2006 Ford F150 intermittent A/C issue (Easy Fix) Compressor Air Gap

Problem Summary: My A/C was working but would suddenly stop (usually after running for 15-30 minutes) and only blow hot air. Pop the hood, and see the compressor NOT spinning. Check the refrigerant and fuses... still no solution. Out of desperation, I pushed the A/C clutch plate and it started spinning. It would work for a while but eventually, stop again.
Check 100's of forum posts and finally found one that helped. www.f150online... was a great help. It linked me to this article (springerpop.com...) which described my problem exactly and I was able to fix it...
3500 miles later not one issue with the A/C.

[@rayadropofgoldenfun1618]

This is exactly the fix I needed. I spent way too much time suffering in the heat, and having mechanics shrug at me and charge for it. This took me less than ten minutes, and it WORKS!

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad it worked!

[@keemfresh2162]

Did you have to take the compressor off to fix the gap?? Or could it be fixed without removing

[@AaronGiesler]

@@keemfresh2162 nope, leave it on.

[@zanesnyder6229]

Thank you so much for making this video, now my truck FINALLY has ac back, you are a life saver and earned yourself a subscriber!

[@Texas_Armed210]

A sub?? That’s it maybe send him sum money

[@zanesnyder6229]

@@Texas_Armed210 wtf

[@AaronGiesler]

Thanks for the sub! Glad it worked.

[@rickyrickharris4908]

Chances are this is my issue as well if so i will sub too lol.

[@lakerspud8547]

Truck a/c has only been working part of the time. When working, cold air, then suddenly warm air. Watched this video looking for potential answers. Looked at my compressor and saw a large gap as described here. Took to my mechanic who did a complete system check for operation and leaks. He found this gap issue to be the problem. Removed front plate and cleaned it, and set proper gap. Runs like a charm. Thank you so much for this video. Compressor sits below oil fill pipe. 20 y/o vehicle had some past drips fouling it up.

[@AaronGiesler]

glad it helped

[@sandystrait3878]

Brilliant. Thanks. I've suffered with this for too long.

[@randyfults9952]

What’s the proper gap?

[@randyfults9952]

@@AaronGieslerwhat the proper gap?

[@lakerspud8547]

@@randyfults9952 Randy, I wish I could remember. Sorry. Seems to me I just eyeballed it a bit closer. Cleaning the front plate was probably the biggest help. Hope this helps.

[@tomspy666]

Thanks A-Aron! I did this and it fixed my issue, I was about to spend big money on a new compressor. There was only 1 spacer, so I removed it, cleaned up the gunk between the plates, and woohoo! it has been working ever since

[@AaronGiesler]

Nice work!

[@thephillyoffensive]

I did what you said. Ill be carrying around an old broom handle until I get it fixed! ty!

[@AaronGiesler]

Be careful, lots of spinning parts in there.

[@paulwise8679]

You my friend are a freaking genius. This might be the most American rig it video of all time. I have a cold truck again. Thank you!

[@AaronGiesler]

A redneck does what rednecks do!

[@gildo4realdo]

This was an excellent video describing the symptoms and how to see if yours has the same issue (ie 1 credit card gap vs multiple). I could see it in my head as you showed the top/bottom view and sure enough was able to do it. The spacer i pulled out looked like a little washer. Pulled it out, reinstalled plate, and now 1 credit card gap between the clutch plate and compressor. Awesome! I’m sure one day you have to replace this clutch… but not today! Thanks dude. Holding the plate still with a screw driver while you loosen/tighten the bolt is the hardest part due to little space but on my back under it, got it done. PS - you could see there was blue locktite on the middle bolt that comes out. For the thorough, you should put blue-tite back on. I forgot LOL. Also, its an 8 mm bolt head.

[@AaronGiesler]

it was hard but a cheap fix is nice...

[@dr.dougmiller6027]

You’re the man. Thank you so much for doing this video. That’s exactly what the issue it was with my truck.

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad it helped

[@shawnvandervort1681]

Your a genius bro! Ty! You solved my issue in my mother's pickup! I am also very cheap so I've been trying to solve this issue for as cheap as possible. And hers was doing the same thing, it'd work for 2 hours or so then stop. I replaced the relay, and the diode and still having the issue so I did exactly what you did and just started giving it a good whack and it would start working again but it was temporary. But I did like you said and it's been working great ever since!! THANK YOU!

