[Kemper100]

I have 2003 Ford Escape and the AC was working last cooling season and now nothing.

It doesn't looking the compressor clutch isn't engaging.

What could cause this?

:glasses: :glasses: :glasses:

 

[Old Thomas]

It doesn’t look like the compressor isn’t engaging means the compressor is engaging. Is that correct?

 

[surferdude2]

When the freon leaks out, the low pressue protection switch opens the clutch circuit and it will no longer engage. You will need to locate and repair the leak and evacuate and recharge the system.

 

[Old Thomas]

Still not sure if the compressor runs or not.

 

[raylo32]

You can briefly jump the relay to see if the compressor clutch engages. If so, then as surfer says it it likely that the refrigerant is too low to set the low pressure cutout switch.

 

[Kemper100]

Still not sure if the compressor runs or not.

Sorry, the compressor is NOT engaging.

I saw the mistake but I could find an edit button if there is one.

:glasses: :glasses: :glasses:

 

[raylo32]

Then as noted above: most likely low refrigerant. Could also be bad relay, bad compressor clutch, bad low and or high pressure switches, bad control switch on dashboard, bad wire... etc. But the $ is on low refrigerant. Put some gauges on it and see what you got.

Sorry, the compressor is NOT engaging.

I saw the mistake but I could find an edit button if there is one.

:glasses: :glasses: :glasses:

 

[lenaitch]

I had a late '90s Ranger and the a/c never survived a winter season for the five years I owned it. Ford was really good about it every year even after warrantee.
Agree that it sounds like no/low coolant.

 

[Kemper100]

Then as noted above: most likely low refrigerant. Could also be bad relay, bad compressor clutch, bad low and or high pressure switches, bad control switch on dashboard, bad wire... etc. But the $ is on low refrigerant. Put some gauges on it and see what you got.

Thanks.............I'll give that a try......the AC in this thing was like a freezer last year.

 

[raylo32]

The LP switch should be set to shut off at about 25psi. So if you have lost enough refrigerant such that the static pressure is below that the compressor will not turn on. You only need to check the low side but you can hook up both gauges and they should read the same. BTW, pressure that low means you have essentially lost all of your refrigerant and have a big leak. You can look at the R-134a chart and for a saturated system (one that still has some liquid in it) at 80 degrees F ambient temp the pressure will be about 85 psi.

Thanks.............I'll give that a try......the AC in this thing was like a freezer last year.