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A/C Trouble shooting


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Boyd
Anonymous Poster
boyd1@comcast.net

Jun 1, 2008, 12:38 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1905 views)
A/C Trouble shooting Sign In

I have a 2003 Town Car. On the first warm day (after winter) I noticed it took about 5 minutes for the cold air to start blowing, then it works fine (lots of cold air). This problem continues every time (not once and a while) I turn the A/C on. Thank you/ Boyd.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 1, 2008, 3:30 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1899 views)
Re: A/C Trouble shooting Sign In

Might be an easy one - imagine that! Not sure exactly what configuration this compressor is but you may notice that the clutch's outer plate doesn't engage right away and you can just idle engine and look at the plate right after you have turned on the A/C and if it's still the most likely is that the air gap is too large for the electro-magnet coil to pull it in to engage but will after a while or a bump or whatever.

If it is still as I think it will be when NOT cooling and you've requested air then carefully give the plate a tap with all caution as it's probably going to snap to an engage - use wood, rubber or don't do it youself if worried about doing that.

Another is to just leave engine off, key on, air on without engine running and try that with no moving parts to deal with. If the trick works say so and let's see if you want to adjust that yourself - some are a cake walk some not.

One more if that's not being caught in front of you is to measure that air gap. Should be .020 or so - less is fine.

Use a standard biz card should fit in and be tight or no go when folded - cool test!

Important test with and when the compressor is working is that the accumulator will feel a bit cold or real cold but no frost seen anywhere. Accum is usually a painted black or alum colored rounded can thing on larger hose side of the two in the system. If that is warm when A/C is working hard you then really need to rush to get pressure taken as it could be low on refrigerant - common problem and it will save lots of trouble to fix that now.

Let me/us know what you find,

T



Boyd
Anonymous Poster
boyd67@comcast.net

Jun 4, 2008, 11:04 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1889 views)
Re: A/C Trouble shooting Sign In

Hi Tom,
You gave some excellent and logical advice.
This morning, I raised the hood after turning the A/C on and noticed the clutch plate would engage for 10 seconds and then disengage for ten seconds. I had the temp set on 60; however, the outside temp was 60 degrees so that could have affected it. The clutch closed briskly each time. The air out of the vents was quiet cold
I noticed the radiator was a little over a pint low and I refilled that. I know low radiator can cause the heater not to work properly but I don't know about A/C. As soon as my wife returns with the car and it is warmer out side, I will repeat all of this and let you know. Thank you again for your advice.Boyd
boyd67@comcast.net


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 4, 2008, 11:58 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1887 views)
Re: A/C Trouble shooting Sign In

Do watch the coolant level a lot now as it shouldn't be low at the radiator ever and if it was low there and not at the recovery tank that's an issue of it's own and just that little bit would have nothing to do with A/C at that little bit.

The cycling compressor is normal in certain conditions. It's when it does that and you notice the vent temp change because of it there's a problem with that.

Keep me/us posted. There are a couple of us here who they let out of the nut house now and then to help out.

Stay cool - or warm if your near me - still cold for another couple days,

T







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