A/C problem: cooled air won't come out after long driving - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

liolau · 08-23-2009, 12:19

Our Taurus 2001 gives us another challenge after we fixed the fan speed problem.<see The Ford Taurus 2001 Fan speed control knob malfunction>, hopefully there are not related.

Here is what happened, the A/C works fine in local driving(less than 30minutes or less speed), but when we drive it out of town for more than about an hour of trip, the A/C air-outlets will behave like blocking air to come out, and no matter what we switch among the A/C settings(off,A/C,Max A/C or any setting on it) or change the fan speeds, the air just won't come out from the air exits anymore. While I changed the fan speed, i can hear the cooled air was circulated inside of the air-ducts, but just don't feel the cooled air. It looks like something is blocking the air outlets, maybe some duct vent control or the like.

Since every time we sent it to a repair shop, we were not driving long enough, so we did not have the situation of no air out to show them, hence they had never found problem on our Taurus 2001 A/C system, so any suggestion? Thank you!

**jwko** · 08-23-2009, 18:53

Is the cabin air filter stopped up, restricting the airflow through the evaporator coils causing them to freeze?

Just a guess.

liolau · 08-25-2009, 07:08

Thank you for your reply, if i want to check this cabin air filter what should i do? any suggest?

**Bert** · 08-25-2009, 07:37

The owners manual explains it with pictures. If you can't find it or don't have it, post back.

liolau · 08-25-2009, 17:04

Hi, thank you!
I found those cabinet air filter pictures, so I will replace a new filter and check A/C functioning on next out of town trip, and i will report the result here. Meanwhile, any other suggestions/guesses are welcome.

liolau · 08-29-2009, 12:23

When I did the filter replacement, i found the Cowl top inner panel shield was missing. Can i just replace the cabin air filter without this cowl top inner panel shield?
Thanks

**tbird100636** · 08-29-2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by liolau

When I did the filter replacement, i found the Cowl top inner panel shield was missing. Can i just replace the cabin air filter without this cowl top inner panel shield?
Thanks

No. This inner shield re-directs drain water from soaking the filter and getting water in the A/C box. Find one at a salvage yard, it will most likely be cheaper than new from the dealer. Don't forget the 5.5 mm screws too!!!

liolau · 09-14-2009, 06:35

Hi,
The problem still exists, however we find if we set the A/C to OFF for a couple of minutes then turn it back on again, and A/C will come back. Thank you guys, I probably will just live with it till other suggestion comes up.

**Bert** · 09-14-2009, 08:47

After shutting it off for a cople of minutes, how quick does it seem blocked again?

**chipset** · 09-14-2009, 08:51

Sounds like your evap coil is freezing over. Send it out to a reputable shop that actually
knows how to work on a refrigeration system and have them put the gauges on it. If they are any good at their job they can fix it. This is not a D.I.Y. project.