Air Conditioner '95 XLT

The airconditioner on my XLT just isn't giving very much cold air. The
compressor goes on for about 2 seconds, then goes off, and then a few
seconds later goes on again for about 2 seconds. What could the problem be?
I just had the belt tensioner replaced -- could that have caused this
problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Fast cycling is typically a sign of low refrigerant charge. Not surprising
in a 14 year old vehicle, but please don't be tempted to just dump a can
into it. It can be dangerous. Have it checked by a pro, and if there is a
leak, repaired first.

"Jacob" > wrote in message
...
> The airconditioner on my XLT just isn't giving very much cold air. The
> compressor goes on for about 2 seconds, then goes off, and > then a few
> seconds later goes on again for about 2 seconds. What could the problem
> be?

"Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
...

> It's low on Freon most likely.
> ...

Hopefully, in a '95 vehicle it's not Freon, but R134a.

As for my comment about danger. Well, we don't know for sure that it's low,
and adding to a fully charged system is not a good idea, to say the least. I
would certainly confirm with a manifold gauge first. The OP didn't appear to
have any, or he would have reported the pressure readings. And then there is
always the risk of hooking the can to the high side port by someone who does
not understand the system. Fairly low because it normally won't fit there,
but who knows what has been done to that system before, and the consequences
could be dire. Make double sure that it's the low side port if you are going
to attempt a recharge.

Thank you for your help. If I buy the kit, is it complicated to do this? I
don't really have tools, but would they come with the kit? If it is a leak,
how much would it cost to have a professional take care of it? Also, it
doesn't use freon, but uses something else instead. Thanks.

"Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 8 May 2007 22:08:43 -0500, "Jacob" > wrote:
>
>>The airconditioner on my XLT just isn't giving very much cold air. The
>>compressor goes on for about 2 seconds, then goes off, and then a few
>>seconds later goes on again for about 2 seconds. What could the problem
>>be?
>>I just had the belt tensioner replaced -- could that have caused this
>>problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
>>
>
> It's low on Freon most likely. Not surprising for it's age. If it was
> mine and if there were no obvious leaks (look for lots of dirty oil
> film on the AC lines and connections) I'd buy a recharge kit at
> Walmart and put it in it. If it has a significant leak it will start
> acting up again in a month or two if not sooner and then you can take
> it to a repair place. Or you can take it to a repair place now but if
> they find even the tiniest of leaks they will probably tell you (even
> though it's not true) that you have to fix the leak for big bucks. As
> I said, I'd risk the lost of my investment in the $35 recharge kit
> first.

Yes, the '95 uses R134a

Dave

"Happy Traveler" > wrote in message
. ..
> "Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> It's low on Freon most likely.
>> ...
>
> Hopefully, in a '95 vehicle it's not Freon, but R134a.
>
> As for my comment about danger. Well, we don't know for sure that it's
> low, and adding to a fully charged system is not a good idea, to say the
> least. I would certainly confirm with a manifold gauge first. The OP
> didn't appear to have any, or he would have reported the pressure
> readings. And then there is always the risk of hooking the can to the high
> side port by someone who does not understand the system. Fairly low
> because it normally won't fit there, but who knows what has been done to
> that system before, and the consequences could be dire. Make double sure
> that it's the low side port if you are going to attempt a recharge.
>
>
>

Jacob wrote:
> Thank you for your help. If I buy the kit, is it complicated to do this? I
> don't really have tools, but would they come with the kit? If it is a leak,
> how much would it cost to have a professional take care of it? Also, it
> doesn't use freon, but uses something else instead. Thanks.

No extra tools needed. I just recharged an '01 Escort, and did a '97
Explorer a couple years ago. It's the easiest job ever.

The complete *kit* includes a pressure gauge and simple instructions.
Keep that gauge, and the hose, and everything else, so you'll only need
to buy a cheaper refill can next time.

I recently saw what looked like a refill kit with a gauge built onto the
top of the can, for (I think) about the same cost as the kits with
separate components... a waste of money if you end up tossing the gauge
in the trash.

If I recall, low pressure A/C fittings have smooth domed caps on them,
high pressure fittings have hex shaped caps. You might have to look
around to find them. The Escort has them located at opposite corners of
the engine bay.



--
Make friends with a few animals. Then you will become a cheerful man
once more and nothing will be able to trouble you. -- Albert Einstein

"Jacob" > wrote in message
...
> Thank you for your help. If I buy the kit, is it complicated to do this?
I
> don't really have tools, but would they come with the kit? If it is a
leak,
> how much would it cost to have a professional take care of it? Also, it
> doesn't use freon, but uses something else instead. Thanks.

The kit I bought came with refrigerent that contained stop-leak. It also
came with plenty of instructions and even a DVD instruction video. I found
that if you smear a tiny bit of Vaselline on the top of the can before
attaching the hose it seals better and the next time you need to add
refrigerant it might still have some in the can.

On second thought that may have been the old R12 cans... the new stuff I
think is threaded on the can.

>
> "Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Tue, 8 May 2007 22:08:43 -0500, "Jacob" > wrote:
> >
> >>The airconditioner on my XLT just isn't giving very much cold air. The
> >>compressor goes on for about 2 seconds, then goes off, and then a few
> >>seconds later goes on again for about 2 seconds. What could the problem
> >>be?
> >>I just had the belt tensioner replaced -- could that have caused this
> >>problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
> >>
> >
> > It's low on Freon most likely. Not surprising for it's age. If it was
> > mine and if there were no obvious leaks (look for lots of dirty oil
> > film on the AC lines and connections) I'd buy a recharge kit at
> > Walmart and put it in it. If it has a significant leak it will start
> > acting up again in a month or two if not sooner and then you can take
> > it to a repair place. Or you can take it to a repair place now but if
> > they find even the tiniest of leaks they will probably tell you (even
> > though it's not true) that you have to fix the leak for big bucks. As
> > I said, I'd risk the lost of my investment in the $35 recharge kit
> > first.
>
>