2008, 11:29 PM
Post #2 of 11
(2231 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
Not sure of the design intent for every car. Does this one have a button to enable A/C at all? It could be a button with an image of a snowflake or something like that. If so it could kick on compressor on several choices especially any that use panel or defrost ducts,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 6, 2008, 5:26 AM
Post #3 of 11
(2228 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
i am familiar with such a button from other vehicles but this one does not have it. Seems the dial is supposed to control the a/c.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 6, 2008, 5:56 AM
Post #4 of 11
(2227 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
Is this something new happening to this car? Does it still have the owner's manual? It's possible it's supposed to do this with perhaps requesting "recirc" or "fresh" or do you have anything that says "econ" or "max" -- Sorry I just don't know your dash control head features.
Unless someone here knows what the design is and that it's NOT supposed to do this then the suspect list would be........
1. Control head - you don't want to know the cost of that
2. Relay stuck on - would have to be a second relay in system or you'd be finding the battery dead all the time.
I'll see if I can find a relay and location to try as that would usually be cheap and easy to just replace. Some relays that fail will test fine so tossing suspect ones is my only suggestion for those,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 6, 2008, 6:12 AM
Post #5 of 11
(2226 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
Relay - A/C Compressor Control Gp-Sorensen / Relay - A/C Compressor Control  for a 1999 Ford Escort 
Related Parts  A/C Switch - Pressure Cut Out  A/C Compressor w/Clutch About this product: Part Number: MR76 Weight: 0.08 lbs.  Pricing: $9.99  Availability: Store: Normally stocked at your local store. Online: Ships within 2 business days Store:   Online: 
Ok: That relay is usually marked and in an underhood box and may be the exact same relay for other items. If like some other Ford products this relay is faily common to fail but usually not to stick on but rather clicks but doesn't let power thru.
I carry these with me as the fuel pump on some models uses this same one. Some will snap to work properly by whacking them - not a fix but when that changes them they are deemed bad.
For years I've been telling folks stuck (fuel pump or ign relay) to pull the A/C one to use to get home but I don't want you to swap this with any other but rather for the $9.99 try a new one and keep it anyway or the old one if no change. They used to only cost about $6.00 from Ford dealers not that long ago!
Being an Escort is causing ME a problem as I don't know what a 99 model is. Ford and Mazda were kissing cousins with these cars for a while and I don't know who designed what for this one.
I would try replacing that - mark it BROKEN if that solves the problem or destroy it. If no change keep it,
T
Above pic and data from AutoZone
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 6, 2008, 8:16 AM
Post #6 of 11
(2220 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
thanks for the info. I'll try a new relay IF i can find the control box in the cramped engine compartment. Not used to working on these small vehicles!
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 6, 2008, 9:25 AM
Post #7 of 11
(2216 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
I went back after I posted that and now not sure what they do the 1999 model year. It might not be the relay shown on post above but just a fuse which either works or not. That was AutoZone's site and it did have lots of info for this car such as "repair guides" which aren't always released for free and they aren't always correct either unless you pay for the pro editions which I don't have.
I'd like to know if somehow that's normal for those cars. I have a 97 GM truck that clicks on compressor when A/C is off too and nothing is wrong with it at all and that one has the A/C button?? I have a habit of leaving selection on "floor" and just let air in heated or not most of the year with window open so I hear it. Can't hear it with windows closed.
The idea of that is to allow the compressor to run now and then whether needed or not to let oil flow and keep it working even in off season - a long off season here! At certain temps that can assist with reducing humidity but when cold enough compressor can't be engaged by pressures in system not allowing it as it would choke on liquid refrigerant if it did........
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 6, 2008, 10:28 AM
Post #8 of 11
(2212 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
thanks for the additional info. The escort is new to me, thus my questions. I live in MN so I can relate to the short cooling season. None-the-less, I would like the a/c to function properly for the few days when I need it and maybe more importantly, for the a/c compressor not to run when I have the heater turned on and set to warmest position (which it is doing).
