AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Friendly format provided to inquire about automotive a/c systems.
Archived Forum

Moderators: bohica2xo, Tim, JohnHere

tbirdtbird
Preferred Member
Posts: 1241
Read the full article
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Texas

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by tbirdtbird »

Typo?

We do not add freon to anything in this shop unless it is at least 80°.
If we do a total overhaul and are starting out with a totally empty system, we can charge by weight at any temp. But performance cannot be proven unless the ambient is at least 80
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com
User avatar
JohnHere
Preferred Member
Posts: 1196
Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 10:20 am
Location: South Carolina Upstate - USA

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by JohnHere »

Cusser wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:10 am Outside temperature is 48F ???? How the heck can you check out an AC system then ????
tbirdtbird wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:35 am Typo? We do not add freon to anything in this shop unless it is at least 80°.
If we do a total overhaul and are starting out with a totally empty system, we can charge by weight at any temp. But performance cannot be proven unless the ambient is at least 80
Touche.

I don't think it's a typo. OP said in part, "...outside temp was 48F as well."
Member – MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association)

Thankful for the responses you have received? Please consider making a monetary donation to this Forum.
Najeem
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 8:58 am

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by Najeem »

JohnHere wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 8:07 am
Cusser wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:10 am Outside temperature is 48F ???? How the heck can you check out an AC system then ????
tbirdtbird wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:35 am Typo? We do not add freon to anything in this shop unless it is at least 80°.
If we do a total overhaul and are starting out with a totally empty system, we can charge by weight at any temp. But performance cannot be proven unless the ambient is at least 80
Touche.

I don't think it's a typo. OP said in part, "...outside temp was 48F as well."
When I checked low pressures the temp was 72F during the day and at night when I checked the vent temp it was 48F outside.
Najeem
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 8:58 am

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by Najeem »

tbirdtbird wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:35 am Typo?

We do not add freon to anything in this shop unless it is at least 80°.
If we do a total overhaul and are starting out with a totally empty system, we can charge by weight at any temp. But performance cannot be proven unless the ambient is at least 80
I will check low and high pressures to get better idea but I'll hold off on everything else until temps rise to 80F. Thank you

Just the compressor cycling every 5 secs really annoys me especially on idle
tbirdtbird
Preferred Member
Posts: 1241
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Texas

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by tbirdtbird »

Suggest you not keep running the system until the issue is determined and fixed. If yours is a clutch-type comp, the clutch will wear out
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com
Najeem
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 8:58 am

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by Najeem »

JohnHere wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 8:07 am
Cusser wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:10 am Outside temperature is 48F ???? How the heck can you check out an AC system then ????
tbirdtbird wrote: Sat May 07, 2022 7:35 am Typo? We do not add freon to anything in this shop unless it is at least 80°.
If we do a total overhaul and are starting out with a totally empty system, we can charge by weight at any temp. But performance cannot be proven unless the ambient is at least 80
Touche.

I don't think it's a typo. OP said in part, "...outside temp was 48F as well."
Hooked up both sides and high pressure is at 220 psi then drops to 185 psi when comp engages. Outside temp was 66F

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mr1m728a227in ... M.mov?dl=0
tbirdtbird
Preferred Member
Posts: 1241
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Texas

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by tbirdtbird »

Ambient needs to be 80.
Pressures at 66 have no meaning
At 66, the system is not doing any work
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com
Najeem
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 8:58 am

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by Najeem »

tbirdtbird wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 5:54 pm Ambient needs to be 80.
Pressures at 66 have no meaning
At 66, the system is not doing any work
Thank you. I'll hook up again then at +80F
Najeem
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 8:58 am

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by Najeem »

Alright, outside temp was 87F today so hooked up the gauges again. Vent temp was 49-50F at max AC while driving.

The short cycling like before was gone but gauges still moved a little.
Low pressure - 36-37 psi
High pressure - 210-214 psi

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oiw0avixfhhaf ... M.mov?dl=0
tbirdtbird
Preferred Member
Posts: 1241
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Texas

Re: AC compressor keeps cycling every 5 secs

Post by tbirdtbird »

It seems we are getting somewhere.
That last set of pressures, what were the operating conditions?
RPM
Doors open
Fan Max
Temp setting Max cool
is what it should be.
Also, same ambient as you mentioned, ie 87 degrees?

This thread has gone on so much I do not recall if it was suggested that you had a leak?
After all, you did have to add one can of 1234YF
When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com
Post Reply