[@ezriot3319]

Good info and video. My 05 F150 started this recently, now that it is super hot here. I did the broom handle thing to verify. Used a 8mm with a couple extensions and a pry bar wedged in there to hold it still while loosening the nut. Lots of brake pad type gunk in there was cleaned out and the spacer put back in. Kudos as this fixed the issue.

[@AaronGiesler]

glad it helped

[@Taintedwisdomaz]

You my man are the real MVP. Saving the little man big money. Thank you for your contribution.

[@AaronGiesler]

No problem.

[@mikelewis2707]

Have watched 100s of video on you tube....this one saved me this most 💰... Thank u sir!!

[@AaronGiesler]

glad it helped

[@Elwood350]

I just tried this with a broom stick and it started spinning again and I have AC! I’m going to try your remedy. Thank you for posting this video!

[@AaronGiesler]

glad to hear it

[@Elwood350]

@@AaronGiesler just an update, I took 1 washer out in order to tighten the gap and I have AC again. I appreciate you bro!! It’s 104 out here today!

[@nledelnr]

Do you have to completely remove the entire Air Conditioning Compressor or can you just remove the cover plate and remove the inner spacer?

[@AaronGiesler]

@@nledelnr only removed the front plate. Don't remove the compressor...

[@MRUIZPELAYO]

I have a 2005 F-150. Having same issue. Going to try to fix it same way u did. Hope that solves the problem. Thank u for making the video, just got yourself a new subscriber

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad it helped. Did it work?

[@marshallscott1022]

CAUTION: WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING YOU CAN BE SEVERELY INJURED IF YOU REACH INTO THE AREA WHERE THERE ARE COMPONENTS SPINNING AT HIGH SPEED!!! Had the very same issue with my 2004 F150, sometimes the AC system worked great, sometimes it would stop working while driving. For those of you that don’t fully comprehend what he’s showing you in this video.......when your vehicle is running and AC is on, when you watch the front plate of the compressor it should cycle on and off, (spinning and not spinning). The serpentine belt is continually spinning/driving the outer pulley, but the solenoid/clutch mechanism inside the compressor cycles on and off during normal operation, so the front plate spins and stops intermittently. When you hear the compressor solenoid activate (loud click), the clutch should pull the front plate in toward the compressor and start spinning, which moves Freon through the system. While the engine is running with AC on, if you hear the compressor solenoid “loud click” but the front plate doesn’t start spinning, the air gap may be too wide, or there is wear/dirt/gunk preventing the front plate moving in toward the compressor far enough to spin, or the solenoid is not being activated. CAUTION: DO NOT REACH YOUR HAND/ARM INTO THIS AREA WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING!!! Like him, after watching the compressor plate and seeing that it was never spinning when the solenoid cycled on and off (loud click), I also proved it by taking a long wooden handle and barely tapping front of the plate, and it started spinning. CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE FRONT PLATE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING!!! The air gap is adjusted by removing the center nut, removing the front plate and changing the shim thickness behind the front plate. CAUTION: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE FRONT PLATE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING!!!!! There may be other issues with your system, but if you don’t ever see the front plate spinning it will never move Freon through the system.

[@AaronGiesler]

good caution... I just used a small broom handle to tap that plate while it was running (still dangerous) but never used my hand or tried fixing it while running.

[@lwjw3184]

It's sad that you have to specify "do not attempt to remove clutch while engine is running" lol.... But as for Mechanic's, there are very few actual mechanics left in this country. Even though they hold the position that comes with the title "mechanic" they are nothing but certified parts changer's. Very few can still diagnose the simpleist of problems with a vehicle without relying on a handheld automotive diagnostic scanner/computer device. And there's no such thing as repairing an internal damage to an engine or fixing a repairable external engine accessory.

[@AaronGiesler]

they have to put a warning label on blow dryers to not use them in the show/tub... it was a good caution.

[@tmcorey1]

Fords have "shims" in their a/c compressor clutches, (little washers... always one, sometimes two), to achieve a .14 - .34 gap in the a/c clutch from the factory when new. When they wear and get some age on them, the magnet will get weak when it gets hot, and this wear combined with the weakness of the magnet will cause the gap to be too great for the magnet to grab the clutch and turn the compressor. Just remove one or both shims to move the clutch closer to the magnet, and it normally engages and will function normally until the magnet fails completely, (sometimes years down the road). The only concern is that sometimes the clutch will grind against the pulley when it cycles/ disengages if you take them all out. In this instance, just try a very thin shim back in there, (they come in different thicknesses), just enough to clear so there is no grinding when the a/c is off. 👍

[@HungarianVizsla21724]

I genuinely appreciate this air conditioning fix video for the 04-08 F150. Now if I could just figure out where my engine oil leak is coming from. Darn thing throws oil on the alternator, the belt, top & bottom of the engine. Its everywhere. Gotta add a quart every 30 days. Has 190k on it. Can’t find the source of the leak.

