Like with most modern cars, the Ford Escape comes with an AC system that can keep you and your passengers cool during hotter days. Unfortunately, the AC is not always guaranteed to work, especially when something goes wrong with it.
When your Ford Escape AC is not working, you will likely want to learn how to fix it. I did the research, and here is what I learned!
Ford Escape AC Not Working (Try These 9 Fixes)
1. Bad AC Actuator
Your AC actuator is in charge of the airflow opening and closing to let cool air flow and control the air movement, which is in response to the car’s thermostat.
However, the AC actuator can become faulty, the actuator will not open and close properly, which often means that outside hot air will dilute the AC’s air within your car.
Generally, an AC actuator can go bad if you have a child that frequently plays with the AC switches.
Typically, it is ideal that you have your car brought to a mechanic since it is a technical job to fix the actuator.
2. Faulty AC Blowers
Another common reason why your Ford Escape AC does not work is because you have damaged AC blowers.
AC blowers are in charge of moving air into your car’s cabin, and they also control the speed that air flows into the cabin.
When your AC blowers are faulty, you may feel little to no air coming out of your cabin’s air vents even when the AC is on max speed.
Usually, you would need to ask a mechanic to ask what is wrong with your AC blowers since it can go bad for various reasons.
For instance, there may be lots of dirt clogging up the blower, which means you would have to clean the blowers.
3. Clogged Air Filters
Your car’s AC system has various air filters that keep dirt from getting stuck within your car’s engine and cabin, but the dirt can eventually clog the air filters.
When this occurs, there will be little to no air passing through your air filters, so no air may pass through your car’s cabin and engine.
For instance, there are filters in your AC’s vents that have to be cleaned roughly every 6 months.
If your AC vent filters are fine, you may want to check your cabin air filters, which are under your dashboard, and replace them if they are clogged.
4. Faulty Compressor
Your car’s compressor is responsible for keeping the AC running since it puts the refrigerant under high pressure before the refrigerant goes to the condenser.
When your compressor malfunctions, hot air will be blown through your AC because refrigerant will not circulate throughout your car.
Generally, it would be best to change your AC compressor altogether through a mechanic to solve your problem.
5. Bad Condenser
Condensers are crucial heat exchangers in your car that turn refrigerant from gas to liquid, which lets the refrigerant flow throughout the AC system.
Additionally, the condenser is responsible for turning hot refrigerant into cool refrigerant to cool car engine and blow cool air.
If you have a bad condenser, your engine will likely overheat while hot air gets blown into your car’s cabin, so you would need to replace your condenser.
Moreover, a condenser may not be damaged, but it can get blocked due to a build up of dirt, which means it just has to be cleaned.
6. Your Compressor Belt Is Bad
As stated earlier, your compressor keeps the AC running, and the compressor requires a lot of energy to stay functioning, which partially comes from the compressor belt.
Typically, compressor belts can go through wear and tear the longer you have had your Ford Escape, making the compressor belt weak.
When this occurs, your AC may not turn on, and you will likely have a hard time starting your car.
Usually, it is not advised to fix your compressor belt, so you have to replace it with a new compressor belt.
7. Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is important to keep your car’s engine cool and to blow cool air, but that will not happen if there is a refrigerant leak.
Typically, leaking refrigerant occurs due to damage in the joint, hose, etc. where refrigerant flows through.
If you find that the leak is coming from a hose of joint, you just need to replace that specific part and top off your refrigerant.
However, if there is a hole in a larger unit, such as a condenser, you will have to replace that part.
8. The Fuse Is Blown
Like with most electrical parts of a car, AC units come with a fuse, but if the fuse gets blown to protect the unit, your AC will not work.
Usually, you can locate where the AC fuse is on your Ford Escape manual and replace the fuse with another compatible one to solve your issue.
9. Overheating Engine
If your engine is overheating, your radiator fan will not work, which will keep your condenser from cooling your car.
When your engine overheats, it is best to see a mechanic ASAP as an overheating engine can cause massive damage to your car.
To know more, you can also read our posts on Ford CarPlay not working, Ford Focus key fob not working, and Ford Explorer AC not working.
Conclusion
When your Ford Escape AC does not work, it could be due to a blown fuse, faulty compressor, or weak compressor belt that keeps energy from reaching the AC unit.
Additionally, the AC can stop functioning when your AC vent filters or cabin filters get clogged.