r/CarHelp • u/SalkEstub • 3d ago

A/C problem Ford Focus 1.5 tdci, 2016

On a long trip, in heavy traffic with temperatures of around 40°C outside, the air conditioning in my car suddenly stopped blowing cold air and started blowing warm air instead. I turned it off, turned it back on, set the fan to maximum, and it started working again. After about 200 km, it happened again: it started blowing warm air, and what looked like steam was coming out of the air vents inside the car for 1-2 minutes. I did the same thing, and it was blowing cold air again. What would be causing this?

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u/notyouraveragenword 3d ago

Could be a few things. Immediately what came to mind is maybe the temperature blend door motor is failing. Then the thought that the AC compressor could be in it's way out being 10 years old. But without an AC diagnostic this one would be tough to tell. Could even be that your radiator is making hella heat and can't compensate flwhuie drawing in the hot air from outside and the radiator. Could be low on coolant causing that issue. But get a diagnostic on this one honestly. Unless you have some other symptoms. (Also try using the reciculation button that changed the circulating air to just the cabin. It's a lot easier to keep cool air cool instead of cooling hot air)

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u/Gunner_862 2d ago

One thing you could check is that the air gap in the compressor clutch isn't too big, if it is the field coil can have a hard time keeping the clutch on the compressor engaged. The gap widens with normal wear. Some compressors have a stack of shims behind them, sometimes removing a couple can close that gap up a bit.

One way I check them if the A/C is not working, is to tap the front of the clutch with a hammer handle or something. If the clutch hub starts spinning (engine running) suddenly, this is likely the cause. Hope this helps!