AC Compressor and/or Compressor Clutch

[Bebop Man]

On my '86 (5.0 EFI) I have factory air. But when I turn on the AC or flip the heater to the defrost vents, the compressor kicks in as normal, then cycles off after 10 or 15 seconds. A short while later, it kicks in, and the cycle repeats over and over.

I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to do this.

Is this a low-refrigerent symptom? A bad ac compressor clutch? Bad switch?

Opinions and hints are greatly desired.

 

[bigbluebronc]

All is normal, dont worry, the ac is working too push dry air on the windshield which will dehumidify and clear the inside of the windshield!!!!, the compressor and ac is a dehumidifier thus dripping on the ground after a good drive in hot weather from under the truck, even more when in humid weather...I live in the snow and have found a little of heat and defrost back and forth can keep the outside clear of frost and defrost can keep the trapped humidity( boot and people jackets melting in the truck) off the windshield and when I drive too a dry place air out the car alittle...If your in hot weather acs do cycle thats how they work, just like your house, other wize they would burn up .... good luck

 

[Bebop Man]

All is normal, dont worry, the ac is working too push dry air on the windshield which will dehumidify and clear the inside of the windshield!!!!, the compressor and ac is a dehumidifier thus dripping on the ground after a good drive in hot weather from under the truck, even more when in humid weather...I live in the snow and have found a little of heat and defrost back and forth can keep the outside clear of frost and defrost can keep the trapped humidity( boot and people jackets melting in the truck) off the windshield and when I drive too a dry place air out the car alittle...If your in hot weather acs do cycle thats how they work, just like your house, other wize they would burn up .... good luck

I understand it's supposed to cycle. But this often? Call it every 30 seconds or so?

 

[Elmo]

sounds to me like your system is a bit low on freon.Need to have it checked by way of a set of refridgeration guages if you have them or have it done. probably a good time to replace all the o-rings at all the connections and swap over to R-134a

 

[JohnMcD348]

I agree with Elmo. Get the level checked. A too low or too high level can cause the system to circulate randomly and not cool very well. If it's too low, seriously look into spending a few bucks and getting it switched over to the 134 stuff so you can more easily service your cooling the next time. I'm waiting on mine to quite cooling completely so I can do the change over in mine.

 

[BLADE262US]

I agree it is low on refrigerant . If you unplug the pressure switch on the I think its the accumulator it will quit cycling until you can get it checked out . Mine did this exact thing . The switch is located on the passenger side fire wall there is a can looking thing with the switch in it should be make of aluminum . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Bebop Man]

I did the R-134A converstion today, topped it off w/ refridgerant. Lo and behold, it works. It cools a lot nicer and there's no cycling of the AC compressor