1995 Mercury Villager AC Compressor

ALFCD

MEMBER
1995 MERCURY VILLAGER

1995 Mercury Villager, 136,000 miles, 3.0 Liter Engine

Rently on an 1.5 trip from home, after about 30-40 minutes into the trip, the temperature seemed to be getting warmer so I turned the fan speed from 1 to 2. Then a little later to 3. And finally to 4. I noticed at this time that there SEEMED to be plenty of air flow, at least it sounded that way in the dash, but very little of it was coming out the dash vents. This was NOT the case when we had started the trip.

We stopped about an hour into the trip and went into Wal-Mart. We were in there about 30 minutes and when we came back out, things seemed to have returned to normal with PLENTY of air flow from the vents, at which time I turned the fan back down to 1 again. Before we arrived at our destination, the van repeated the problem. It then repeated the problem on the way home so I took it into the AC shop for a check.

They found the system to be about 1.5 lbs. Low of refrigerant and were sure they solved the problem by fully charging the system. A few days later we went out of town again and once again, after about 30-40 minutes into the trip we had a repeat of the above.

One strange thing I noticed on the way home was that it seems the AC compressor is STAYING ON ALL THE TIME, no matter if I turn the AC SWITCH to On or Off. And regardless of whether I turn the temperature dial all the way on cold or hot. Even sitting idling in my driveway, over a 5 minute period, I do NOT hear the compressor cyling on or off, no matter what I do with the AC SWITCH or the Temperature Dial. Or turning the WHOLE AC?HEATER SYSTEM switch to off.

I know NOTHING of automobile AC systems but it seems to me that perhaps my compressor is STAYING ON and maybe eventually freezing something up, causing the blower doors to funtion erratically. Is that a possibility or do you have any other suggestions of things to check?

2 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

The first part of your post sounds like ther is a leak, the ac shop is able to put a dye in the system to check for leaks. With the compressor staying on I wonder if the compressor clutch is stuck. Try disconnecting the wires that go to the compressor, they are right on top of the compressor itself and clips together. When you have them disconnected start the car ansd see if the compressor still runs.
If it does without it being connected to the electric then the clutch is bad. This is very rare that it sticks in the on position. Then check the wires with a static tester to see if there is voltage going to the compressor when the heater is shut off. Most cars ac will run whenever the defrost is on to remove excessive moisture inside the vehicle.