A/C problems... Ford focus zx3

[samzx3]

im having problems with my A/C. the problems is that the compressor is starting and stopping too fast, it is not doing the pause that it has to do normally, and also im feeling that it is not cooling well.He gets to the right temperature after a while. what do you think?????

[Sponsor]

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Probably a low charge, but you'll want to get a set of gauges to figure that out. It could also be too much charge combined with high ambient temps, so don't just go putting in a can.

If you find that you've had a leak, I highly suggest that you follow the advice in the General AC Troubleshooting and Repair at the top of this forum (for the summer at least). If you simply put a can in, then don't be surprised if you have to do it again before the summer is out. Stop leaks can lock up your compressor if the leak is too large.

[samzx3]

thank you so much for the advise. in fact my a/c is working fine but a was a litlle bit worry because the compressor was starting and stopping too fast so i wanted to know if this was ok. well thanks.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

OK, quick "what to look for" on the gauges. All you need to hook up is the low side on the gauges to the low side port. Make sure the other side is closed. You can also just get one of those cans with the gauge on it if you want- just use the gauge and don't penetrate the can. I'm just a little scared of those because most of them come with stop leak. I also suggest that you do this in the shade.

Ok, now that it's hooked up, turn the engine on, turn the AC on Max/recirc with the temp all the way down. Watch the gauge. If it's low on charge, then the gauge will drop to 20 psi, and then the compressor will cut off and it will rise back up to 100 or whatever it was previously.

If that's the case, then you can remove the hose, penetrate the can, and go through the same motions to add some refrigerant. I would add refrigerant until the low side pressure was around 36 -38, then rev the engine to about 3k rpm, and see what the pressure drops to. You don't really want it to drop below 32 or the evap could end up with ice on it.

[samzx3]

let me ask you a question, do you know where is the low pressure line located in a ford focus zx3?, is the one that is located in the right of the headlights???

[5spdZTS]

The A/C line near the driver's headlight is the high pressure line. The low pressure line is up under the passenger side fender. You can't access it from under the hood.

[samzx3]

my accumulator is not cold neither hot its normal, this happend when i have the a/c in
high and after a long time working it continue the same. what do you think about it????

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Originally Posted by samzx3

let me ask you a question, do you know where is the low pressure line located in a ford focus zx3?, is the one that is located in the right of the headlights???

That sounds like the high pressure port. For some reason it's the easiest to get to. The low pressure port used for charging is under the passenger fender behind the headlights. Check the General AC thread for pics of the location, and Bluefront had a thread about adding a can to an AC system that shows where it is.

Originally Posted by samzx3

my accumulator is not cold neither hot its normal, this happend when i have the a/c in
high and after a long time working it continue the same. what do you think about it????

If the AC was functioning properly, the accumulator would get cold and water would condensate on it. A warm or ambient temp accumulator would be a sign of a system that's not working properly for some reason.