AC Trouble 1997 Taurus GL

Just wondering if the compressor is not turning on because of a low pressure switch. Some cars have it on the high side, like on the receiver/ dryer. I've charged some cars where after putting a pound or so in, the compressor still didn't kick on and I had to jumper 12v directly to the clutch to finish filling. You said the pressure shot way up on the low side, what's the pressure on the high side. With the car off, the high side and low side should have equal pressure. Again, I'm not sure where the low pressure switch is on your car, just something else to consider.

There is another fix for the CCRM if you're interested. Let me know.

If you know how to solder connections, or if you know someone who can do it for you, you can open up the CCRM and change the relay with a like for like relay from Radio Shack, $4.50. You have to remove the CCRM. Drill out the rivets. Desolder and remove the relay, the one with the same colored wires you described. Solder the new relay in. Rivet the CCRM case back together and reinstall it. It's not that difficult as long as you know how to make a good soldered connection. To desolder the relay, you can by a desoldering tool fom Radio Shack. You push the plunger in, hold it to the connection while applying the soldering iron, push the button when solder melts and it sucks in he solder. You can try removing the relay without the desoldering tool but the tool makes it much easier. I think all the relays are the same in the CCRM but it would be best to bring it with you when you go to Radio Shack. The part # is 275-005. Most cars have a relay center that is not sealed up and the relays are plug in kind but I guess Ford wants to make it difficult to change one or wants to sell the whole CCRM to you. If you don't know how to solder, let me know and I'll walk you through it. It's easy, but you have to make sure it's done right. Let me know how it goes or if you need assistance.

Let me look into this. I'll get right back to you.

I did the same thing for my 87 Taurus, back when the ccrm was known as the integrated relay controller, that was a sealed box also, drilled out the rivets and replaced the fan controller relay, it would occasionally stick on, I would rap the box, it would shut off. Be gentle with the solder and heat

You'll need a digital multimeter. First, identify the black/yellow wire for the AC on the large wiring connector that connects to the CCRM. Identify the same terminal on the CCRM that the connector plugged in to. Set your multimeter to the OHMS setting. The display should read OL. Touch one probe to the connector of the CCRM that you identified as being for the black/yellow wire. Start probing the soldered terminals of the board where the relays are until you get an ohm reading. It will be like.2 or.3 ohms or something close. If you identified the right terminal on the connector of the CCRM, that should be the only soldered terminal you get a reading on. That's your AC relay. I haven't opened a CCRM up myself, I'm assuming the relays are on a printed circuit board. If there is wiring going to the relays, just look for the relay with the black/yellow wire going to it.

Happy motoring.