[@AaronGiesler]

You're welcome. No idea on the oil leak... I don't even have that truck any longer, I got a 2010 f150.

[@Akuza1000]

So to sum this up. You removed the center bolt. picked out the shim and re-tightened it ? or you pulled off the whole front pully?

[@AaronGiesler]

did NOT remove the pully. took the plate off and removed the shim, reinstalled.

[@James-mk2qj]

I’ve been having the same problem as for 5 years a/c work fine you get into a lot of traffic and At slow speeds it will shut off I want to drive while it will come back on again I’m gonna check to see if I have the same issue you did worse come to worse can always change the compressor but easy to check the small things first thanks great video and try to figure this out for a long time

[@AaronGiesler]

thanks

[@coryb8432]

That's the most long-winded explanation I've ever heard

[@AaronGiesler]

I was trying describe something... sorry.

[@coryb8432]

@@AaronGiesler no you're all good I was just being a whiny baby

[@jonathanvaughn496]

Did this yesterday, 100% fixed! Thanks a ton!

[@AaronGiesler]

You're welcome!

[@davidphilippe2754]

How did you get the wheel to stop spinning

[@AaronGiesler]

@@davidphilippe2754 a screwdriver wedged between the 3 metal studs on the outside. That stops it

[@ogres22]

Wow I have the same problem. I did what you did your short video have save me from broken knuckles, couple of days of aggravation and 600$ bucks if I could, I would shake your hand but anyway, thank you very much !!!!!!!!!!

[@AaronGiesler]

Great to hear! Enjoy the AC.

[@richardsmith5625]

I had the same problem did take the spacer out and have been driving for 8 months works great thanks

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad it helped!

[@Elcapulove]

Good afternoon family and thank you very much for the valuable information and for your time. 👍🏼

[@AaronGiesler]

glad to hear it.

[@patrickgardner4888]

Can you explain more how you used the screwdriver? Did you just use it as a lever to tighten? I had a hard time getting the center screw out and found no washer/spacer, but did clean out a significant amount of gunk out so hopefully that makes a difference. I was able to get it pretty tight back on, but worried it’s not tight enough. Awkward location to get both hands up there from underneath!

[@AaronGiesler]

just kinda wedged it between the little knobbies so I could turn the bolt.

[@douglasbaumgartner9222]

I have this issue on my excursion when parked. Gonna check it out!

[@americanchauvinist1210]

Result?

[@AaronGiesler]

did it work?

[@yakcrew_Fl]

Awesome!! Thanks so much hopefully this is my issue as well. My ac seems to work whenever it wants to 🙌🏼

[@alexboyd554]

what is it? is a line support?

[@alexboyd554]

pulley price 35 ebay

[@AaronGiesler]

Did it work?

[@A.C.71]

So at 4:50 are we talking about the center bolt that is 8 or 10 mm and also where exactly do you need to put the screw driver? So you don't touch the 3 bigger bolts that also look to be 8 or 10 mm around the center bolt that looks like it has a hole in the middle of it? I also have a big gap and no spacer..someone must of already took it out does that mean by replacing the clutch hub assembly ill fix that?

[@AaronGiesler]

the center is smaller, the screwdriver was to hold the plate still while I loosened the bolt. Not sure about the gap if there is no spacer... not sure if you could bend it a little to try and save money or fix it correctly by replacing the clutch, if that's what is really wrong with it.

[@hector5198]

Omg! This video just helped me to solve my trucks issue. Thank you very much my guy

[@AaronGiesler]

welcome!

[@johns7942]

Just had the compressor replaced last month on my 2010 f150 and flushed the condenser several times. It worked perfectly all month and is now blowing hot again (Texas). Low pressure line isn’t cold, it’s almost hot to touch. Wonder if this is maybe the issue

[@AaronGiesler]

Look at it while it's on and if it's spinning and the clutch isn't engaging this MIGHT be your problem.

[@askdadanything4143]

You're a savvy man. Good job and thank you. Got my ac back.

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad I could help.

