2006 Ford Ranger Air conditioner intermittent

BIGDANDOB

MEMBER
2006 FORD RANGER

Air Conditioning problem
2006 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 107K miles

My 2006 Ranger air conditioner is intermittent.
The problem first started when the AC would cutout and go to defrost when climbing hills.
It evolved to where it would take about 20 miles of driving for the AC to come on it would blow cold air for a while then not so cold and then cold air.
It was acting almost normal for about 2 weeks recently and the AC would come on after maybe a mile.
The air would blow cold then not as cold.
When the AC is running it no longer cuts out and goes to defrost when climbing hills although the air temp may not be as cold.
I had the system charged 6 months ago at Sears but the problem still exists.
The AC takes a while to come on and blow cold air from a mile to 20. When the air blows cold it blows as cold as normal then warms up and gets cold again but does not cutout and go to defrost on hills
Please help
Thanks
Dan DeMack

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

There is a technical bulliten about 2002-2006 Rangers, the A/C compressor shaft seal leaks freon, and needs to be replaced. Here's the TSB:
A/C COMPRESSOR NOT OPERATIONAL / LOW FREON - SHAFT SEAL LEAKS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): 06-4-9, � Date of Issue: � March 6, 2006 Related Ref Number(s): 06-4-9 ARTICLE BEGINNING ISSUE Some 2002-2006 vehicles equipped with an FS-10 A/C compressor may experience a non operational A/C compressor due to a low freon level caused by a leaking shaft seal. ACTION Replace the A/C compressor shaft seal following the Service Procedure. SERVICE PROCEDURE If the shaft seal on the front of the A/C compressor is leaking, replace the shaft seal (F1VY-19D665- A) and not the compressor assembly. Replacing the shaft seal should correct the leaking condition. When replacing the seal, follow the procedure outlined in Workshop Manual, Section 412-03. PARTS INFORMATION FORD: 2003 Escort; 2003-2006 Focus, Mustang, Taurus; 2003 Explorer Sport, Windstar; 2003-2005 Excursion, Explorer Sport Trac; 2003-2006 Escape, F-150, F-Super Duty, Ranger; 2004-2006 Freestar; 2006 Low Cab Forward LINCOLN: 2002 Blackwood; 2006 Mark LT MERCURY: 2003-2005 Sable; 2004-2006 Monterey; 2005-2006 Mariner.

The other problem you had, air changing to defrost, means there is a vacuum leak in either a line, or the control head, this could allow the temperature blend door to not close the heat off fully during A/C operation...