A/C compressor replacement?

Tiny
BLACKWOLF91
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,895,765 MILES
I am trying to remove an A/C compressor in a 2003 ford explorer V6 4.0 the air compressor is on the side near the battery not on top like most vehicles. I need to know the size of the bolts that are holding in the air compressor. I have tried a 5mm 4.5mm, and a 4mm the 5mm work on two of the bolts and non of the other sizes fit the third bolt.
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 AT 5:00 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Are you sure that you are removing the mounting bolts. I know they aren't that small. They should be around 14 or 15mm. this guide will help walk you through the replacement with diagrams below to help you with your car.

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

this video will help us vacuum down and recharge the system

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, October 8th, 2011 AT 3:48 AM
Tiny
FORD EXPLORER2
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
Much like the post from DevilDPGC on June 2, 2010, I am having the exact same problem with my Ford Explorer. My Explorer is the "Limited" trim.I have been told that the engine and the mechanics of it are the same as that used in the Lincoln series. My explorer is a 2003 model. Since buying it, I have replaced the air compressor twice. Over the past year, I have been having the same on/off again problem with the air conditioner that Devil DPGC describes. I have spent over $1000 with no resolution of the problem. In addition, my parents own a 2001 Lincoln LS and have been battling the EXACT same problem and have also spent well over $1000 with resolution! Any suggestions?
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
I don't know what the other person's post said. Can you describe what is happening?
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FORD EXPLORER2
  • MEMBER
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I have a 2003 Ford Explorer (Limited). It has the automatic dual climate control air conditioning. The air conditioning is intermittently blowing cold air. Specifically, when I am driving above a speed of approximatley 60 mph, the air conditioner blows cool air. Even at that point, however, it seems to be a temperature discrepancy between what is coming out on the passenger side vs drivers (even when the climate control is set on the same temp). If I slow down or idle at a red light, the unit blows with the same force, but start to blow ambient temperature air. If I speed back up over 60 mph, the air conditioner will eventually start blowing cool air again. I have noticed, that when I am driving at slower speeds, it seems as though the engine is slightly mis-firing which seems to coincide with the air conditioner not working appropriately. My parents own a Lincoln LS which is doing the exact same thing. I've done a search, and there seem to be a lot of people who are experiencing the same thing with their Lincoln/Ford products that have automatic air conditioning. I have spent over $1000 trying to fix the problem only for the unit to work for about 4-6 weeks, then start doing the same thing.

If you are having this problem, please notify FORD directly. I believe that there is an inherant problem with the automatic air conditioner in these vehicles and a recall may be in order. However, if FORD is not notified, a recall will never be done.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Have you checked the blend air doors?
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FORD EXPLORER2
  • MEMBER
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I dropped it off at the dealership on yesterday evening. So, I am waiting to hear back the response. Someone else told me that that might be the issue. That made perfect sense. What didn't make sense to me is why is it related to the engine skipping/mis-firing. Are the two related? This has been going on, on and off, for months. Initially, I thought it was just coincidental about the enging mis-firing when this occurred. But the two are always related. One doesn't always proceed the other. But they always occurr within minutes of each other.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Yes, I believe they are releated.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 9:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DIXON7341
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
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Just had the a/c compressor replaced (old one seized)
however on the drive home the following happened:

Blow cool (not icy cold) when vehicle is stop & idling. When you acceleralate it blows hot air. The garage that repaird is closed for this week(vacation) and I want to have information ready when I take vehicle back.
They told me the "Doors" were slow to react but I don't think that should be the problem. Just spent $800 and still not working. Help
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
There are several possibilities:

1) Air in the system. Air is a non-condensible gas. That is, it cannot be compressed and cooled to a liquid at the pressures available in an A/C system. As a result, it stays in gas form, and does not function as a refrigerant.

2) insufficient charge. Not enough refrigerant in the system will cause the low side pressure to go below limit, and turn off the compressor.

3) Overcharge. In this case, the refrigerant remains in a liquid state as it passes thruogh the evaporator. Result is no cooling.

4) Too much oil in the system. This causes the same problem as overcharge. The oil is a liquid, and remains as a liquid throughout the system.

Sorry that my explanation is so technical, butI could tell more if I could see gauge readings and temperature readings at the vehicle. I hope that this is at least of some help to you.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VIDIUS
  • MEMBER
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  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
A/c compresser will not engage in ford explorer after replacing the compresser. Some freon was added to pressurize the system.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Here's the diagram you will need to track it down
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Plug all the wiring back in correctly?

How much freon was added? Oil?---Maybe you have not added enough to "satisfy" the low pressure switch to enable the circuit to complete

Stay within specs---do not overfill!

Just a thought

The Medic
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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It only takes a couple ounces to be enough to trip the switch so I doubt that is the issue here.
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Friday, September 25th, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)

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