Common Ford F-150 A/C Problems
Diagnosing and repairing problems involving the Ford F-150 A/C is no easy task. This is why there are courses at numerous tech colleges which are specifically designed to show students how to do it. Despite this, many A/C issues aren’t properly diagnosed, leading to drivers spending extra money, so it is important to be able to identify potential problems even if you intend to hire a technician. Below are some of them.
Diagnosing and repairing problems involving the Ford F-150 A/C is no easy task. This is why there are courses at numerous tech colleges which are specifically designed to show students how to do it. Despite this, many A/C issues aren’t properly diagnosed, leading to drivers spending extra money, so it is important to be able to identify potential problems even if you intend to hire a technician. Below are some of them.
Issues With Refrigerant Cooling
The refrigerant cooling mechanism can be found beneath the hood. It is best to consult the manual, as it will have detailed schematics on the truck along with instructions for troubleshooting various issues. The belt of the compressor drive sometimes breaks, or comes up missing. This particular issue is simple to fix once you know what to do. There are numerous videos online which demonstrate step by step how to reinstall a serpentine belt.
Once you’ve done this, you will next want to inspect the refrigerant hoses, regulatory switches and compressor wiring. If the wiring is frayed, the contact points are oily or the connection is bad, make a note of it. Try starting up the truck and watch to see if the belts turn without producing noise or slipping, and touch the hoses to see how they feel. The bigger hose should be cool to the touch, while the smaller hose should be warm. If you see starting and stopping, stuttering or turning which is irregular, this means the belt has a serious issue.
Issues With Air Management
Most problems involving the F-150 (and other Fords) involve either refrigerant cycling or the management of air. The good news is that many of the issues are easy to diagnose. For instance, if you notice that neither the controls nor buttons work, demonstrate excessive resistance or none at all, the problem is often electrical in nature.
If no airflow is present, this means you should check to see if a fuse is blown. If it is, the good news is that blown fuses are both simple and affordable to fix, you just buy a new fuse which has an identical rating from a car parts store and replace it using the instruction manual. However, if you notice that fuses are blowing frequently, this means you have a major issue involving either circuitry or electrical components.
The fuses of the blower fan will usually break down first and may be the result of a bad motor. Both the vacuum system and heater valves will provide supply lines which manage the temperature and airflow direction, and are simple to locate using a manual and if needed can be affordably replaced.
When You Should Contact A Mechanic
If none of the above tips resolve the issue, this means you’ll need to contact a mechanic, as you might have a problem with the truck’s air blend, or the compression system itself. Only a qualified mechanic can resolve these issues, and unfortunately the costs can be high.