I have a 2003 Ford Ranger Edge that’s having some issues, who would’ve thought. Every single time I change the climate control it hisses, even when the key isn’t in the ignition. Also, every now and then it will gurgle when I change the climate control after the A/C has been on for a while. It sounds like it’s coming from the middle of the dash so I’m sure it’s the blend door actuator.

A buddy of mine that’s more experienced than me vacuumed the A/C out and charged it not too long ago for me. I was told it didn’t hold the best vacuum so I knew I’d have problems down the road. I’m telling you every symptom it has and I hope someone on here can narrow the issue down.

Of course it has a leak somewhere, so the A/C compressor cycles about every 5 seconds. Occasionally, it will cycle much faster than that (2-3 seconds), probably due to the weather at that time. Can’t remember what mother nature was doing whenever it cycled that fast.

It’s also leaking water from the evap core. I know how to fix that, but I’m more worried about fixing the bigger issue. Currently, the A/C is blowing cool air, not warm, but definitely not Ford cold. I don’t know if this has anything to do with the issue, but ever since this problem started, the windshield started fogging up when A/C is on. Didn’t do that before.

So that’s what it’s doing as of now. Also FYI, all vents blow the same temperature. Like I said, I gave a description of every symptom hoping someone can narrow it down. I would like to use this as a learning experience to gain a further understanding on this stuff, so no taking it to a knucklehead mechanic to jip me out of some money just to diagnose it, but of course if I find the issue It will be fixed by a pro. I’d rather spend nothing read people’s suggestions on here and gain an understanding on what causes it.

Life is the art of drawing without an eraser and white out, and only 1 sheet of paper -unknown

1970 Suzuki T350 Rebel, 2003 Ford Ranger Edge, 1974 Honda CR125M Elsinore

 

First the fog
Its most likely from the the clogged evaporator drain you mentioned earlier
AC Evaporator dries the air from the fan, the moisture drips off the evaporator into a tray with a drain hose that comes out in engine bay, making that puddle of water behind passenger side front tire
Hose can get clogged, so the water stays in the tray and fogs up the window in the cab


Fast cycling AC compressor usually means low "freon" level
AC systems have 2 pressure switches
High pressure switch to prevent hose and connection "blow outs"
Low pressure switch to prevent compressor "burn out"

If "freon" gets low then low pressure switch cuts power to AC Compressor until more "freon" comes into that AC hose, this prevents the AC Compressor from "running dry" and burning out

Ac is the same for car, home even refrigerator/freezers
AC works by the Compressor changing the cool low pressure "freon" into HOT high pressure "freon", then this hot high pressure "freon" is slowly released into the Evaporator, which causes it to cool rapidly and then it goes back to the compressor to be compressed again to Hot and High pressure


First thing to do is to Test the pressure, on BOTH "sides", high and low, that's why AC testers have two gauges