Help! AC not working

[crabjoe]

I've got a '01 Expedition with the 5.4 and the AC is not working. The SUV had been parked for 2+ years, before I put it back on the road last fall. I also don't know when the last time it was working because before it was parked, I was only driving it about once a month and I almost always drove with the windows down. I do know 3+ years ago, the AC was working just fine.

At this time, I'm not sure where to even look. I figure the 1st thing I need to look at is a possible fuse being blown, but I don't even know which ones to check. Can anyone point me to the correct fuses?

If it's not a fuse, I figure I need to check the compressor. Right now, I don't hear any clicking when I turn the AC on, but that could be a fuse. Assuming it's the AC compressor, I hear, it will not engage is the freon level is low....

Let's say the compressor is fine, and it's a freon problem. If it's just freon, where can I get a cheap guage to check the pressure, Walmart, Autozone, etc? Does it use R134a? Can anyone tell me where the low and high valves are so I can check the pressure?

Sorry for all the questions, but I need to get this fix... I don't have the cash to have a shop do it and I've got a 5 month old, I have to haul around now; making having no AC not an option.

Thanks!!

 

[ELVATO]

You can get the gauge (with a can of freon) from Walmart, Advance, Autozone, etc. Ask around, my roommate was able to get the can and gauge on a summer special for the price of just the liquid at Advance.

Do you not have the manual? There is a link in one of the stickies to the pdf versions of the manuals. Check in the fuses area.

If you search around, you'll find pictures of the location of the low pressure ports. The gauge you get (unless it's one of the really expensive ones) will only fit the low side. I think I've posted on what the pressure should be for some of the different models. Search through my posts.

 

[crabjoe]

You can get the gauge (with a can of freon) from Walmart, Advance, Autozone, etc. Ask around, my roommate was able to get the can and gauge on a summer special for the price of just the liquid at Advance.

Do you not have the manual? There is a link in one of the stickies to the pdf versions of the manuals. Check in the fuses area.

If you search around, you'll find pictures of the location of the low pressure ports. The gauge you get (unless it's one of the really expensive ones) will only fit the low side. I think I've posted on what the pressure should be for some of the different models. Search through my posts.

Ok.. I got a can of EZ Chill from Advance with the gauge. It was showing below 15 on the low side and with the motor running, AC on, I put got the gauge up to 40lbs. Compressor still wouldn't kick in, so I shut the motor off, let it sit for 3 mins then restarted. This time, the compress kicks in, but it's cycling really quick. Air is still warm so I'm guessing that it's because the R134a is still to low and it's causing the quick cycling.

With that in mine, do you know what the low side pressure should be with the motor off? When the compressor does cycle, the low pressure jump from 17 to 40. With the motor off, it's sitting at 50.

Thanks!

 

[ELVATO]

The ambient temp affects how much pressure there should be in the system.

This thread deals with a 2003, though I'd imagine the principle should still apply:http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=6056

It does sound like you were low on refrigerant, though, since the compressor is starting to work again. I hope you don't have a leak in the system.