My A/C seems to come on and go off when it feels like it. At least that is what it sounds like. It sounds as if the compressor shuts on and off. I think that is normal but I feel it does it too many times in a short period. As such the temperature fluctuates from 40 to as much as 80 or more depending on the outside temperature.

I had to replace the radiator fan as it wasn't coming on, it now works but I still have this problem. I am at a loss as to why this is happening.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

when the temp goes high, you need to see if the compressor clutch is really engageing. your vent temp with fan low and 'recirc' should be around 45 degrees.
the evap core has a sensor on it to keep it from freezing itself and it's normal for the A/C to cycle. But many times the clutch 'air gap' is too big and the compressor doesn't restart.

 

Okay, how would I go about checking that?

 

Before you get all involved in that, turn on the ac and see if both fans come on. If not, lack of air across the condensor will raise the pressure and the high pressure switch will cycle the compressor. You could also simply be low on freon.

 

You can hear the compressor cycle on and off most of the time (usually a click or some sound of that nature).

 

Yeah, I hear that though I hear it quite often. There was an occasion where I opened the hood with the A/C on and the fans weren't on. Then they came on after a second. So I'm sure that is the problem, I just don't know what is causing it. I had the freon recharged a couple of weeks ago.

 

Anyone else?

 

Well usually both fans are supposed to be on when the A/C is engaged. You might be low on freon thats why the compressor might be consistently cycling.

 

No, it's cycling from the high pressure cutoff switch because the fan isn't running. You need to determine if you have a bad fan or ground or relay.

 

Well it's not the fans, so either a ground or relay problem.

 

What sort of test have you done to rule out the fan?

 

Well the radiator fan wasn't working, so I replaced it with one from my totalled accord and they both work when the A/C is on...most of the time. The times when they don't leads me to believe it's something that controls the fans. Not entirely sure on that though.

 

When the ac is cycling on and off, are both fans running, or do both problems occur at the same time?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sj993 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, I hear that though I hear it quite often. There was an occasion where I opened the hood with the A/C on and the fans weren't on. Then they came on after a second. So I'm sure that is the problem, I just don't know what is causing it. I had the freon recharged a couple of weeks ago.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you are aware that the a/c compressor cycle on and off right ?? and so do the fans
if the compressor clutch is engaged than both fans should be on
if the clutch is not engaged fans will be off as well...
there is a thermostatic switch in the evaporator that senses the temperature of the a/c and shots it off so,the compressor does not run continuosily and freeze everything up.

when you say do not work.with a/c on.. openup the hood and keep looking at compressor ,,if compressor is engaged than fans should be on...

OOOPs i just noticed hondadude touched on that ,, i did not see it ,,

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NAiL05 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well usually both fans are supposed to be on when the A/C is engaged. You might be low on freon thats why the compressor might be consistently cycling.</TD></TR></TABLE>I thought fast cycling was usually from being OVER-charged. (If it still does that after you get the fans sorted out.)