Ford Escape: Climate Control System - General Information / General Procedures - Refrigerant System Tests - 2.5L Duratec – Hybrid (121kW/164PS) (BG)

Inspection

1. NOTE: Procedure 1 — Ambient Temperature below 21 °C (70 °F).

   NOTE: Proper A/C system diagnosis on a vehicle’s compressor is dependent on correct refrigerant system charge and tested in ambient temperatures above 21°C (70°F). Perform the following steps to achieve normal operating pressures.

   Drive the vehicle or run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
   

1. Set the A/C system temperature to the highest possible temperature setting with the dual function disabled (if equipped). Manually set the blower on HI. If the vehicle has a fresh air/recirc button, set it to recirculation. If the vehicle has an A/C switch or compressor on switch, set it to A/C OFF.
   

1. Close all the vehicle windows and doors.
   

1. Allow the vehicle to idle for 5 minutes.
   

1. Confirm the cabin temperature is above 24 °C (75 °F). Set the A/C switch or compressor on switch to MAX A/C ON.
   

1. Allow the vehicle to idle for 5 minutes.
   

1. Turn engine off and proceed to procedure 2 — ambient temperature between 21 °C (70 °F) and 38 °C (100 °F).
   

Inspection

1. NOTE: Procedure 2 — Ambient Temperature between 21 °C (70 °F) and 38 °C (100 °F)

   Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
   

1. Connect the air conditioning service unit to the refrigerant system.
   

1. Set the A/C system temperature to the lowest possible temperature setting with the dual function disabled (if equipped). Manually set blower on HI. If the vehicle has a fresh air/recirc button, set it to FRESH. If the vehicle has an A/C switch or compressor on switch, set it to A/C ON.
   

1. Open all vehicle windows and leave the hood open for the test. Open the rear doors.
   

1. Confirm the compressor is operating and the engine cooling fan(s) are operating or engaged. Allow the vehicle to idle until the suction (low-side) and discharge (high-side) pressures are stable or fluctuate in a range that repeats.
   

1. Record the ambient (shop) temperature.
   

1. Record the discharge pressure. If the pressure is fluctuating, record the average value.
   

1. Determine if the discharge pressure falls within the normal operating limits using the Normal Refrigerant Discharge Pressures 21 - 38 °C (70 - 100 °F) Ambient (30 - 60% Relative Humidity) chart below.
   

1. Record the suction pressure. If the pressure is fluctuating, record the average value.
   

1. Determine if the suction pressure falls within the normal operating limits using the Normal Refrigerant Suction Pressures 21 - 38 °C (70 - 100 °F) Ambient (30 - 60% Relative Humidity) chart below.
   

1. NOTE: Use the following table to guide diagnosis of the refrigerant system if operating pressures are outside normal limits.

   NOTE: Proper A/C system diagnosis on vehicles with Electric Compressors is dependent on correct refrigerant system charge and tested in ambient temperatures above 21°C (70°F). Never replace an Electric Compressor without first recovering and recharging the A/C system to vehicle specification and retesting in ambient temperatures above 21°C (70°F).

   High (Discharge) Pressure	Low (Suction) Pressure	Component — Causes
   High	Normal to High	Condenser — inadequate airflow Active grill shutter (if equipped) or Cooling Fan improper function –– debris or blocked front end airflow Engine — overheating FHEV & PHEV high voltage battery coolant cooler capacity could be reduced.
   Normal to High	Normal	Refrigerant overcharge — air in refrigerant
   Normal to Low	High	A/C Compressor — low performance
   Normal to Low	Normal to High	A/C suction line — partially restricted or plugged.a
   Normal to Low	Low	Low refrigerant charge — leak in system A/C suction line — partially restricted or plugged. b
   Normal to High	Low	Internally restricted condenser or receiver drier, IHX restriction (suction line restriction).
   Normal to High	High	Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) not operating correctly –– not closing
   Normal to High	Low	Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) not operating correctly –– not opening
   Normal to Low	Normal to Low	Evaporator –– low or restricted air flow, evaporator temperature sensor bad
   Normal to High	Low	Evaporator internal blockage.
   Normal to Low	Low	Low refrigerant charge, A/C suction line restricted.
   High	Low	IHX line restricted (liquid line restriction).
   Erratic Operation or Compressor Not Running		Ambient air temperature (OAT) (AAT) sensor — poor connection A/C pressure transducer — poor connection Evaporator temperature sensor — poor connection Low refrigerant charge — leak in system High Side Restrictions (Cycling) (condenser, liquid line/IHX line restriction, receiver/drier restriction). Compressor operation interrupted by PCM or electric drivetrain controls.
   Additional Possible Components or Causes Associated With Inadequate Compressor Operation		Refrigerant pressure outside operating range. Insufficient (low) high voltage supply to electric compressor. High voltage battery coolant cooler stuck in position. Front evaporator shut off valve (if present) –– stuck in position Rear evaporator shut off valve (if present) –– stuck in position Suction accumulator (if present) — refrigerant oil bleed hose plugged Receiver drier (if present) — restricted

   
   

   a Low pressure reading will be normal to high if restriction is downstream of service access valve.

   b Low pressure reading will be low if restriction is upstream of service access valve.