That said, the logic of the "system" automatically running the compressor every so-often makes sense but it seems odd to me that it runs as regularly as 5 seconds on, then 5 seconds off (literally - I timed it), repeating that 5 sec cycle continuously when the dashboard control dial is set at the non-air combo floor/upper vent position. If set to non-a/c upper vent only position, the compressor never turns on. If set to Max a/c postion it clicks off and on at 5 sec intervals but if set a reg a/c position the compressor tunrs on and stays on, blowing cold air as you would expect. Seems like a malfunction somewhere?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 6, 2008, 2:47 PM
Post #9 of 11
(2203 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
Ok: Sounds like that was the intended action and it's annoying. I've had those do that too much and hated it so would unplug the damn compressor and just remember to let it run about once a month which is plenty.
The idea of taking out humidity is failed and I've seen owner's manuals say that's why it does come on but that's bull because what you are hearing is the compressor has dangerously low pressure - either because it's too cold (pressure in A/C drops with the ambient temp) or because it's done it's job cooling you and must shut down or liquid instead of gas (vapor) can return to be compressed and that will - not a maybe - will lock up a compressor like it seized - not good! There's a low pressure switch to prevent that and it's stupid - it just knows pressure, not what you want.
Seems as though you just prefer settings that probably most people wouldn't use as often so you notice it more. That or the compressor is just too noisy - pay attention to that as most aren't that noisy and that needed attention if so. Just the "click" is almost unavoidable yet some old Taurus/Sables, Tempos and others used a clutch that was rubber mounted so the click was less noticeable and with those the rubber would fail and you were walking. Who said Ford had a better idea anyway? I'm just kidding as I like Ford as much as any junk out there.
If you want to disable it for just one month at a time I'll suggest unplugging the low pressure cut out switch which I think is on the accumulator and just make sure it's out of harms way and remember to put it back on now and then thru the Winter/off season.
You might think it could never be hot enough for MN or MA for that matter for months anyway but it does catch engine heat when you park and run into a store and will click on even when temps are very cold it get some excercisize but not for long but enough to maintain it.
Truth is it's a waste of gas (marginal) also but that isn't considered so much when designed and the frequent cycling will wear the clutch early which is ok as it can be adjusted but wouldn't need that ever if they didn't do this. It's a rock and a hard place because it really does preserve the compressor too but it's overkill.
______________
Somewhat off the topic: MN like MA and other well known cold states for much of the year folks don't do well when the heat does come and it's really important for many folks who's blood isn't used to it. #1 fatal weather event that wasn't a hurricane/tornado/flood type thing was the heat wave of 1996 (I think) in Chicago, Il where close to 1,000 people died from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
_____________
Hey - let me know what you want to do.......
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jun 8, 2008, 3:55 PM
Post #10 of 11
(2190 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
The noise doesn't bug me. But I don't want to using extra gas with the a/c running when it should not be running. Thanks.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 8, 2008, 5:11 PM
Post #11 of 11
(2187 views)
|
|
Re: 1999 escort lx a/c malfunction
|
Sign In
|
|
Hey - I don't blame you. Ok: I need to know if this car uses a LPCO (low pressure cut out switch) which would be a TWO wire spark plug looking thing on the low side of the system. Typical Ford would put it right on the accumulator but I just don't know it this is the expansion valve system or the one with an accumulator. If you would go look follow the larger diameter hosing (mix of rubber and metal sections) to a rounded tallish can probably painted black but could be aluminum. Just follow the larger line from compressor all the way to the firewall and something is in line there.
Ok: If it's just that type then unplugging that does the trick - it won't work unplugged period but power could be at one of the wires so I want it tied away from harm such that you can easily put it on an off as you wish.
If you wish to do something more fancy or easier you could just get an on/off in line switch for one wire.
I'm not a fan of cutting up wire for anything unless really needed so I'd just unplug the car's original switch. It will have a clip bail probably that will break off but should be fine without that. I would grease up the metal connections so the frequency of on and off doesn't wear on them. Simply chapstick is a decent clean grease if you want.
I don't want to go as far as unplugging it right at the compressor as if the connection gets tired of that it could mean a repair you could have avoided.
If there are more that two wires we have to think of something else. Don't mess with those as those tell computer things and we don't want that involved at all.
Let me know if it's got that switch and if you want to do that. If thing look different than I described let me know and I'll do some searching,
T
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
Howdy
