Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting A/C compressor cycling?

I have read about the SVT's a/c cycling in other posts, but every 5 seconds! 5 on/5 off. This can't be right! It's not noticeable on the highway but driving on city streets is like riding a bucking bronco. I complained about it to the dealer while it was under warrenty and they said that's the way it's suppost to work. Is this true. I have checked the suction pressure and it's at 45 psi. Any one come up with a fix for this?

Rapid cycling is a symptom low refrigerant level. Compressor should turn on when the low side is at ~40psi and run until it reaches ~20psi.

When you add R134a, place the can in a pan of warm water, keep the can right-side-up (so you introduce gas, not liquid). Add a little bit at a time and let the system stabilize, until the compressor cycles normally. Be sure not to overcharge - the performance of R134a systems seriously degrades when there is too much refrigerant.

AL

I would not blindly add R-134a to your system. Youc can very quickly overcharge your system and not know it, which could ruin expensive parts or be quite hazardous. You should have a leak test done and the leak repaired. Otherwise even if you get the correct charge, oil often leaks out as well as refrigerant and you may ruin the compressor from oil starvation. Just my 2 cents, but good luck fixing it.