How to Replace an AC Cycle Switch on a 1991 Ford Escort

The 1991 model year brought about a new look for the Escort, as Ford dropped the boxy shape in favor of a more rounded and streamlined design. The 1991 Escort came in three trim levels, Pony, LX and GT. The Pony and LX models had an 88-horsepower, 1.9-liter engine and the GT had a high-output, 127-horsepower, 1.8-liter DOHC engine. On models with air conditioning, there is a small switch that measures the amount of pressure in the air-conditioning system and cycles the clutch off and on. Replacing this cycle switch is simple, but a professional must evacuate and recharge the system, as it may contain harmful R12 Freon.

Instructions

1

Take the Escort to a nearby automotive air conditioning repair shop to have the air conditioning system evacuated . Do not attempt to evacuate the system yourself, as it may have R12 Freon in it, which requires special certifications to handle and is illegal to discharge into the atmosphere.

2

Find the air conditioning accumulator, the roughly 8-inch-tall aluminum cylinder on the passenger side of the firewall. Find the electrical component on top of the accumulator; this is the air conditioning cycle switch.

3

Pry upward on the locking tab on the cycle switchs wiring harness, using a flathead screwdriver, and unplug the wiring harness.

4

Remove the air conditioning cycle switch from the accumulator, using an open-end wrench.

5

Apply a thin coating of a thread-sealing chemical to the threads on the accumulator. Allow the thread sealer to cure for the time specified by the sealers instructions.

6

Thread the cycle switch onto its threads on the accumulator, then snug it with an open-end wrench. Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the cycle switch.

7

Drive the Escort to an air conditioning repair shop to have the air conditioning charged with new coolant. Depending on the regulations at that shop or your local guidelines, the repair shop may have to retrofit your Escort to modern day refrigerant, which is R134a at the time of publication.