My 2000 Ranger xlt 3.0 flex fuel a/c is getting warm when idling for 5 minutes or so. It also gets warm when you gun it from a stop? It is staying cold all other times. I have to turn the a/c off and wait a few minutes then turn it back on.. that seems to work most of the time. Any suggestions as to what may be causing this?

 

Welcome to the forum

Reads like the fan clutch is failing

When engine has sat overnight, so stone cold
Open the hood a try to spin the fan blades
They should not spin easily, should be tight, if not then replace fan clutch

Start engine and run it for 30 seconds or so then shut off engine
Spin fan again, should spin easily
Drive vehicle to work or ?? so its full warmed up
Shut off engine and check fan again
Should be harder to spin, tight again

The fan clutch will be tight when stone cold
After start up the oil inside gets warm, so after 30 seconds, oil is viscous again so fan is unlocked since its not needed when engine is cold
After RADIATOR warms up the fan clutch spring on its front side, that closes a valve inside so oil can't pass thru openings, locking fan clutch for better air circulation thru radiator and in engine bay when stopped or driving slowly

 

Thanks. I will check fan clutch.

 

The fan clutch seems to spin with the same little resistance in all situations( cold, warm or hot). I did notice that the a/c coolant psi sits around 38psi when at idle and the compressor clutch stays engaged the whole time. When at idle, i rev the engine to around 2500rpm.. the compressor brings the psi down to around 28psi and disengages around 48-50psi and then cycles again. It will do this for 2-3 minutes then the compressor clutch stops engaging and the psi goes way up to 110-130 and the a/c air gets warm. I turn off the a/c for a few minutes and then turn it back on and it seems to fix it for a little while.
The temperatures in my area are 95-100 degrees in summer.

 

Replace fan clutch

 

Just changed the fan clutch. Seems to have fixed it. I can now see how the other was not working correctly. I appreciate your help!! I will be back for help when needed.

 

Good work

Thanks for the follow up and the FIX

 

Now I have a bad vibration/shutter noise when under a load? It also is a slight vibration at idle? Looks like the water pump pulley and fan are off balance. Any suggestions for this? Hope I did not knock off the timing

 

Fan clutch is not on right or is bad

New used to mean "tested and works"

New now means "YOU test it for us, and we will replace it if its bad"

See if it has a wobble with engine off, move it with your hand

It is possible the old fan clutch damaged water pump shaft bearing, but long shot, not a not shot though

 

No wobble with the engine off. Water pump is just over a year old. I guess I should take it off and exchange it?

 

Yes, that's what I would do

After its off you can try to see if you can balance it with fan blades on, just on your finger, if not then take fan blade off and see if clutch balances
If you still have the old one try balancing that as well for comparision

Have a look at the fan blades for damage, you can use a short stick and see if fan blade balances on your finger

 

I installed the new fan clutch but I still have the vibration/rumbling. I decided to take it to a local mechanic. Hopefully they can figure it out. I hope it’s not the transmission.. i just had it rebuilt about 18 months ago😬

 

Had the water pump changed... the old was just over a year old and you could see where one of the fins was bent and was tearing up.. it was about to damage the engine.. engine seems okay so far. Still having the intermittent a/c problem as discussed earlier.

 

Good work

That is an odd one