[@richardsmith5625]

Love your video I did it on my f150 10 min removed spacer has worked great

[@AaronGiesler]

awesome

[@EddieMcKinney-g4j]

Mine will do the same thing after watching this video got me to thinking I sprayed the clutch with PB blaster and I had a bit of trouble since, it works for me hope it will help you to it's easy to try

[@AaronGiesler]

perfect

[@ryanretzer3549]

Thanks for letting me know about this!!!

[@AaronGiesler]

Happy to help!

[@hipmatt]

Hello from 2023 lol Okay so My truck doing the same thing. Gets cool then stops then gets cool then stops.... I come on the old youtube and start looking into things that it can be. I was getting ready to buy a compressor and the whole 9. Clicked on this video and I was like ... no way. I opened my hood and boom gap! Tomorrow I am going to take it apart and try it out. Ill come back with an update!

[@AaronGiesler]

that's awesome! Glad I could help. let me know if it works...

[@Maxine09]

Going to try this out tonight, mine only quits working when it’s working hard and every 15-30 minutes it quits. After a bit of waiting it will come back. I’m curious if as it gets hot it can’t pull the clutch in all the way to engage it or something like that. Can’t wait to have ac back full time

[@AaronGiesler]

that was similar to my situation... It's too hot to not have ac

[@nledelnr]

I got mine to start by tapping on the cover plate thingy. How hard is it to take apart and reassemble this? Do I need to remove the entire compressor or just the plate and the spacer?

[@AaronGiesler]

Not hard, just take the front nut out (you'll have to hold the plate with a screwdriver) and remove the spacer. Don't remove the compressor.

[@elizabethmyguguleboo0.o527]

Thank you 😊 so much for your explanations. I'm going to check my truck just like you did see if I have the same issue.

[@AaronGiesler]

Glad it helped

[@newgates7358]

I have 06 f150 and I’m having the same problem I’m gonna try it thanks for video

[@AaronGiesler]

welcome

[@bigfrank3113]

Thank you. I'm going to have to check mine. The dealership told me I have to have a complete a/c system replacement. Said there metal getting In all the a/c lines.

[@johns7942]

Hey I had the dealer tell me the same thing. They kept my truck hostage from March - May. Didn’t fix anything. Had the mechanic I usually go to take a look, he replaced the compressor and agreed if you do it right, flush the condenser several times. Worked perfectly for the past month but is blowing hot again now.

[@AaronGiesler]

yikes

[@harleynoskiye7593]

Awesome thank you my air conditioner stopped going off to for how long but then I seen this video and I hit it with the end of an umbrella and it went back on n the AC started working again lol

[@AaronGiesler]

You're welcome! You might have to do the whole repair if it keeps going off.

[@DiegoFerreira-hg5oi]

Thank you so much i have the same problem thought it was electrical cuz the compressor did engage, I just pulled mine off and there was so much dirt and mud behind it so cleaned it and put in back and now time will tell if it fixed it you get a sub and like for that:)

[@AaronGiesler]

No problem 👍

[@EatSleepRVRepeat]

I'm missing the center bolt. Can any one give me the specs on the bolt. I contacted Advance and O'Reillys and they say they can't find anything in their inventory. I sure can use some help. Thx

[@AaronGiesler]

No idea man... sorry

[@davidphilippe2754]

How did you get the wheel to stop spinning to take off the screw

[@AaronGiesler]

wedged a screwdriver in those nobs sticking out on the front and then used an impact to get the nut off.

[@Nvrskrd]

Man not only did you describe my problem 2 a t I think me and you are a lot alike thank you for saving me hours of cussing

[@AaronGiesler]

I'm glad you didn't have spend hours cussing. :-)

[@alexgonzales8757]

Bruh …. Genius.,.,. Keep up with all the videos

[@AaronGiesler]

thanks

[@elmore3279]

What are these 2 these 2 thin lines on top of the thick one for

[@AaronGiesler]

High and low pressure lines

[@gilbertrodriguez9471]

My ac only works while truck is moving. At a stop it starts blowing hot until it moves again. Do you think my issue is different? This compressor/clutch is only about 2 yrs old. The old one did the same thing, so it was replaced. It fixed the problem for about a year and a half but its doing it again.

[@AaronGiesler]

I really have no idea about that... sorry.

[@davoudi8866]

Mine doing the same thing when im driving its ok when I stop its a hot air, did u fix urs?

[@gilbertrodriguez9471]

@@davoudi8866 havent had time to mess with it.

