AC kicking off and on every other second

[Gatemann]

Ac recharge

Same Problem.
A/c didn't work at all, so I added about 3/4 of the 18 oz can. the pressure while running and the a/c on is 47 PSI then the compressor clicks on, slowly drains the pressure down to about 19lbs, at which point the compressor stops, the pressure builds back to 47 PSI, repeat. I thought I must need to add more, and I probably do, but if I turn the truck off the pressure read 125 PSI. Is this O.K.? I didn't think the pressure jumped up so high when the truck wasn't running.

the 134a I added has lubricant in it.

Hi,I just did mine today and I used the whole can of Glacier Ice 18 onces,It cycled off and on with pressure from about 15(compressor off to 60 compressor on) I kept adding untill the cycling stopped and the pressure steadied at 35 or 40 this took about 15 minutes and now its working great.

 

[vidfix55]

Same Problem.
A/c didn't work at all, so I added about 3/4 of the 18 oz can. the pressure while running and the a/c on is 47 PSI then the compressor clicks on, slowly drains the pressure down to about 19lbs, at which point the compressor stops, the pressure builds back to 47 PSI, repeat. I thought I must need to add more, and I probably do, but if I turn the truck off the pressure read 125 PSI. Is this O.K.? I didn't think the pressure jumped up so high when the truck wasn't running.

the 134a I added has lubricant in it.

pressures with engine off usually run 20 to 25 psi higher than the ambient air temp. So if its 80 degrees outside the pressures on both high and low side should read approx 100psi. now keep in mind that if you just got done running your engine ambient air around the engine compartment will be much warmer so if it 80 out side, the ambient air around the engine compartment will probably be around 100-110 degrees so if you showing 125psi engine off but still warm then your OK. Those pressures are not that high. Come back in an hour or so, you see that the pressures dropped as the engine cools to ambient air temp.

 

[calylove]

Hey guys- great info here. I was told when i bought my truck 2 weeks ago that the a/c didn't "blow cold" I have not had the funds or time to worry about it yet but planned to look into it in a week or too. You know, closer to when summer ends!??!! Anyway, even if I don't have the a/c on i am hearing the same cycling every few seconds problem coming from under the hood. It doesn't bother me but i am worried that I am causing damage by leaving it. Should I disconnect power to the compressor until i can charge it next weekend? If so, whats the best way. If i do, will damage be done by the surpentine still spinning it without power?

Thanks for the help!

 

[ktnj]

Should I disconnect power to the compressor until i can charge it next weekend? If so, whats the best way. If i do, will damage be done by the surpentine still spinning it without power?

Thanks for the help!

When that happened to mine, I just pulled the fuse until I could look into it more. I didn't really worry about it. No damage should result without the AC clutch being engaged, which is not going to happen without power.

 

[calylove]

that's what i was thinking too. Actuallythought if picking up a belt fora truck without air so that i could bypass compressor all together. Maybe that would even increase MPG because the motor would be spinning one less accessory. It would be cool to be able to do this during winter and put regular belt on come summer. Any thoughts???

 

[vidfix55]

unfortunately you cant do that, the compressor pulley is in the way of being able to bypass. You would need a straight shot from alternator to PS pump. Non ac exp. have a idler pulley in place of the ac compressor. Just unplug the compressor clutch. W/o the clutch the ac compressor pulley spins free. You won't hurt anything by leaving it, the low pressure switch will shut system completly down if the levels get to low. I would look into why you ac is on no matter what. do you have it in defrost? I know its summer but some people have there cars in defrost b/c they don't like air blowing on there faces or feet. They just don't realize that when your in defrost (front, not rear) you ac is running to blow dryer air than ambient on the windshield.

 

[calylove]

Well- you know what they say, learn something new everyday. I had no idea that having it in defrost would keep it running. Infact, i didn't know i had it in defrost until i just ran out to look, just must have been from the last time i tried to run it. I did unpug it though and figure i can have a look this weekend.

Thanks

 

[AltairJr]

Hey guys- great info here. I was told when i bought my truck 2 weeks ago that the a/c didn't "blow cold" I have not had the funds or time to worry about it yet but planned to look into it in a week or too. You know, closer to when summer ends!??!! Anyway, even if I don't have the a/c on i am hearing the same cycling every few seconds problem coming from under the hood. It doesn't bother me but i am worried that I am causing damage by leaving it. Should I disconnect power to the compressor until i can charge it next weekend? If so, whats the best way. If i do, will damage be done by the surpentine still spinning it without power?

Thanks for the help!

If your explorer is a 92 through 94 (maybe even later years) where you have to push the fan knob in to toggle between air and a/c, if your a/c lines aren't charged but your a/c light is on (even if the fan is off) the compressor will cycle to keep pressure up for when you're ready (that's my theory anyway)

Toggling the a/c off stopped the cycling in my xplorer

 

[turtle83]

i just wanted to say thanks because of this info my merc now blows cold ac