   
   

Inspection

1. NOTE: Procedure 3 — Ambient Temperature Above 38 °C (100 °F)

   Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
   

1. Connect the air conditioning service unit to the refrigerant system.
   

1. Set the A/C system temperature to the lowest possible temperature setting with the dual function disabled (if equipped). Manually set blower on HI. If the vehicle has a fresh air/recirc button, set it to FRESH. If the vehicle has an A/C switch or compressor on switch, set it to A/C ON.
   

1. Open all vehicle windows and leave the hood open for the test. Open the rear hatch and/or rear doors (if equipped).
   

1. Confirm the compressor is operating and the engine cooling fan(s) are operating or engaged. Allow the vehicle to idle until the suction (low-side) and discharge (high-side) pressures are stable or fluctuate in a range that repeats.
   

1. Record the ambient (shop) temperature.
   

1. Record the discharge pressure. If the pressure is fluctuating, record the average value.
   

1. Determine if the discharge pressure falls within the normal operating limits using the Normal Refrigerant Discharge Pressures 38 - 49 °C (100 - 120 °F) Ambient (15 - 40% Relative Humidity) chart below.
   

1. Record the suction pressure. If the pressure is fluctuating, record the average value.
   

1. Determine if the suction pressure falls within the normal operating limits using the Normal Refrigerant Suction Pressures 38 - 49 °C (100 - 120 °F) Ambient (15 - 40% Relative Humidity) chart below.
   

1. NOTE: Use the following table to guide diagnosis of the refrigerant system if operating pressures are outside normal limits.

   NOTE: Proper A/C system diagnosis on vehicles with Electric Compressors is dependent on correct refrigerant system charge and tested in ambient temperatures above 21°C (70°F). Never replace an Electric Compressor without first recovering and recharging the A/C system to vehicle specification and retesting in ambient temperatures above 21°C (70°F).

   High (Discharge) Pressure	Low (Suction) Pressure	Component — Causes
   High	Normal to High	Condenser — inadequate airflow Active grill shutter (if equipped) or Cooling Fan improper function –– debris or blocked front end airflow Engine — overheating FHEV & PHEV high voltage battery coolant cooler capacity could be reduced.
   Normal to High	Normal	Refrigerant overcharge — air in refrigerant
   Normal to Low	High	A/C Compressor — low performance
   Normal to Low	Normal to High	A/C suction line — partially restricted or plugged.a
   Normal to Low	Low	Low refrigerant charge — leak in system A/C suction line — partially restricted or plugged. b
   Normal to High	Low	Internally restricted condenser or receiver drier, IHX restriction (suction line restriction).
   Normal to High	High	Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) not operating correctly –– not closing
   Normal to High	Low	Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) not operating correctly –– not opening
   Normal to Low	Normal to Low	Evaporator –– low or restricted air flow, evaporator temperature sensor bad
   Normal to High	Low	Evaporator internal blockage.
   Normal to Low	Low	Low refrigerant charge, A/C suction line restricted.
   High	Low	IHX line restricted (liquid line restriction).
   Erratic Operation or Compressor Not Running		Ambient air temperature (OAT) (AAT) sensor — poor connection A/C pressure transducer — poor connection Evaporator temperature sensor — poor connection Low refrigerant charge — leak in system High Side Restrictions (Cycling) (condenser, liquid line/IHX line restriction, receiver/drier restriction). Compressor operation interrupted by PCM or electric drivetrain controls.
   Additional Possible Components or Causes Associated With Inadequate Compressor Operation		Refrigerant pressure outside operating range. Insufficient (low) high voltage supply to electric compressor. High voltage battery coolant cooler stuck in position. Front evaporator shut off valve (if present) –– stuck in position Rear evaporator shut off valve (if present) –– stuck in position Suction accumulator (if present) — refrigerant oil bleed hose plugged Receiver drier (if present) — restricted

   
   

   a Low pressure reading will be normal to high if restriction is downstream of service access valve.

   b Low pressure reading will be low if restriction is upstream of service access valve.