# AC Blowing Hot Air, but compressor is working and accumulator/drier is cold

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [May 30, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126 "2015-05-30T21:03:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kresso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@kresso](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kresso)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126/1 "2015-05-30T21:03:46Z")

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I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 4 WD 3.0 L Vulcan engine. When I turn on the AC it blows out hot air, in fact it feels like the heater is on. I have checked the pressures with a gauge and both high side and low side are within working ranges. Also when I turn it to some of the heater functions the AC compressor kicks on as well. I have tried turning the temperature dial between hot and cold but that doesn’t seem to change anything. I am not really certain where to look next any help would be great. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126/2 "2015-05-30T21:10:47Z")

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If the accumulator is cold and sweating with pressures fine you need to consider a failed blend door actuator or vacuum pod; whichever means is used to operate the door on this model.  
The blend door may be stuck in a position where airflow is going through the heater core.

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**Author:** ![kresso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@kresso](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kresso)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126/3 "2015-05-31T01:37:59Z")

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I access the blend door behind the glove box and moved it by hand it is working great. Now I have some time to do a proper repair without burning up. Thanks a ton!

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126/4 "2015-05-31T02:41:02Z")

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Yeah and I would check for a vacuum hose problem or you may have a problem with HVAC controller. I had a vacuum line drop down on the engine and get a hole in it and caused the system to go into default.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-blowing-hot-air-but-compressor-is-working-and-accumulator-drier-is-cold/90126/5 "2015-05-31T03:26:26Z")

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OP writes …

> Also when I turn it to some of the heater functions the AC compressor kicks on as well.

That’s probably normal. A vehicle’s AC will often turn on in defrost modes.