A/C Compressor - Engine Hesitation or Surge: Overview

Article No.
00-5-1

03/06/00

^ HESITATION - DURING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CYCLING - VEHICLES WITH 2.0L 4V ZETEC ENGINE

^ SURGE - DURING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CYCLING - VEHICLES WITH 2.0L 4V ZETEC ENGINE

^ CLIMATE CONTROL - AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR CYCLING CAUSES HESITATION OR SURGE - VEHICLES WITH 2.0L 4V ZETEC ENGINE

FORD:
1998-1999 ESCORT ZX2

This TSB is being republished in its entirety to revise the Service Procedure and to include the 1999 model year vehicles.

ISSUE
A hesitation or surge when the A/C compressor cycles may occur on some vehicles. This may be caused by the torque requirements during A/C engagements/disengagements not being adequately compensated for or isolated by the engine support crossmember.

ACTION
1998 ZX2 vehicles: Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM), replace the A/C evaporator core orifice tube, replace the rear engine mount and replace the engine support crossmember bushings.

1999 ZX2 vehicles: Replace the engine support crossmember bushings and evacuate/recharge the A/C system.

NOTE
THE PROCEDURE CONTAINED IN THIS TSB ARTICLE MAY NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE ALL SENSATION OF HESITATION OR SURGE FROM THE VEHICLE. SOME SURGING OR ENGINE POWER LOSS WHEN THE AIR COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED/DISENGAGED IS NORMAL. THIS PROCEDURE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF SURGE OR HESITATION EXPERIENCED BY THE CUSTOMER. IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL STEPS OF THIS TSB BE FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF REPAIR SUCCESS IS ACHIEVED.