|
|
AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 4, 2011, 11:05 AM
Post #1 of 16
(40565 views)
|
|
AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
2002 Pontiac Sunfire. 63k miles
2.2 OHV (not the Ecotech engine that was being introduced that year) so its set up on the more older version of the platform
Ok, me being poor and having and AC issue do not match obviously.
I am trying to diagnose as much as I can, and If I can fix it, that is fine, and if not, then I can at least put in free labor hours and tell a shop (reputable of course) WHAT to fix.
On to the meat and potatoes.
Regardless if Idling or driving, The A/C Compressor clutch cycles on and off constantly. There is no pattern to it. Its fairly quick and sporadic. Pressure on low side ranges from 35-45 psi. I added just a quarter can of refridgerant to it just in case it is low to see if it alleviated the situation. I didnt want to add more in case I overcharged it. I cant seem to find a low or high pressure switch on this car. Nor does the repair manual reference it at all. I swapped Compressor Relays with a 2004 Cavalier someone I know owns. No changes. Checked every Fuse related, found nothing. Eye balling the Clutch, it engages and disengages in a very precise and clean manner. By that I mean it doesnt seem to hesitate. Clutch does not seem bad at all. I have seem a bad clutch slightly catch and partially work and not work (though I am not a professional). Any more advice? I read often about jumping this relay or that connector and am not knowledgable in this area.
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 4, 2011, 11:47 AM
Post #2 of 16
(40561 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
You really shouldn't be messing with this. There are so many ways you can both damage the system and get hurt. It sounds like it's low on refrigerant but an internal blockage could act the same way and it's very difficult to tell the difference so i don't recommend putting refrigerant into it blindly. Even if it is low, that would mean it has a leak and that would have to be found and repaired. Don't go jumping any switches either or you'll end up taking out your compressor. You just need to get it to a professional to be diagnosed correctly. Most shops will diagnose for under $50.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 4, 2011, 11:59 AM
Post #3 of 16
(40554 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Are those the only things that could cause it to cycle the way it is? Low on refrigerant or a blockage (which makes sense since it would choke the compressor of refrigerant). I understand I should not be messing with this. Though I do under stand the theory behind the system as a whole. I dont exactle have the equipment to fix it. Barring having a shop evacuate it and me replace the parts myself, which is feasible. But, it is good to know that many shops can diag the issue for 50 buckaroos.
Can I then pick your brain for a moment. Would my car NOT have refrigerant pressure switches that detect wether or not damage could occur to the compressor? I am trying to pretty much fully understand my situation and all the probable causes for the AC system based on the symptoms. Example: I dont want to take it in and get ripped off by a tech stating its the Accumulator, he replaces it to gouge me for cash and it actually be a clogged Orifice Tube. That way I have to come back and pay more for something that could have been fixed. And it just occurred to me that I should blow the dust off of my multimeter :)
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 4, 2011, 12:24 PM
Post #5 of 16
(40546 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Woah, no need to take it personal. I accused no one single person, including you. I am merely stating that not all shops are honest and are trying to understandably make money. Everyone has to realise there are not so honest people in their profession of choice and we run into them at our work on a constant basis. As we are people, dishonesty happens.
I personally feel you took a rude approach and have profiled me.
If you reccomend to take it in for Diag, I understand and will be taking it in as it seems to not be as expensive as originally thought.
I may not be capable of fixing this myself. But as stated, I would prefer to have knowledge of what can cause this.
I see nothing but upfront full answers in every other post of what could be causing it regardless of anyone's experience.
Simply put, at this point I am not going to take an attempt at the repair of my AC system as 400 dollars could turn into 1200 dollars really quick. I would like to be educated on the causes of a sporadic cycling AC Compressor. This is my attempt to educate myself as a consumer. We live in a Capatalist nation. The translation for that is Buyer Beware and I am trying to be aware.
If you fault me for that, then I dont know what else to say.
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 4, 2011, 12:31 PM
Post #6 of 16
(40542 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
I PROFILED YOU?!!
You're the one that just blanketly assumed you were going to be ripped off by some tech while at the same time asking one for free advice.
We are not in the habit of advising inexperienced people on systems that are dangerous so my advice stands. Let a professional look at it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 4, 2011, 12:44 PM
Post #7 of 16
(40538 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
It was not my intent to blindly lay blame on the entire Tech community. I understand your position regarding the situation in terms of inexperience and possible harm to myself. I dont intend to argue with you regarding that but you are taking something personal that shouldnt be.
