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Ford Freestyle climate control

32 messages,  Last post on Aug 17, 2012 at 9:00 PM

You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestyle, Heating / Cooling, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 4

#29 of 32 Freestyle with clicking noise under the dash by dmerwin

Jun 08, 2010 (4:06 pm)

I have a 2005 Ford Freestyle and there is a loud "clicking" noise that is coming from under the dash on the passenger side. It happens when I turn on or off the A/C. Does anyone know what is going on? Thanks.

#30 of 32 Re: Freestyle AC problem [jd1975] by ejneary

Sep 17, 2010 (5:39 am)

Replying to: jd1975 (Jun 05, 2010 7:11 pm)
I had the same problems as other Freestyle owners have had. Hot day or around town at stoplights, warm air from vents. Freeway driving, cooler, but not COLD air.
 
I had it into Ford and they said that the system was working fine........
 
I did a bunch of research and found some links to the problem on an Air Conditioning site link below:
 
http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=22170
 
I am placing this info here for those that were like me and trying to find the answer with no help from the Ford dealership. They must have a procedure that does not identify this particular problem but it exists and it seems that LOTS of owners are having it.
 
The AC compressor is a newer scroll type that uses a control valve located in the rear of the compressor behind a plate with two screws. This valve fails to function properly and most people change the entire compressor and magically, they fix the problem when they could have only replaced the control valve for $30.00 like I did and get the same result!!!
 
I am not saying that this will work in every instance BUT, with less than 27K miles on my car, the chances of a bad compressor were very low. Also, the system was fully charged as indicated by my gauge and there were no leaks.
 
Here is a link to the replacement part:
 
http://www.techchoiceparts.com/ShowItem/116597-Scroll%20Compressor%20Control%20V- alve.aspx
 
This valve is located on the back side of the compressor and can be changed without getting under the car... YOU MUST EVACUATE THE R-134A FIRST!!! If you remove the retaining plate with the system charged, it will blow all of the refrigerant out on you. I simply evacuated the system first and then replaced the valve. The valve comes as the brass piece with its seal. You must remove the retaining plate from the rear of the compressor which is held in with two 10mm bolts. I have included a link to a photo of the plate below. This view is looking down between the radiator and the engine with the hood open.
 
http://ejneary.home.comcast.net/~ejneary/images/freestyle.jpg
 
So, here is the procedure:
 
1. Evacuate refrigerant
2. Remove two 10mm bolts on rear of compressor
3. Remove old control valve with spring
4. Move spring to new control valve
5. replace spring and control valve in compressor
6. Replace retaining plate with two bolts
7. Tighten bolts
8. re-charge system with refrigerant (Amount needed is listed on the tag that is on the radiator support)
9. cold air will come out of vents at idle.
 
I hope that this helps some people. I spent HOURS researching this problem and the Ford tech was not able to find this.

#31 of 32 Re: Freestyle AC problem [ejneary] by sacnsc

Jul 30, 2011 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: ejneary (Sep 17, 2010 5:39 am)
Thank you so much for this information. I ordered the part from your link, $48 with shipping and handling. My mechanic charged me $20 to put it on. My AC is working like brand new. Again, thank you for taking the time to put all of this information online for others.

#32 of 32 Intermittent AC problem with Freestyle by automotivation

Aug 17, 2012 (9:00 pm)

At about 60,000 miles I replaced my ac compressor because the ac wasn't working properly. Ford did the repair. It has been about a year and a half since then and now the ac has begun working intermittently. A few days ago the AC was simply blowing warm air. I would shut the car off and sometimes the AC would be back on. This happened intermittently for the last 3-4 days. Sometimes the AC would start blowing out cold air after the car ran for 20-30 minutes. I took it to Ford and told them what was happening and they checked the pressure, vacuumed out the system and could not get the problem to happen to them. So when the AC was blowing warm air I stopped into the Ford Service Shop. As it sat running at the shop the AC began blowing cold air. They thought it might be a bad relay, so they switched out the relay with the fog light relay. The AC was working at the time but after I turned the car off, then took the car for another drive, it was not on again. So I believe I've eliminated the relay as the problem. When the AC is not coming on, the compressor is not turning. When the AC is working, the compressor turns and the AC is very cold. I've been trying to find a pattern but none seem to exist. Does anyone know what could be the problem? Does it sound like a pressure control switch, or a loose connection, or something wrong with the electronic climate control in the dash? I've read lots of forums and no one has mentioned this particular problem. Ford is trying to help pinpoint the problem but it seems they are a bit stumped too. Any help is appreciated.

Messages Page 4 of 4

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