A/C compressor and clutch questions June 01, 2008, 02:23:43 PM Hello!It got very hot here lately so it's time to think about A/C :)#1 I was wondering if it's possible to adjust the air gap in A/C compressor clutch? There was always a big gap in my T-bird and it's making annoying noise when engaging and disengaging.#2 Is it a big job to replace A/C compressor in my '87 T-bird (factory air)? I have a spare one in a spare engine and it has perfect clutch and correct gap.#3 My '85 Town Car has fully charged A/C system and it doesn't engage compressor. I tried to shorten terminals at the compressor and nothing happened. Is it a bad electromagnetic A/C clutch?Thanks in advance for help!Mariusz... Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #1 – June 02, 2008, 09:37:19 AM #1 t=yes there is a way to set the proper air gap on the A/c compressor. They normally do it with some washers placed/remmoved from behind the clutch piece that bolt onto the shaft.#2 To replace the compressor it is pretty straight forward. Drain the system, unhook the connections, unbolt the old and bolt in the new, hook the lines back up, have it vaced down to check for leaks. Then filler up with some refrigerant.#3 You shouldn't jumper the compressor connection, jumper the pressure switch"its on top of the accumulator" If it works then you might have a bad pressure switch. You could also have a plugged orifice tube that could keep the pressure from making it to the switch. Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #2 – June 02, 2008, 09:50:42 AM I had the same problem on my Bird... When I pulled the clutch it was worn so badly I figured there was no hope for it(it had been running lopsided from not fully engaging it was worn so badly), so I swapped one from another compressor... It isn't a big deal to swap the clutch assembly's or the electromagnetic coil... That is assuming you have an identical unit, Ford used a couple different compressors that look similar... If you have the shop manual, it outlines replacement procedure....To double check the Lincoln's coil, use a ohm meter to check the resistance... Should measure a ohm or two at most...Unless you have a way to evacuate the system, swap major components only if absolutely necessary... A few drops of moisture can cause all sorts of issues... Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #3 – June 03, 2008, 12:02:13 AM If moisture is your concern make sure you get some A/c Flush stuff. Unhook all lines and use compressed air to blow it through all parts. Then after all that you might as well replace all the O-rings and Garter springs just for good measure. Then don't forget those pesky little Valve cores. If you can replace the orifice tube."if you are going to R134a get the auto adjusting unit. it will make the R134a get colder in the R12 setup" it is the filter of the A/c system. Put everything back together. Then I use some Nitrogen to pressure test everything. Then Vacuum it all down to suck out any left over anything. Let the Vac run for at least 30min. Make sure it holds a good steady Vac on the gauges. Now start with the fill. Have the car running with the A/c on MAX blower on high. Also make sure the Rad fan is working and if it is electric is comes one when you turn the A/c on. Continue to add coolant until you get the right pressure on the low and high side. As for the clutch I've installed and removed 4-5 of them on fords. Not to hard at all. Most are remove the center bolt and use flat blades to wiggle the outer piece off. Then wiggle or tap the old coil off the hub that it has a friction fit. Use some fine sand paper to remove any rust from the hub and the lightly tap the new coil onto the hub. Then wiggle the new belt hub and outer clucth face on the compressor. Then check the air gap. If needed install the washers to make the gap within spec. Hope this gives you some insight. Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #4 – June 03, 2008, 04:42:51 AM Think I was tired while checking the Town Car system. Dunno why I thought that shorting compressor coil terminals will do something at all I'll jumper pressure switch plug today and see if it engages. Hope it's only a bad switch.It's kinda strange in the Town Car (1985), becouse low press. fitting is like for R134a while hi press. is still like they used to be in R12 systems. Do you think somebody replaced one of them to make it easier to work on it?To be honest... I've no idea how to undo the fittings at the compressor in the T-bird. Are they soldered (pic attached)? I'm considereng replacing a whole compressor as the one in my car is making a rattling noise while working. It's not audible from the inside, but kinda loud outside. What's causing that rattling noise?Other that that the A/C in my T-bird is ice cold. I'm using Canadian Duracool refrigerants to fill up the A/C systems, there is also a moisture remover available from this company. They have all kinds of stuff for car A/C in local milk cooler spare parts store :DThink I should buy some old vac pump on eBay. It will be much easier to work on the A/C using one. Is it possible to clean up the plugged orifice tube using vacuum? Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #5 – June 03, 2008, 08:32:21 AM They release same as the fuel lines... Use same tool... Once released, you defiantly need to replace the "O" rings(again look at the fuel line picts)... Your lower one is leaking(wet), also you need to be operating room clean when working with A/C... Thourghly clean the outside(brake cleaner) before dissambling the fittings...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/530871/2 Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #6 – June 03, 2008, 08:53:37 AM Haha... good I haven't tried using torch on the lines in the spare A/C :D I wanted to give it a try tonight :hick:Not only the lower connection is leaking. After using A/C oil dye it looks like disco lights under the hood in UV light :DThanks! I've just bought a set of those tools on eBay :) Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #7 – June 03, 2008, 02:36:07 PM I dont think that the vac will clean out the orifice tube. They are a valve thing that is covered by screen. So if in doubt take it out and replace it. If you have all the lines disconnected you might be able to shine a light down in the a look to see what yours looks like. I don know that to remove most older fords you have to cut the metal line and install the new orifice tube and use compression style couplers to put to back together. They sell these parts at most local parts stores around here. Don't have a clue where to find that over there! Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #8 – July 06, 2008, 07:31:53 PM Hello again!I tried to jumper the cycling switch socket and clutch won't engage. But clutch resistance is in the range TurboCoupe50 mentioned, so it should be OK. Can I simply connect A/C clutch to battery and see if it engages?I found that the A/C system in Town Car has some kind of thermo switch (there isn't anything like this in my T-bird) can I jumper the wires going to that switch? Maybe it's shot and that's why there's no power going to the cycling switch?What's the route of "signal" to the A/C clutch? I assume that A/C clutch gets constant ground and "+" goes from the dashboard A/C controls to the cycling switch and than to the clutch, am I right? I'm asking becouse I suspect a shot dashboard controls.Thanks!Mariusz... Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #9 – July 08, 2008, 03:38:08 PM Yes it is possible to jump 12v to the coil to test...Voltage from the control panel goes from the low pressure switch, to the cut out relay which operates it's coil... The Relay contacts then switch the voltage on/off the compressor... The cut out relay is also switched off by the EEC during WOT operation... If there is a problem with the relay, it's ground (EEC), or voltage supply to it, the compressor coil isn't going to receive voltage... To troubleshoot, I'd use a test light and start at the low pressure switch... IF you have voltage go to the cutout relay... If not go to control panel...I don't have a way to scan the wiring, maybe someone can post it... Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #10 – July 08, 2008, 06:09:11 PM 87 T-Bird EVTM Quote Selected
A/C compressor and clutch questions Reply #11 – July 17, 2008, 06:30:53 PM Hello again!Thank you very much for help! It works again :)Turned out to be a stupid problem with one wire loosing contact at the cycling switch socket. That's why there wasn't any voltage there. Now it's back to normal...Thanks again!Mariusz... Quote Selected
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