AC ran warm in traffic

[LurchOR]

First time in warmer temps this year and had this experience. Ambient temps were in the low 70's, traffic was stop and crawl for about 20 minutes as three lights had to be worked through by a line of cars 1.5 miles long. Started to notice cabin temps were rising so I bumped the AC down a couple of degrees...and nothing changed. Continued to blow coolish air (technical term for air not as cold as one wants/needs) until I cleared the jam and resumed speed. AC then began to perform as expected. Next day had a similar experience in stop and go traffic. Underperformance unless vehicle was in continuous motion. I was so perplexed by this issue I forgot to switch displays and check coolant temps . (damn you fancy gauges)

I happened to be at a Ford dealer the next day and asked a service advisor if he was getting any similar complaints. He said no, not on the Ranger. I didn't have time to leave it for evaluation so I haven't had it looked at yet. Back in the PNW now so it'll be a few weeks before any chance of duplicating higher temps presents itself.

Anyone out there with a similar experience?

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[Msfitoy]

Was the engine off becaue of Auto stop? AC stops when your engine stops...if you stop and go for a while, truck will get warmer and warmer...

 

[Zaph]

Really? Auto stop/start works that way? Sheesh another reason to hate that.

 

[Msfitoy]

Really? Auto stop/start works that way? Sheesh another reason to hate that.

I'm pretty sure the AC compressor is run by the engine...our tiny 12 volt battery won't be running the AC for sure...

 

[SOHK_Alumni]

I've seen my 2019 restart the engine spontaneously to maintain a/c temps, but maybe a feature of the automatic climate control?

But, the symptom is classic bad radiator fan clutch.

 

[levimac`]

I'm pretty sure the AC compressor is run by the engine...our tiny 12 volt battery won't be running the AC for sure...

For sure if the engine isn't running the engine fan is not running for the ac to cool the vehicle when the stop star is on, so turn off the stop start each time you stop when in a line of traffic. If you stop multiple times in a row you have to turn the stop start off each time so the engine fan can cool the ac condenser ect...

 

[Fjsteven]

Star stop will turn the engine back on if the temp increases a couple degrees. Whe the air starts gettin a little warmer mine would always restart and would indicate engine on for heating/cooling. It gets real hot here so I saw it in action a lot.

but your issue does sound like the fan clutch assuming you engine is not turning off.

 

[Msfitoy]

Star stop will turn the engine back on if the temp increases a couple degrees. Whe the air starts gettin a little warmer mine would always restart and would indicate engine on for heating/cooling. It gets real hot here so I saw it in action a lot.

but your issue does sound like the fan clutch assuming you engine is not turning off.

It could also be that AC isn't on auto...WTH is OP?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

It could also be that AC isn't on auto...WTH is OP?

Hi Sid,

On the Taco forums?

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Fjsteven]

My climate is almost always on auto, so that might be a parameter for it to shut off.

 

[Msfitoy]

My climate is almost always on auto, so that might be a parameter for it to shut off.

Almost? So it's possible when it's not on auto, the engine would not turn on if auto stop has not been turned off...it would be helpful for us to help you figure this out if you could elaborate more on your situation...like is your auto stop on or off? Is your climate on auto or sometime? Have you noticed that your truck actually shutting down while in traffic jam?

 

[acsnowrider]

was 85 degrees here today in Phoenix, and I leave my Start/Stop on--engine restarts/shutsdown with A/c need/Temp automatically, but my system is just the "basic" being a XLT version. Have not had any issues so far on cooling level--does sound as tho your "fan" wasn't engaging/cooling

 

[quirkybar8]

It could also be that AC isn't on auto...WTH is OP?

Oregon would be my guess

 

[SOHK_Alumni]

It could also be that AC isn't on auto...WTH is OP?

Context? Commonly, OP is "Original Poster" ie, Thread starter

 

[Motorpsychology]

It could be the radiator fan clutch or one of its actuators- does the engine temperature also rise in stopped traffic? When moving , there is enough air moving through the condenser/radiator assembly to cool the coolant and refrigerant. But when moving slowly or stopped, the radiator fan clutch engages to boost airflow through the cores. If the engine temp remains in the normal range when the A/C fades, that could be low refrigerant, bad refrig, temp switch condenser temp switch.

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