1998 Ford Ranger Air Conditioner
Asked by GuruW3HNY Jun 01, 2018 at 03:18 PM about the 1998 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab Stepside SB
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Our air conditioner is flakey. When we first turn it on it is cold.After driving for a while it turns warm to hot, but if we drive at a higher RPM it gets colder again. Before we replace the whole thing. Could you tell me what I should do?
5 Answers
Have the operating pressures checked. The refrigerant level may be low. Replacing the entire system would cost more than the truck is worth.
firebird338 answered 6 years ago
Can not remember if that year has a expansion valve or high side inline filter but it sounds like the valve is bad or inline filter is clogged.
KevinMooreHVAC answered 6 years ago
Your system may be undercharged. With a proper charge High side pressure should read around 200-225psi* and low side should read around 35- 50psi* (*pressure range differs with outdoor temp.). By the way dont take pressure readings using the pieceofshit gauge off a diy recharge kit or a/c pro, those things never work. 》Too low of a charge can cause these symptoms.. Just enough refrigerant to cool for a moment and then blows hot cuz theres not enough to keep it cold. 》If this is the case use the r134a cans that dont have the extra stuff in them like leak sealer and oil, cuz if you do and your system doesnt need that then it will clog your expansion valve. Also if you dont feel confident in charging it yourself then definetely have a certified tech do it. }}OR since it initially blows cold air after starting the car and blows warmer then hot until moving faster or raising the rpm then that can indicate an overcharge of refrigerant. 》When a system is a little overcharged it will blow cold air until it runs for a few and the pressures rise... Then the pressure will be too high and trip the high pressure safety switch, cutting the voltage to the compressor's clutch but the blower fan will stay on and blow warmer and eventually hot until the pressure drops enough to kick in again..... When you move at a higher speed the airflow will cool the lines and drop pressure and then the compressor kicks on again and will cool then repeat the same things. ~~~~These are more common problems and can be easily fixed.. DEFINITELY a lot cheaper than paying upwards of $1000 to replace the system. ***if these suggestions dont work then there are a couple other things that could be suspect
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