A/C blows hot air?

Tiny
DESIREE2323
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
The A/C is blowing hot all the time now, which is a new issue. Ongoing A/C issues, all intermittent: 1) After starting the car and turning the A/C on, hot air blows out (settings set at: Max A/C, coldest temperature, high flow). If A/C is turned off and back on, the issue corrects itself. 2) In the event my car decides to overheat, which happens if the engine idles for a period of time (i.E. Stuck at a traffic light) or I run a few errands around town. Meaning the car is being turned on, driven a short distance, then turned off over short periods of time repeatedly. When I turn the A/C temperature to the hottest setting, the air blows out cool instead of hot. 3) If the car is idling and the A/C is on, the air begins to blow out warm.

Current A/C issue: Air blows out hot no matter the setting or temperature it’s set at. Current problems: When A/C is on, the clutch is always engaged. The A/C has been overcharged in the past and blew cool air with clutch still engaged. The overcharged issue has been corrected but clutch is engaged, and air is blowing hot.
Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 12:02 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,967 POSTS
It sounds like you have two problems, first the fan clutch needs to be replaced, and the temperature blend door actuator is not working correctly.

Here is a guide to confirm the fan clutch failure:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-automotive-radiator-cooling-fan-clutch-a-comprehensive-diy

And this guide may help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/comprehensive-guide-troubleshooting-intermittent-automotive-air-conditioner-problems

and here is the blend door location so you can swap it out. Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes
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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
DESIREE2323
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your advice, Ken. So, it turns out that the fan clutch was bad and needed to be replaced after all. So, I ordered the part and replaced it. Unfortunately, the A/C is still not blowing cold air. You mentioned the temperature blend door actuator was not working correctly. Is there a way to tell if this is properly working? When the heat is turned on, hot air blows out.
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Sunday, July 2nd, 2023 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,967 POSTS
Here is the location of the temperature blend door actuator, I would please your hand on it and work the control to see if you can feel it working/moving? If not, I would replace the unit. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Monday, July 3rd, 2023 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
DESIREE2323
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken. So, the blend door actuator is working properly. I have tested both the high side and the low side pressures. The static pressure is 116 PSI at 96F for both sides. With the car running, the compressor engaged, and on Max A/C, the low side ranged from 50-60 PSI. The high side stays at 125 PSI with the gauge needle fluttering over that number. After starting the engine, the accumulator becomes slightly cool to touch but then changes to warm. The air coming through the vents also exhibits the same pattern. Where should I go from here?
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Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 AT 7:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,967 POSTS
Those pressures are telling us the compressor is bad. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

And this video will show you how to vacuum down and recharge the system:

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY

Check out the images (below). Please let us know how it goes.
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Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 AT 9:24 AM

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