2003 Ford Ranger AC won't start for about 10 minutes after starting

[jcwhidby]

The AC on my 2003 Ford Ranger 3.0L won't start cooling until I have been driving for about 10 minutes. Once it does, it works perfectly. If I stop briefly for gas or something like that it works normally but if the engine cools off it goes through the delayed start again. Any ideas what would cause this? Thanks!

 

[franklin2]

When you have the problem, immediately get out with the engine still running, the A/C on, and lift the hood and see if the clutch on the compressor is turning. If you do not know what to look for (parts of it always turn, parts of it don't), get the A/C working, go out and look at the compressor, and then turn the A/C off, engine still running, and go out and look at it again.

Once you get oriented as to where the compressor is, and what it's supposed to look like when it's working, when it fails to cool, go out and see if it's turning like it's supposed to. That will be a big help in troubleshooting it.

 

[jcwhidby]

The compressor is not turning when it is not cooling, when it does engage the ac works great.

 

[jcwhidby]

The problem was a degraded AC clutch relay. Replaced it and there were no further issues.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Thanks for posting the fix.