Hey guys, 2002 Ranger 3.0 V6 - 115,xxx Miles. Auto

In a nut shell, it's taking FOREVER for the A/C to blow cold air. Basically, after the truck has been sitting for say, 8 or more hours (first thing in the morning, or after work), the A/C will take anywhere from 5-10 minutes to begin blowing icy cold air. During those first 5-10 minutes it's blowing hot humid air, like from outside. Then all at once it begins blowing ice cold air. My girlfriend is the primary driver, so I can't say exactly what is going on when it happens. I've only driven it once or twice since it's started doing this, and the only thing I can say is that it sounds like vents close when it starts blowing the cold air, but I'm not entirely sure.

Low freon? Charge? The vents not closing fast enough? Vacuum? Compressor? Not very familiar with the A/C system so any help would be greatly appreciated.

We bought the truck used with about 100,xxx miles maybe a year ago. The A/C had always worked great, shooting icy cold air within a minute or so of startup. Only recently has it started with this issue. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Could be a problem with the blend door actuator.
Use the search button for that term.

 

For anyone who searches here in the future:

Free Ford Blend Door Fix
98 Blend Door - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Thanks OTRtech - I'll be tinkering around with it this weekend.

 

well it sitting a long time in the florida heat isnt helping things much either

 

That's what I was telling her at first. But after I started driving it, I noticed it does take a lot longer to hit ice cold air than when we first bought it. I'm still thinking it just needs a charge due to a leak because after that 5-10 min. period of blowing hot humid air, it's a quick change to ice cold air, no transition or anything. It used to take only maybe a min. of hot air before blowing cold air when we first bought it. I'm usually close to my destination by the time it starts blowing cold air.

 

You could also have a slipping clutch on the compressor.
Have someone turn on the A/C while you are watching the clutch to see if it is engaging .

 

Yeah finally got under the hood yesterday. I believe it is indeed the clutch. It was a good 5 min. before it finally kicked on. I've never worked on it but a mechanic buddy of mine told me if I can wait til later this week, he'd help me take it apart and maybe shim it.