Ford 02 Explorer 4.0 xls AC problem (With Pictures!)?

Question

Hello.

My ac starts up but 3 seconds later stops. Then, 3 seconds after its stopped, a click under the hood can be heard, and the ac kicks in again, only to shut off in 3 seconds. Repeat.

I looked under the hood and found the source of the click. Please reference the image below. I took a couple of pictures.

There is this disk that when the ac starts, will begin to spin. Its the rusty color disk pointed out in the image. The air is cool when it spins. But went it stops with a click, the air stops its coolness.

Someone mentioned that i might be my thermostat. Does that sound right? What is this part? Solutions? Thank you!

http://a48.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/98/l_7b368cc89f3a0ef56bd1766e5f1b9d8f.jpg

Answer 1

That's normal when the refrigerant gets low. The low side pressure gets too low and the compressor cycles on and off. You can get a can of R-134 with a built in gauge and recharge it. If it needs recharging more than once a year, or it takes more than one can, you have a bad leak that needs to be fixed.

Answer 2

Sorry, but no picture required.
Step One: Make sure the system is fully charged. That usually fixes the condition you are having.
Step Two: Next test the AC clutch (the disk you describe). If it is functioning within specs then go to
Step Three: Replace the temperature sensor inside the car.

Answer 3

If your A/C is cycling quickly, it means you are low on freon. On this particular car, it is VERY common for the freon to leak out from the front-to-rear A/C line (Ford part number YF-3359, $110.02 from www.fordparts.com). This part usually leaks at the right/front corner of the line, just below where it junctions into the main A/C plumbing. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

LOL. THE "DISC" IS THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH. IF ITS NOT SPINNING THERE WILL BE NO COLD AIR. IF THE AIR IS NOT COLD, BUT MORE JUST LIGHTLY COOL. CLICKING IS THE CLUTCH ENGAGING/DISENGAGING.