2000 Taurus - cycling A/C compressor

A4DRIVR

MEMBER
2000 FORD TAURUS

I have a 2000 Ford Taurus w/ 3.0 V6 (95,000 miles) and recently the A/C began to blow hot. I checked the R-134a pressure in the system. The low side was approx. 40 psi at 70F, however the high side was only between 50 and 100 psi. I noticed that the A/C compressor would cycle, but would not remain on for more than a matter of seconds. When the compressor kicked on, pressure would rise to just under 100 psi (and would possibly rise higher if the compressor would stay on). Then it kicked off and would drop back to 50 psi. I'm not sure what would cause this. And any help pointing me in the right direction would be much appreciated.

Some additional info. The car has the manual style A/c controls. In addition, when the controls are switched into A/C the cooling fans kick on as they should.

2 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Until the compressor kicks on for more than a sec or 2, 40 psi at idle, with the pump not running is low should read about 50. Try bypassing the pressure cycling switch with a jumper wire. This will kick on the compressor. Fill the system from the low side then remove the jumper. DO NOT RUN with jumper. Will FRY compressor! If this dosen't solve the problem replace the pressure switch.