AC condenser clutch kicking in every 3 seconds?

[Navajo94]

My AC condensor is starting every three seconds and will not keep going. I have no cold air. Anyone know if this means the condensor is shot or just needs repair.
Please help

 

[1994sploder]

is the system low

sounds like the system is low on refrigerent you may have a leak some where

 

[frickea86]

no, i have this same problem, is it when ur at idle...? If so mine does this all the time, what it is is the IAC Valve not keeping the engine at the right idle, everytime mine kicks in the engine goes way down and then the IAC rasies the rpms and when it does the Compressor kicks off and then on an off so i haven't got around to getting a new IAC, hopefull sometime this week.

 

[squd92expsp]

Most likely just low on refrigerant. Make sure the recharge includes dye so if there is a leak, you'll be able to find it.

 

[Navajo94]

anyone charge it yourself. is it worth doing or just take it to a shop?

 

[Glacier991]

You can do it yourself, but candidly it may just be easier and betetr to take it to a shop. What happens is that there is a low pressure cutout on the "low" side. When the compressor starts running, the high side builds up and the low side drops. If it is alrady low, it will quickly drop below the cutout pressure and the clutch will disengage. The high and low side then start to equalize, and as soon as the low side reaches a certain pressure, the clutch kicks back in, and the process repeats. Over and Over.... never really doing enough to produce cold air. In the useful threads section of this board there is an extensive article on auto A/C.

 

[1994sploder]

you can do it your self and it really isn't that hard to do may i am being modest since i have done it quit a few times what ever you feel most comfortable with do it that way

 

[1994sploder]

i forgot to mention you can check to see if you pressure cut out switch is bad unplug in and use a jump wire to jump the connection and if that solves the problem then there you go just a cheap simple insurance before spending any money