It is not a situation that is blown out of proportion. People unfortunately get taken advantage of often enough for it to a valid concern for consumers. I did not accuse all Techs. But I cant go in somewhere and slap my cash on the table on blind faith. That is called gambling and I dont gamble. Sorry if I offended you in that manner.
What else is this forum for than for offer free advice on diagnosing problems, fixing problems, and educated on the scope of the problem? You are acting like I am trying to TAKE something from you, being a Tech, whom is patrolling this forum for free (I assume).
Regardless, I intend to seek education elsewhere. I am fairly certain you will be happy with that.
Best regards.
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 4, 2011, 12:58 PM
Post #8 of 16
(40531 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
If you read through our A/C forum much, you would have seen that it is not unusual for us to decline advice to novices when it concerns refrigerant related problems that they are not equipped or knowledgeable enough to handle safely.
We do respond to problems concerning electrical or air mix issues with people that don't insult our profession.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 4, 2011, 1:08 PM
Post #9 of 16
(40528 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
There we go again, I am also a blue collar worker. I did not insult your profession. If you think dishonesty existing in your profession is an insult, then I dont know what to tell you.
I see dishonesty in my profession as well. I clean up other's messes. And try to own up to the messes I create.
Inexperienced users being given advice that could harm them. Sure, for liability AND moral's sake, I cant disagree.
But if you think that the reality of dishonesty doesnt exist in your field and that the thought of a non-Tech claiming that that is possible is an insult directed to you personally, then I can only assume delusion.
I do NOT insult your field, hell, I respect it as well as anything technical as its the backbone of any society and economy. But I do recongize the opportunity for scamming to occur. I am sorry if you dont agree or even think its in the ballpark of being true, or that an attack on one guilty is an attack on all innocent.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2011, 6:12 AM
Post #10 of 16
(40512 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Kyle - there's no more dishonesty in automotives than any other trade. A/C requires extra know how. First post you said YOU wanted to tell a tech what to fix. Try that and if it doesn't work - you own it. Happened ages ago now but an arrogant customer demanded of me calling me "boy" to replace alternator. So I did. Car didn't charge after new alternator and he was ticked. My response was you didn't ask me to fix the car but rather demanded a part be replaced and I did - perfectly. Now do you want it fixed?
Read the top, locked post on what it takes just to charge up a known working system - never mind a zillion possible problems. Cost of proper equipment is prohibitive for most for doing this stuff,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 5, 2011, 7:28 AM
Post #11 of 16
(40501 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Everyone has to realise there are not so honest people in their profession of choice and we run into them at our work on a constant basis. As we are people, dishonesty happens. Of course, I completely agree with you as also stated above. Regardless. I would prefer to know if, beyond a clog in any of the numerous parts, and a low charge/leak, can anything else cause a cycling compressor? I keep reading on forums about pressure switches, which I cant seem to find anything on in my own Haynes manual. Im not trying to tell the Tech what to do. But if, per say it is cycling and he tries to explain to my the compressor is completely seized even though my air can blow cold sometimes, I might question him/her. Then again im not even sure if a seized compressor could cause the issue. I want to know the line of when I should get a second opinion. Back to my question, in summary: Is it possible to not have pressure switches for refrigerants on some cars? And can anything else cause it? I have scheduled to have my car dropped off in the morning to a gentleman recomended to me and I want to know as much as I can going into this.
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 5, 2011, 8:04 AM
Post #13 of 16
(40490 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Understood.
Well I am crossing my fingers and hoping the repair doesnt rack up to 1 grand 
Thanks for the information.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2011, 8:04 AM
Post #14 of 16
(40490 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Kyle - If you find a clog or if CCOT system w O tube w debris there's a super high chance that just replacing it won't work. Indicative of compressor trowing debris thru whole system possible.
Here's a site, friendly to this one and generally we don't allow links but go to "Knowledge Base" for tons of info.............
http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php?sid=7acf1fcd552e644d7d8eeeb77edc058a
I think you'll find out there's lots more to this than meets the eye. Knowing how it works or should work is never any harm for anything IMO. This is real touchy for DIY stuff. A wrong move could put you right back to square one in minutes or make things worse.......
T
|
|
| |
|
|
KyleH
Novice
Apr 5, 2011, 8:13 AM
Post #15 of 16
(40482 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
Perfect link. Already reading section labeled How Refrigerant Flows through the System
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2011, 8:33 AM
Post #16 of 16
(40477 views)
|
|
Re: AC Compressor constantly Cycles.
|
Sign In
|
|
I've been there for ages. Best A/C site and A/C only I know of. Should be enough there to scare you! Forums are frequently tech to tech and fewer DIYers but they come too,
T
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
mdma pills for sale : WhatsApp +33758633852
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
