AC System 95 V&Q

7-09-07
Refrigerant System
Service Access Gauge Port Valves
The refrigerant system has high-pressure (discharge) and low-pressure (suction) gauge port
valves. These valves allow service hoses and a manifold gauge set to be connected to the A/C
system so system pressures can be read.
The low-pressure (suction) service valve is located near the suction accumulator/drier. The highpressure (discharge) service valve is located on the liquid line extension from the A/C
compressor, near the A/C condenser core.

A/C Evaporator Core

The A/C evaporator core is located in the A/C evaporator/blower motor assembly. Low-pressure
liquid refrigerant from the A/C evaporator core orifice enters the A/C evaporator core and cools
the A/C evaporator core fins. Air from the blower passes through the A/C evaporator core fins
and is cooled and dehumidified before flowing to the passenger compartment.
A/C Evaporator Core Orifice
The A/C evaporator core orifice is a restriction between the high- and low-pressure liquid
refrigerant. This A/C evaporator core orifice meters the flow of high-pressure liquid refrigerant
that it receives from the A/C condenser core, and releases the liquid refrigerant to the A/C
evaporator core in a low-pressure condition. The A/C evaporator core orifice is located in the
condenser to evaporator tube. Filter screens are positioned on the condenser to evaporator tube
inlet and outlet ports. O-rings on the condenser to evaporator tube body prevent the liquid
refrigerant from bypassing the A/C evaporator core orifice.

Suction Accumulator/Drier
The suction accumulator/drier is mounted on the RH side of the bulkhead. The inlet tube of the
suction accumulator/drier attaches directly to the A/C evaporator core outlet tube.
Refrigerant enters the suction accumulator/drier and the heavier, oil-laden refrigerant falls to the
bottom of the suction accumulator/drier canister. A small oil bleed hole is located in the side of
the outlet tube near the bottom of the suction accumulator/drier canister. The bleed hole is
covered with a filter and allows a small amount of the heavier liquid refrigerant and oil mixture
to enter the suction line at a controlled rate. When the heavier liquid refrigerant and oil mixture
enters the suction line, it has a second opportunity to vaporize and circulate through the A/C
compressor without causing damage.
A desiccant bag is mounted inside the suction accumulator/drier to absorb any moisture in the
refrigerant system.
A fitting located on the top of the suction accumulator/drier canister is used to attach the A/C
cycling switch. A Schrader valve prevents refrigerant loss when the A/C cycling switch is
removed.

NOTE:
Replacement of the suction accumulator/drier is not required when repairing the air conditioning
system except when there is physical evidence of system contamination from a failed A/C
compressor or damage to the suction accumulator/drier.
Replace the suction accumulator/drier when:
The suction accumulator/drier is restricted, plugged or perforated.
A failed A/C compressor contaminates the air conditioning system.
A/C Cycling Switch
The A/C cycling switch, located on top of the suction accumulator/drier, monitors refrigerant
pressure and sends this information to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Electrical A/C cycling switch contacts, located inside the A/C cycling switch, control the
electrical circuit to the A/C clutch. When the A/C cycling switch contacts are closed, the
magnetic clutch coil is energized and the A/C clutch is engaged to drive the A/C compressor.
When the A/C cycling switch contacts are open, the A/C compressor magnetic clutch coil is deenergized, the A/C clutch is disengaged and the A/C compressor does not operate.
The electrical A/C cycling switch contacts will open when the suction pressure is approximately
169 kPa (24.5 psi). They will close when the suction pressure rises to approximately 276-324
kPa (40-47 psi) or above. Ambient temperatures that are below approximately 9C (48F) will
prevent the suction pressure from increasing to the point at which the A/C cycling switch
contacts close.

When functioning properly, the A/C cycling switch will prevent the A/C evaporator core from
icing, and prevent the blockage of airflow through the A/C evaporator core fins.
A/C Condenser Core
The A/C condenser core is an aluminum fin heat exchanger. Located in front of the radiator, the
A/C condenser core cools the compressed refrigerant gas it receives from the A/C compressor by
allowing the outside air to pass between its fins and tubes. As the outside air cools the hot, highpressure refrigerant vapor, the refrigerant condenses from a vapor state into a liquid state.
A/C Compressor
An A/C compressor serves two primary functions. First, it pumps refrigerant (R-134a) and
refrigerant oil throughout the A/C system. Second, it compresses low-pressure R-134a vapor as it
pumps it, greatly increasing the pressure and temperature of the R-134a. The A/C compressor is
driven by the power steering pump and the A/C compressor drive belt. The A/C compressor
circuit is completed when the climate control assembly A/C control button is pressed. Assuming
all A/C system components are operating normally, the PCM then energizes the compressor via
the A/C magnetic clutch assembly.
FS-10 A/C Compressor (some reports say this is not a reliable compressor)

An FS-10 A/C compressor is used in this vehicle. It is a Ford-built A/C compressor with a
displacement of 170 cc (10.40 in3) and is lubricated with a charge of Motorcraft YN-12b
polyalkylene glycol (PAG) refrigerant oil, or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSHM1C231-B. The evaporator to compressor suction line is mounted on the rear face of the A/C
compressor and is secured with a single bolt. A system pressure relief valve is located in the
discharge line.

