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  •  » 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

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    7/11/2014 4:26 AM  #1

    jerry
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    Registered: 7/11/2014
    Posts: 13

    2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    OK, I will be the first to admit that I am notan electronics expert. In fact they frustrate me. But here I go. I have a 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 with a manual trans. I cannot get power to the ac compressor. The fan will speed up and it sounds like the doors all change postion when I crank the switch to ac or max ac! I have run jumper wires to the compressor and the clutch engaged and it cooled nicely! I didn't let it run like this for very long. Didn't want to cause any additional problems! Ok the failure! The best that I can tell you is the ac compressor seized up and stalled the engine! ( OK go easy my sons ex girl friend was driving the car , and this is the way he got it back! I installed a replacement compressor and had to run the jumper wires to get the pump to run so it would take a charge! Which it did and it cooled nicely! SO I have been going crazy checking things out. I did find blown fuses! One of the really large ones in the control box in the engine compt and 2 other small ones> Sorry I do not remember which ones! I was on a pull it out and check it quest!
       I have just recently replaced the control box that is located in the right fender well! I found an article on that unit and I went through the check process for the control module and was pretty certain that that was it. but with the installation of the new (rebuilt part) the compressor will still not engage with the control switch!  Ran out od ideas!!! Please help!!!

     

    7/11/2014 4:40 AM  #2

    wsinsle
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Belle Vernon, PA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,664

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    Jerry not sure if this will help, but I have a dodge truck and one of the billizion things that have broke is the A/C. I don't drive it much so it's not high on my priorty list to fix. Two things I want to check is jumpering the compressor clutch as you have already done. The other thing, there is a pressure switch that I assume checks freon pressure and shuts off the compressor if pressure is low. My pressure is good so I'm thinking I my have a bad switch.

    If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
     

    7/11/2014 5:50 AM  #3

    ChrisH IA
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    From: Des Moines, Iowa
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 43

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    As wsinsle said, find that pressure switch. If you have power to one side AND it cools nicely when jumpered, that switch is likely bad. 

     

    7/11/2014 12:45 PM  #4

    MachTJ
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    From: Wisconsin
    Registered: 5/18/2014
    Posts: 348

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    should be two switches in the system one on the high side and one on the low side. One is probably close to the receiver drier and the other will probably just be in a line somewhere.

     

    7/11/2014 1:06 PM  #5

    BobN
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    Registered: 4/03/2013
    Posts: 158

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    Ford has a checkered history with AC control systems. I have had two Fords over the years that had similar issues you are describing. The last one was a 2000 ford escort. Everything checked out fine. Pressures were good, pressure switches were good, power was good, but it wouldn't work.

    I traced it to a control box next to the radiator that performed a few other functions (cruise control, AC electric fans, and a few others). All of the other functions of the control box worked except AC. Ford wanted over $200 to replace it.

    I used cut the pressure sensor out of the harness and used a relay to energise the clutch. This way if the pressure dropped the clutch would dis-engage, and the inside controls still turned it on and off. I drove it like that for 5 years without issue. The fix cost me about $5...

    Just rig it up with a relay and you will be fine.

    BobN

     

    7/11/2014 2:41 PM  #6

    wsinsle
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Belle Vernon, PA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,664

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    That's pretty slick thinking Bob.

    If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
     

    7/14/2014 3:25 PM  #7

    jerry
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    Registered: 7/11/2014
    Posts: 13

    Re: 2000 mustang 3.8 v6 no power to ac compressor

    OK, guys I did say I am not up on the electronics of these new cars. SO Bobn, I have no idea on how to do what you suggested, maybe you could send me a step by step instruction? Please! I have replaced that electronic control module and it made no differance! SO I tried jumping the pressure switchs. I didn't have any success. So while I am trying to get the air conditioning figured out on this mustang, (my sons) I was working on the air conditioning on my wifes grand marquis. (hers is fixed) only had leaks with that one. anyway I had some used parts and pieces laying around , So I thought that I would try the switch from her car on the Mustang. Well the little tire gut valve leaked and I dropped the switch and the charge leaked out and hers ended up being differant . and yes I felt a bit like an "idiot" But I have had those days in the past, SO no big deal! So if any one could lay out a step by step procdure to bypass all of this electronic crap or to fix it. Whichever; it doesn't matter to me as long as I get the ac working! It has been in high 90s here for the past few weeks! Ac is manditory Here! Otherwise we willl melt! :-)  OK guys; as always thank you for your time and efforts!  jerry 

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