Air conditioning problem

[fubard]

Hello all, I have a 2000 Taurus SE with a 3.0L motor and 125Km. Last year I had the AC charged up and it's been working fine or so I thought. What I've noticed is that the compressor seems to always be engaged regardless of the control setting. If I select off it does disengage.It has manual climate control. I know that the AC system will cycle randomly but in my case it stays on. I was thinking it could be a problem with the unit that controls the random function of the AC or maybe a bad function switch. Has anyone had this problem and resolved it?

Thanks

[shorod]

The way the climate control is set up does activate the A/C compressor for just about every setting. There are only a couple that do not call for A/C. Per the wiring diagram, power is routed to the A/C compressor clutch for all settings EXCEPT Off, Vent, and Floor.

-Rod

[fubard]

Thanks for the reply,Rod. Late last nite I managed to find a PDF file for the wiring diagrams of the various AC systems. It does show the switch allowing the AC compressor to have power in all but a couple settings. I'll try to use those settings when I don't want the AC to run but it just doesn't seem right. Doesn't it waste fuel and cause more wear on the compressor? I may consider installing a switch to disable the AC relay.Even a temp sensor would work. If the temp gets too low then disable the compressor, except for defrost.

[shorod]

It will cause the fuel economy to suffer a bit, but I'm not sure on the wear. Yeah, the compressor will be running more, but it will also be circulating the refrigerant which carries the oil, so it will be keeping seals and the compressor lubricated better as well.

-Rod

[fubard]

Originally Posted by shorod

It will cause the fuel economy to suffer a bit, but I'm not sure on the wear. Yeah, the compressor will be running more, but it will also be circulating the refrigerant which carries the oil, so it will be keeping seals and the compressor lubricated better as well.

-Rod

I'll check my owners manual.I thought the AC was cycled randomly to circulate everything since if the switch was left in a non AC mode it'd never circulate.

[phillipshaw]

how long is this? May be you need to change it to new?

[jnc852]

Have you fixed this? I have the exact same problem on my '00 taurus SE. I have been pulling the relay in the fuse box to shut the ac off in the winter, but I'd really like to fix it. I dont have a schematic to see how its supposed to work, but checking the selector switch, it appears to work properly.

j

[shorod]

The compressor SHOULD run in the winter to remove the moisture from the air and minimize the chance of the windshield frosting up.

-Rod

[jnc852]

i know it *should* work for defrost, but I'd rather it didnt if it meant I had my AC clutch constantly engaged in the winter.

I tracked down an old schematic (not sure if its correct for my car) and it seems to me I might have a problem with the CCRM (constant control relay module). I'll have to have a closer peak when I find some spare time.

j

[BeaJean]

I have a Ford Taurus SES 2000, and it sat for a while about a couple of months, and before it sat, the air conditioning worked great, and it was so cold. After I got my license to drive I started it and the ABS lights came on and the air conditioner would not work, I went a whole summer without it. I finally found out that the part that was needed was right beside the air filter compartment. It was the mass air flow sensor that needed to be changed out, I changed it and it works just fine now.

[shorod]

The mass air flow sensor should have no effect on the A/C working or not. It also won't effect the ABS. Are you certain the MAF is what you changed? Did you do anything else at the same time (such as install a new battery)?

-Rod