Escape - Air Conditioner

I'd suspect that you have lost some refrigerant. AFAIK, the only thing that

would shut off the A/C is the low pressure switch. Of course, the lower the

temperature, the lower the pressure, and the switch cuts off the compressor

to keep from damaging it.

If you lose refrigerant, you have low pressure, too, but not from low

temperatures, only from low volume of refrigerant.

CJB

I agree with CJB- I think you may have a low charge. I have a 2002 Escape,

and the manual says the AC will work in all modes (AC or defrost) as long as

the outside air is 43 degrees F. or more.

Good luck!

SC Tom

cited author.]

Typically, it should only be shut off in temps below about 40-45F, or

near-full to full-throttle conditions. If it's not cooling during more

normal use, then either there is a low refrigerent problem, temperature

blend door issue, dirty cabin air filter (if it has one), plugged up

evaporator (what cools the air in the car), or condenser (in front of

the radiator.)

Fred,

Your A/C not working at 75 degrees is a fault, not a

feature. The PCM shuts off the compressor when the load on

the engine is high (like going up a steep hill). The low

side pressure switch cuts off the compressor when the

ambient temperature is low - but 75 F is not "low" in this

application. Most likely you have a low refrigerant (Suva)

charge. When the A/C is properly charged you can't bypass

the ambient low ambient temperature "feature." It is the

nature of the refrigerant used that the AC won't be

effective at low temperatures. But 75 degrees is not low.

Fred Harper wrote:

Most definitely not what the dealer says (and I checked with an

independent too). I'll get the charge checked.

Thanks,

Fred

SC Tom wrote: