A/C Clutch kicking in / out constantly

[neurocache]

Recently my S70's A/C unit started to act up. Clutch won't stop kicking in and out. My mate said that there is prolly a leak of freon and that i need to find it, fix it, then charge it. Can anyone concur or further explain what the possible problems and solutions are? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

[Martinr]

Sounds like it is 'short cycling'. This will likely be down to insufficient pressure in the system. When was it last regassed? I believe it is advised that the system be re-gassed once every 2 years as a minimum as it is natural for the system to lose gas over time.

Likely culptits.

Natural evaporation as mentioned. Re-gass and an inspection with a UV light should be starting point. Any reputable specialist should be able to do this.

Condensor, this is the 'radiator' like object visible behind the horns, (presuming you haven't relocated them). Prone to damage by road debris.

Evaporator. Full dash out job if this is the cause and is pricey (certainly here in the UK anyway).

Incorrect clutch gap on the compressor.

Use the search function as there was a lot of postings and good advice etc on here during the summer. Not much call for Aircon here at the moment.

Good luck

[Wobbly Dave]

I have all the bit mentioned - should you need them. Try a regas first, see how you get on.

[Babybadger]

Sounds like it is 'short cycling'. This will likely be down to insufficient pressure in the system. When was it last regassed? I believe it is advised that the system be re-gassed once every 2 years as a minimum as it is natural for the system to lose gas over time.

Likely culptits.

Natural evaporation as mentioned. Re-gass and an inspection with a UV light should be starting point. Any reputable specialist should be able to do this.

Condensor, this is the 'radiator' like object visible behind the horns, (presuming you haven't relocated them). Prone to damage by road debris.

Evaporator. Full dash out job if this is the cause and is pricey (certainly here in the UK anyway).

Incorrect clutch gap on the compressor.

Use the search function as there was a lot of postings and good advice etc on here during the summer. Not much call for Aircon here at the moment.

Good luck

How often should AC be cycling? Mine has always done 10ish - 15/20 second intervals and has always been ice cold. does take a while to go ice cold though!

[neurocache]

Not much call for Aircon here at the moment.
The whether is retarded over here. Three days ago the temp got up to 80 fahrenheit (26.6 celcius). It's the mid of winter for christ sake :slap:

[Martinr]

How often should AC be cycling? Mine has always done 10ish - 15/20 second intervals and has always been ice cold. does take a while to go ice cold though!

That sounds a little frequent to me. On idle with the aircon switched on the compressor should cut in and out approx every 30 seconds (depends on ambient temperature). The fact you have some cooling would suggest that the gas is low not depleted as happened with mine. Pressure was so low then the compresor wouldn't even cut in.


80 degrees :jaw: We get headlines of "Phew what a scorcher!!!" in the national papers if we hit those sort of levels in July and August. All the more reason to have the aircon working properly.

[LeeT5]

Use your ac at least once a week for 30 minutes in the winter. Prevents the seals from drying out then your system will leak. Saves from expensive fix and ensures ac works when u want it.

[S60D5]

Not much call for Aircon here at the moment.

Good luck

Aircon is great in the winter, it dehumidifies the air making the car much easier to demist on cold mornings.

I have my AC on all the time.

[LeeT5]

Aircon is great in the winter, it dehumidifies the air making the car much easier to demist on cold mornings.

I have my AC on all the time.

Yeah, but , no but, yeah but to ensure it work efficiantly you must replace pollen filter every year.

[Martinr]

Aircon is great in the winter, it dehumidifies the air making the car much easier to demist on cold mornings.

I have my AC on all the time.


Yeah I agree. That is why it comes on when the controls are put into the demist position.

Once clear I switch mine off as the extra 10-15% fuel consumption is something on a T5 whilst it isn't so bad on a D5 :)