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AC compressor kicks on and off

CSVT#49

CSVT#49

Addicted CEG'er
Joined
May 28, 2004
Messages
6,771
Location
Andover, MN
So guys heres the issue... my AC blows hot air all the flipping time.

I put a gauge to the low side port (I don't have one for the high side) and when the AC is turned on MAX the compressor kicks in pressure continues to build until the gauge reads into the red and then (I'm assuming) the pressure switch kicks on and turns the AC compressor off. This continues to repeat as long as the AC is on.

So is this just due to a low charge of refrigerant? Or is there something else going on here. Any help would be appreciated.
 
don't know. need to know what the high side is doing also but it sounds like the charge is low. need to check for leaks and properly refill.
 
Since you're low in the first place you have a leak somewhere and it sounds like you have air in the system. See about renting a gauge set and a vacuum pump from an autoparts store and see if it will pull and hold a vacuum.
 
Well I just went out and charged it and it is blowing cold air now and the compressor is no longer cycling like a mad man. So I can't complain.

The system had never really been working that well when I first got the car back in 04/05. The guy that had put my motor in for me while I was in college said that he had 'topped off' the refrigerant. Well now this summer when I went to use it I had it cycling as I had explained. I guess there is a slow leak somewhere... but I needed cold air for my wedding Friday! So after my honeymoon I'll probably look into it closer.

I was just looking for the response that the system was low on 134a. As I did not want to be over charging the system. Now the gauge reads in the blue, or full range. So for the time being all is well.
 
I have a gauge for the low and high side if you want to check it :cool:

Mine (cougar) is also a little low and kicks on and off every few seconds. I need to have what I've got left drained so I can put the new valve in and hopefully fix the leak before I add more though :)
 
Redlineracer12 said:
I have a gauge for the low and high side if you want to check it :cool:

Mine (cougar) is also a little low and kicks on and off every few seconds. I need to have what I've got left drained so I can put the new valve in and hopefully fix the leak before I add more though :)
Click to expand...

Could have brought those to the meet, ya know. :laugh:
 
Redlineracer12 said:
I have a gauge for the low and high side if you want to check it :cool:
Click to expand...
ohsnapec3.gif
I'll hit you up when I get back. Probably have sometime to do it the week of 7/7.
 
the A/C compression should not run continuously unless is well over 90~100 degrees.

you will not get the best performance out of the AC system unless you bring it to a vacuum first then fill the system.

The system take 24 oz of R-134a and you need to monitor both the high and low side pressures to make sure they are in spec for the ambient temp.

another way is to check the shop manual and it will have a table of on and off times for the compressor given the ambient temp.
 
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