99 Explorer - No control of AC / Compressor

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RC - 22 Mar 2006 01:42 GMT

Either it's the age of the truck, or it has been designed this way.

Latley (and what seems to have been always) - the darn A/C compressor
is engaging when I do not want it to. This has been bothering me for
about 4 years, just finally fed up enough to post about it.

Anyhow - I have read the posts that Ford has designed the compressor to
come on, even when it is cold for the maintenance of seals or whatever.
I DO NOT CARE about seals - I personally hate dry air.

Does anyone have a simpler work-around other than putting a switch
inline with the compressor coil? I tore apart my dash and extracted
the climate control panel and will see if I can figure something out
(like do NOT engage the compressor unless I want to).

Thanks for any info you can share

-Cold Feet

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Jim Warman - 22 Mar 2006 02:51 GMT

While you may hate dry air, the simple fact is that the AC cycles to reduce
or prevent windshield fogging. While you may dislike dry air and while you
may not care about "exercising" the system, your vision will be the better
for it.

Unplug the compressor, unplug the low pressure cut off switch, remove the
fuse, evacuate the system or simply avoid adjusting the heater so that it
blows air against glass...... If you keep the control on floor only, the AC
will not cycle.

FWIW, it isn't just Ford that does this...

> Either it's the age of the truck, or it has been designed this way.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> -Cold Feet

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RC - 22 Mar 2006 06:44 GMT

I should of stated, it is on the floor setting, and I still get the
compressor coming on!

I know it de-fogs the windshield, but in 7% humidity, I'm not concerned
about it de-fogging the window (and when the cabin gets hot enough, the
fog won't appear anyhow!)

It's still my car, and I want to be the one who selects when the AC
compressor comes on. It's beginning to seem like I have some sort of
mechanical problem. Where did that guy say I could bypass the
compressor clutch from inside the cabin?

-RC

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Snow - 23 Mar 2006 16:00 GMT

Are you using the defrost selection? this will turn on the compressor. if
you are using the mix settings this will also turn on the comp.

If you really want to shut the comp off then unplug the lower pressure
switch on the side of the comp (maybe located on the reservoir too, not
sure..)

Snow..."looking at buying an Explore"

> Either it's the age of the truck, or it has been designed this way.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> -Cold Feet

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Alan Moorman@visi.com - 25 Mar 2006 05:46 GMT

>Either it's the age of the truck, or it has been designed this way.
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>-Cold Feet

The only HVAC modes which do NOT enable the compressor are:

FLOOR ONLY
OFF
VENT

In all the other modes the compressor will run, and you control the
temperature with the temperature knob.

If it isn't functioning this way, then you have a problem.
If it is functioning this way, it is working as designed.

If you don't like the way it is designed, then others may be able to
tell you how to disable the compressor. I imagine a switch and some
wire could handle it. But then, I'm simple, that way.

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sf/gf - 25 Mar 2006 06:45 GMT

Like Warman said, just unplug the wiring at the compressor if you do not
want it to operate. However, the seals will at some point dry out and you
will lose refrigerant. If it were me, I would just keep the selector switch
in the off position most of the time and maybe only run the compressor every
few weeks for a few minutes to keep the seals from drying out. (a further
reading of your post indicates that the compressor is running even if the
selector switch is in the off position). Therefore, something is wrong, but
disconnecting the wiring or removing the applicable fuse should keep the
compressor from operating. No need for wiring an in-line switch.
SF

>>Either it's the age of the truck, or it has been designed this way.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> tell you how to disable the compressor. I imagine a switch and some
> wire could handle it. But then, I'm simple, that way.

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