Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting ac cylcling ALL THE TIME? Anyone,,,,,

On my 97 v6, I am noticing that my AC seems to be cycling on and off every ten seconds. I thought it might need to be topped off, but am bnow curious as to why this is doing it.

As I drive at 55 I can feel it in the gas pedal when it cycles on and off. The car seems to jump a bit when it cycles off then slow when it kicks in again in about ten to fifteen seconds...

What could be causing this symptom? I mean when its on for the fifteen seconds its ICE cold?

Thanks
Spankey

Classic symptom of low charge.
Compressor comes on, low pressure switch turns it off. Cycle repeats.
The right way to fix it is with a set of manifold gauges so you can read the operating pressures and bring the charge back up.
A cheapie way would be to pick up an inexpensive Interdynamics recharge kit. SLOWLY add 134a until the frequent cycling stops.

AL

Yep, sounds low. You can get a 134a recharge kit w/ the pressure guage at Wal-Mart for around $25.

Word to the wise - if it does it again in a month or so, you have a leak. Trust me, I know

Although mine does the same thing....always did, I would have to agree with the above. HOWEVER, if you were to take your car to Ford while still under warranty you would hear that famous Tech response: "THEY ALL DO THAT"!!!!!

One thing they ALL do is eventually leak a bit at the compressor o-ring seals - even with the newer Viton material.

You can pick up an Interdynamics kit at K-mart or Walmart with some seal conditioner/leak preventer that does seem to help.

In any case you just want to 'top off' the charge until the rapid cycling stops. The performance of R134a systems rapidly degrades if it's overcharged.

AL

Perhaps, but mine is much more fun than that - I actually have a cut in one of the hoses on the high pressure side :DOH!:

I think Ford did it when I had the waterpump replaced 'cause I never had an issue for 3 1/2 years before that. One month later and I noticed I'm spewing freon (it takes about a month to fully leak out - I know because I refilled it before I realized what happened). Can't prove it, though...

Thanks guys-

You can buy the new coolant at wallmart? I thought you needed a liscense or something or is that for the old stuff????

Thanks again

Spankey

Do yourself a favor and check for leaks oilly residue around connections and a recent CEG find, look under the power steering reservior, the clamp fingers on pwr steering line maybe rubbing on the AC's high pressure line directly underneath.
Paul

For now, you can buy R134a over the counter without a license.

AL

Although this is the classic symptoms of low refrigerent there is another item that causes problem more often than it should. The low pressure switch itself if bad can cause the same symptoms.