Granted this is for my LSC, but I'm guessing the system is identical for a T-bird/Cougar with EATC. The A/C ices up regularly on long trips. I was told there was a switch to shut down the system periodically to avoid this, and that mine had probably failed. The only thing I have for picture reference is my Haynes T-bird manual, and it does not show a picture of this switch. Can any of you tell or show me where this is? If so, hopefully I can pull the same switch off either of my '88s in time for this trip.
I'm not familiar with EATC. I believe it is basically the same as manual AC, but uses temp sensors and whatnot to operate the blend doors. If such is the case, your cycling switch has gone bad (or you're low on refrigerant...but you'd probably notice poor temps and short cycling if that was the case).
A cycling switch runs ~$20 and is located on your accumulator. The accumulator is located on the upper passenger side of the firewall. You can swap switches between any Fox, they're all the same.
-------------------------[SIZE="4"]Switch[/SIZE]
(http://www.rockauto.com/ref/Motorcraft/YH513.jpg)
So it IS that switch screwed into the top of the accumulator? I thought that was a pressure sensor or something.
I tried pulling the one off the '88 LSC, but it started hissing so I decided to screw it back in before I lost what little pressure was left in that system. Can I pull it off the '89 and replace it without losing too much refridgerant?
The air is pretty cold coming out of the vents, it just feels a bit weak even after replacing the blower motor.. so I'm thinking it's the resistor holding back the system. Last time I hooked a cheapo $10 recharge can to the system, it had decent pressure in it.. around 40 PSI, I think. (don't hold me to that, it's been awhile since I did it last and I don't remember)
I really need to do a complete re-working of my A/C system at some point.. do a proper 134a conversion and not this hack-job version. VOV, SN95 condenser, etc.
So it IS that switch screwed into the top of the accumulator? I thought that was a pressure sensor or something.
I tried pulling the one off the '88 LSC, but it started hissing so I decided to screw it back in before I lost what little pressure was left in that system. Can I pull it off the '89 and replace it without losing too much refridgerant?
The air is pretty cold coming out of the vents, it just feels a bit weak even after replacing the blower motor.. so I'm thinking it's the resistor holding back the system. Last time I hooked a cheapo $10 recharge can to the system, it had decent pressure in it.. around 40 PSI, I think. (don't hold me to that, it's been awhile since I did it last and I don't remember)
I really need to do a complete re-working of my A/C system at some point.. do a proper 134a conversion and not this hack-job version. VOV, SN95 condenser, etc.
It is. It opens at about 26 psi and close around 45 psi. If the switch fails closed the pressure (and thus the temperature) of the system will fall below freezing and allow the condenser to freeze up.
Yes. As you unscrew it, you'll hear some hissing as you break the o-ring seal and the schrader valve is still open. Once the schrader valve closes...it'll quit losing refrigerant.
I swapped them out from the '88 to the '89. Looks like the '88 had a replacement switch on it, because it was a different looking switch. The contacts weren't surrounded by a plastic sheath that the plug went into. But it fit properly, and we'll see how it holds up over the trip. Kept the old one in the glovebox in case I should need to swap back for whatever reason.