a/c controls ... need help '97 Ranger

[Skyranger]

A/C blows hot air, compressor cycles on & off. I had my a/c checked and refrigerant added (only took a little) pressure tested fine & it worked great until I turned the air off on a cool day. Then when I turned it back to a/c it only blows hot air! The compressor comes on when on a/c, a/c max, defog, defog plus footwell AND face/footwell vents. It does not come on when on face vents or foot vents only. The fan works on all settings. The tech library says to check electrics first but I don't know where to begin with this. I could'nt find a similar thread so I apologize in advance if you point me to the answer.

 

[adsm08]

Now, is it actually blowing hot like the heater is on, or is it just not blowing cold?

 

[Skyranger]

It's just not blowing cold. By the way, its a XLT 2x4 Reg Cab 2.3L Auto that I've had since new. It's had some electrical gremlins I've learned to live with (like a check engine lite that only comes on at the change to spring/summer gas and goes off during the fall/winter gas mix & beeps that the Ford dealers could never identify). Thanks for replying.

 

[Thed]

The compressor comes on when on a/c, a/c max, defog, defog plus footwell AND face/footwell vents. It does not come on when on face vents or foot vents only.

That part is normal.

I do have to ask this, is it the same when you're driving around? Basically, does it only happen at idle or all the time?

 

[Skyranger]

All the time. I do notice when it's sitting still the compressor cycles a lot like 2 seconds on, 4 seconds off, 2 on, 4 off, etc. I don't remeber it doing that when it was working right.

 

[exbass94]

Compressor cycling that much and no cold air means it's low on refrigerant. You need to find/fix the leak(s), vacuum, and recharge.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I'd get it in to the local A/C shop and have it checked out for a leak. At this point, I'd also specifically ask to have the orifice tube inspected for debris as the compressor may have been damaged by lack of lubricant.

 

[Skyranger]

Thanks!