[@ramonsapien7768]

Hey Gilbert, your A/C works when truck is moving. Getting air flow through the condenser. Sounds like you have a cooling fan issue. When stopped little or no air flow. Fan maybe slow (on it's way out), t-stat not turning fan on. I had similar problem. My fan connector plug was dirty, corroded and partially melted. No fan (behind radiator) no A/C. Hope this helps. Ray

[@gilbertrodriguez9471]

@@ramonsapien7768 that makes sense. I believe my fan is working but I will check that. I know when my ac clutch was out and needed replacement, ended up replacing the whole compressor with clutch. And the fan clutch was also bad at that time.

[@CharlieDelta29]

I need to check mine in the morning. hopefully its that easy and cheap for me to fix cause I'm broke.

[@AaronGiesler]

I hope it worked.

[@MarkKuehnel]

Had to take my truck to a local cheapy tire place to get a passenger side front tire fixed. Had the ac running While the guy had the truck jacked up and ac was fine . After he was finished fixing the tire I took off to fill up and ac just started blowing warn to hot air .

[@AaronGiesler]

that stinks!

[@The_white__f150]

Do I have to torque anything down to a certain spec?

[@AaronGiesler]

I just made it hand tight

[@bethanyg2761]

Slay!

[@AaronGiesler]

YAAAS

[@travissk5036]

Great Content. Thankyou

[@AaronGiesler]

thanks!

[@kevinsilvey858]

Sounds exactly like what mine is doing, except mine is an 04… I hope this is the issue.

[@AaronGiesler]

did it work?

[@wwebtime]

I'm gonna try this, but I think you mean the thickness of a card, not the size of one.... cool beans.

[@AaronGiesler]

yup, listen to what I mean not what I say... :-) Good luck and thanks for the clarification.

[@hunterdep1]

You can use a small ball peen hammer and tap on it and hit it with brake cleaner but you may trust your mechanic but it sounds like he sucks the ac on most vehicles aren't rocket science your clutch plate is wearing down and you will be replacing it sooner then later,this works for a while but the real issue is still there

[@AaronGiesler]

I did this myself after no one could really tell me what was wrong with it. It's been working for great ever since.

[@giorgiomx]

What if my AC Compressor is constantly turning on and off for some seconds each?, when is on for 10 seconds y can feel the air turning really cold and nice, then when turns off the air starts feeling warm then 8 seconds later it turns on again and air starts turning cold, 10seconds later turns off ...and so on so on. Basically I do have AC but by the time my single cab gets cool or somewhat nice I'm almost at my destination 🙄 Even when my black F150 truck is at the sun for hours and interior is boiling... why is the AC Compressor doing this $hit of turning on and off??, I know that if the compressor stays on the cab would get cold several times faster. It is a new AC Compressor and the previous one also did the same, for years, I didn't know something was wrong until I got into an old 1999 Ford Escort car and the AC air stayed cold from the start 🙄

[@AaronGiesler]

I'm not sure about that.

[@giorgiomx]

@@AaronGiesler It was low in coolant gas, technician refilled it and seems to be working fine now, if it goes low again then there's a leak, we'll see how it goes.

[@AaronGiesler]

@@giorgiomx good deal, glad you are staying cool

[@CHICOandtheVAN]

I"m trying this right now!

[@AaronGiesler]

did it work?

[@CHICOandtheVAN]

@@AaronGiesler Nope...I had a loose power connection. Pulled the connection and cleaned it out reconnected and waalaa!

[@AaronGiesler]

@@CHICOandtheVAN I love an easy fix!

[@CHICOandtheVAN]

@@AaronGiesler my issue was a loose connection from a rubber seal melting..al fixed

[@AaronGiesler]

gld you got ac back@@CHICOandtheVAN

[@jasonsanders49]

The clutch on the compressor wasn't working its a magnet that locks it in place

[@AaronGiesler]

gotcha, that makes sense.

[@elicose771]

That was easy!! Lol 😆 🤣 😂 thanks so much!!!

[@AaronGiesler]

welcome

[@88bozo88]

Called the clutch.

[@AaronGiesler]

Thanks man, yeah, I'm not a mechanic, just a guy who had a problem.

[@gloverboy82eg]

Omfg bro i just did this an my Ac working

[@AaronGiesler]

glad it worked.

[@jasonsanders49]

24 thousandths of an inch

[@AaronGiesler]

nice

[@phantom916]

Kind of lame you didn’t actually show the fix. I hate audio books.

[@AaronGiesler]

I didn't think about it until I saw a couple of other people with the same issue. I don't make many vids