The A/C in my wife's 98 escort was starting to work off and on but now it has quit all together. The clutch isn't engaging so I took it to work and recovered the charge .To my surprise the charge was bang on .79kg. So I pulled a vacuum on the system and recharged. I tried jumping the low pressure switch and a/c cycling switch but no go, still could not get the clutch to engage. Checked the interior fuse panel but the fuse was good too. At this point I was out of ideas and didn't have proper information material with me to check anything else. I got home and looked at my ALLDATA program and see that the A/C runs through the power control module and the constant control relay module. I figure that either the micro switch is not working or one of the modules are messing up.

How can I test these modules? Do you guys know of some common issues with these a/c systems that I am over looking?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Sounds like the A/C relay in the CCRM. This is a very common problem on '97-'03 Escorts. That's the way they usually go out. They will quit working part of the time then stop completely. I had to replace the CCRM in my '02 about a year ago for the same reason. I have one listed for sale in the following link. If you need one send me your part number and I'll see if I have a match or not. A new CCRM will cost somewhere between $200-$300 from a Ford dealer.


https://www.fordforum.com/forum/private-sale-trade-classifieds-64/ford-ccrms-sale-17324/

 

where is this Constant Control Relay Module located?

 

It is located on the front passengers side of the engine compartment underneath the air filter housing. You have to unclamp the intake tube from the air filter housing, remove the 3 bolts (13MM I think) that hold the filter housing in and remove the filter housing. The CCRM will be a black metal box approximately 5"X4"X2". It is held onto the bracket with 2 small screws (5MM I think).