A/C Compressor not cycling off

FullOutPwr

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Jul 24, 2000

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Puyallup, WA

Aug 18, 2011

#1

• Aug 18, 2011

• #1

A/c blows cold, but the compressor clutch will not cycle off. I've searched and some have mentioned a cycling pressure switch and maybe it needs to be adjusted, but I can't find instructions or other info on how to. Any ideas?

I only have a low side gauge at the moment, but it's showing 38 psi dynamic pressure and obviously as the clutch will engage, its not low on pressure and the low side switch is working. High side issue or?

 

jrichker

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Aug 19, 2011

#2

• Aug 19, 2011

• #2

The pre 94 Mustangs had no compressor shutoff that was linked to a thermostat. The cold air temp was adjusted by the center mixing knob and the vent shutoff butterflies.

There is a low pressure cutoff switch which will turn of the A/C compressor when the refrigerant level gets below the safe operating point. That keeps the compressor form being damaged for lack of circulating oil. The oil in an A/C system circulates with the refrigerant, and low refrigerant means low oil supply.

 

FullOutPwr

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Aug 20, 2011

#3

• Aug 20, 2011

• #3

Well, currently no issues with getting the compressor on. The clutch will engage when I turn on the a/c and will get cold, however the compressor will not cycle on/off as is usual but is on 100% of the time until i turn the a/c off via the knob inside the vehicle if that makes sense.

So i guess the question becomes what makes the a/c compressor cycle on/off to regulate temperature etc and to ensure none of the a/c lines freeze? Compressor constantly on to get cold a/c cant be good for the compressor or for my gas mileage with a constant load

 

D

drexelsteve

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Aug 20, 2011

#4

• Aug 20, 2011

• #4

Sounds normal to me

 

jrichker

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Aug 20, 2011

#5

• Aug 20, 2011

• #5

FullOutPwr said:

Well, currently no issues with getting the compressor on. The clutch will engage when I turn on the a/c and will get cold, however the compressor will not cycle on/off as is usual but is on 100% of the time until i turn the a/c off via the knob inside the vehicle if that makes sense.

So i guess the question becomes what makes the a/c compressor cycle on/off to regulate temperature etc and to ensure none of the a/c lines freeze? Compressor constantly on to get cold a/c cant be good for the compressor or for my gas mileage with a constant load

Click to expand...

The A/C suction line will frost over on the outside depending on the temp and outside humidity: that's normal. There isn't supposed to be any moisture inside the A/C lines because that makes acid that destroys the A/C system. That's one reason the A/C system gets vacuumed down when it is opened up and all the refrigerant is drained out. The vacuum removes the air and moisture that can damage the A/C system.

The A/C compressor is designed to run constantly when the A/C or defrost is turned on. Yes, it does cause drag when it is running and that reduces gas mileage a little.

 

FullOutPwr

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Aug 21, 2011

#6

• Aug 21, 2011

• #6

.

 

JungleJoe

I was like well chit..Im missing something

Jul 25, 2011

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Mo.

Aug 21, 2011

#7

• Aug 21, 2011

• #7

Never heard of this. . . .Damn!