Problem with 97 Explorer A/C?

Question

Hi all, I am having a problem with my 97 Explorer's air conditioning. I have spent close to $1000 on it over the last year but I think I was ripped off by the shop. They put in a new condensor and a new evaporator, the compressor is good. So why does the air just stop all of a sudden when its running. It just starts to get regular air. If I shut the a/c off for a few minutes it sometimes comes back on and works fine, but this is happening too often and I live in florida and you have to have air. Also sometime the air just runs on regular a/c not on the max setting. The max setting alot of the time doesn't even work correctly. Any ideas? Thanks alot, John

Answer 1

The one problem with Explorers in that year range is for the temperature blend door to break. This is a fairly common problem on these vehicles. The usual symptoms for this problem, is a 'hit and miss' when hot or cold air is selected. Sometimes the selected temperature will work. And other times it won't. I don't want to scare you, but to fix this problem requires instrument panel removal, and replacement of the entire heater box assembly (Ford Base Part Number 18471). Just take it in, and request specifically to have the temperature blend door actuator operation verified. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The compressor on that truck is controlled by a low pressure cycling switch, located on the accumulator. The accumulator is a black can above the right front wheel under the hood, near the firewall. Look for a round switch screwed on to the top of it with a two wire connector on it. If I remember right, the wires are red with a yellow trace and pink. With the AC turned on in the car, unplug that switch and short the two terminals in the wire harness side with a paper clip. If the compressor turns on and stays on, you most likely need a cycling switch. The part is cheap, and just threads on. There is a valve behind it, so you will not have to empty or recharge the system. All you need is a 5/8" or 16mm wrench.

Answer 3

The norm and max settings don't have anything to do with the compressor. They just route the air differently. The max recirculates most of the air and sometimes speeds up the fan. The norm draws in fresh air. It's your air controls under the dash that are having trouble.

Answer 4

What you are experiencing sounds like a problem with over condensation. If there is an excess the condenser freezes up. Try not to run the fan at lower than maximun speed, it should make a difference, make sure that the little house that drains water and drops it on the floor is not plug up. When park with the AC running a lot of water should be dripping down on the road. If that water stays up there it freezes and clogs everything.

Answer 5

First fill a gallon jug with water , get rid of radiator cap and fill radiator with water. next initiate your motor vehicle, then with the hood open go searching and notice in case you are able to tell if and the place the water is leaking. when you have pointed out the source of the leak if any verify the area. Your difficulty is additionally a unfastened radiator cap. whether that is from a hose look at it for why that is leaking. Tighten hose clamps if mandatory or purchase new hose if leaking through fact of puncture or dry-rot. straightforward radiator hose selection from $5-$35 whether that is larger difficulty, which in many circumstances if antifreeze leak isn't through fact of a hose try a bottle of radiator provide up leak, accessible at any components shops and a variety of of different grocery or convenience shops. often $5-$15. If neither of those measures resolve your difficulty then I recommend taking your motor vehicle to a mechanic, your motor vehicle might have something from a corrosion hollow on your radiator to a blown head or intake manifold gasket or worse. then you definately might spend often any the place from $one hundred to upwards of $a million,two hundred staring on the severity of the difficulty. additionally while you're seeing sparkling liquid and you have had your AC on then tat is maximum probable merely water condensation from the exterior of your condensing unit.