Spring Lock Coupling

Spring lock couplings are used to connect A/C lines throughout the system. A spring lock
coupling is a refrigerant line coupling held together by an A/C tube lock coupling spring inside a
circular cage.
When the coupling is connected together, the flared end of the female fitting slips behind the
A/C tube lock coupling spring inside the cage of the male fitting. The A/C tube lock coupling
spring and cage then prevent the flared end of the female fitting from pulling out of the cage.
Two O-rings are used to seal the coupling. These O-rings are made of special material and must
be replaced with an O-ring made of the same material. Use only O-rings listed in the master parts
catalog for the spring lock coupling.
A plastic indicator ring is used with spring lock couplings to indicate that the coupling is
connected. After performing service operations, insert the tabs of the indicator ring into the cage
opening. When the coupling is connected, the indicator ring will snap out of the cage opening
and remain on the refrigerant line.
A/C Compressor Pressure Relief Valve
A high-pressure relief valve is installed on the evaporator to compressor suction line to relieve
excess high pressure buildups (3100 kPa or 450 psi and above) and prevent damage to the A/C
compressor and other A/C components.
Dual A/C Pressure Cut-Off Switch
The A/C pressure cut-off switch is a dual function device and is located on the A/C compressor.
It monitors refrigerant pressure and sends this information to the PCM.

Two sets of electrical A/C pressure cut-off switch contacts, located inside the A/C pressure cutoff switch control the electrical circuit to the magnetic clutch and the electric cooling fan. When
the A/C pressure cut-off switch contacts are closed, the magnetic clutch coil is energized and the
A/C clutch is engaged to drive the A/C compressor. When the A/C pressure cut-off switch
contacts are open, the A/C compressor magnetic clutch coil is de-energized, the A/C clutch is
disengaged and the A/C compressor does not operate.
When the electric cooling fan contacts are open, the fan operates at low speed. When these
contacts are closed, the cooling fan operates at high speed.
The A/C pressure cut-off switch contacts will control the operation of the A/C clutch and the
cooling fan according to the pressures shown in the following chart.
A/C PRESSURE CUT-OFF SWITCH OPERATION PRESSURES
High Speed Fan
A/C Clutch
Unit of
ON
OFF
Cut-In
Cut-Out
Measure
kPa
2241
1724
1379
2930
psi
325
250
200
425
All pressures in this chart are 138 kPa (20 psi).

SPECIFICATIONS
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND CAPACITIES
Description
Specification
Refrigerant Oil (Motorcraft YN-12b)
WSH-M1C231-B
Standard A/C System
210 ml (7.0 oz)
W/Auxiliary Rear A/C
300 ml (10.0 oz)
Evaporator Core
45 ml (1.5 oz)
Condenser
30 ml (1.0 oz)
Accumulator/Drier
60 ml (2.0 oz)
Compressor
75 ml (2.5 oz)
REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
Description
Specification
Refrigerant
R-134a (94-02 V&Q)
Refrigerant Charge Standard A/C System
0.9 kg (2.0 lb)
Refrigerant Charge W/Auxiliary Rear A/C
1.5 kg (3.25 lb)
A/C Compressor Oil Type
Motorcraft YN-12a (WSH-M1C231-B)
A/C Compressor Type
Ford FS-10 Swash Plate
A/C Cyclic Switch
Pressure to Open
Pressure to Close

169 kPa (24.5 +/- 1 psi)

324 kPa (47 psi)

A/C Pressure Cut-Off Switch

A/C Clutch In
1379 +/- 138 kPa (200 +/- 20 psi)
A/C Clutch Out
2930 +/- 138 kPa (425 +/- 20 psi)
Electric Cooling Fan On
2241 +/- 138 kPa (325 +/- 20 psi)
Electric Cooling Fan Off
1724 kPa
(250 psi)
A/C Evaporator Core Orifice
Color - Standard A/C System
Orange
Size - Standard A/C System
1.45mm (0.057 inch)
Color - W/Auxiliary Rear A/C
Blue
Size - W/Auxiliary Rear A/C
1.70mm (0.067 inch)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Description
N-m
A/C Condenser Core Bolts
6-8
A/C Cycling Switch
1.3-5.4
A/C Pressure Cut-Off Switch
7-12
A/C Manifold Bolt
18-23
A/C Compressor Pressure Relief Valve
6-15
Upper Radiator Hose Clamps
19-23
Upper Radiator Hose -to-Engine Hose Clamp Bolt 46-65
A/C Compressor Bolts
45-60
Compression Nuts
89-95

Lb-Ft
---13-17
-14-17
34-48
33-44
65-70

Lb-In
53-70
12-48
61-107
-51-132
-----