compressor seems to be cycling on and off

juankmr1978 · 06-15-2009, 02:56 PM

I have a PT Cruiser 2003. The compressor seems to be cycling on and off, but when I am driving in a highway it is fine. The problem is when I stop in a ligth, it continuosly turn on and off, and when it occurs the air is warm more time than cold, so the temperature is not good inside. What I should do? I was at two mechanics, one of them told me that the problem is the expansion valve, and the second one told me that it is some electrical problem, some one could help me to solve my problem?

**manic** · 06-15-2009, 03:22 PM

Need a freon charge, you may have a small leak somewhere. The
expansion valve might be clogged. Did any of them test it to see
how much freon you had?

**wrench97** · 06-15-2009, 04:23 PM

If it's cold while driving check the electric fan and/or control if you don't hear the cooling fan in the front by the radiator coming on then the Hi side gets too high and high side cut off turns the compressor off to prevent damage, when your driving the air flow through the grill will keep the evaporator cool enough to work properly.

If the fan is working then as manic states it's probably low on charge.

superdave423 · 06-16-2009, 04:30 PM

I just had the same problem there is a sensor called temp. sensor you can unplug it and see if that help before you go buy one

juankmr1978 · 06-17-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdave423

I just had the same problem there is a sensor called temp. sensor you can unplug it and see if that help before you go buy one

Thanks you very much

juankmr1978 · 06-17-2009, 08:01 AM

Thank you guys, I will try the sensor first, then I will check the elctric fan, I am pretty sure it is not a leak, or freon, because I checked the pressure, and it was 43. If this does not help me I will let you know.

**wrench97** · 06-17-2009, 12:04 PM

43 on the low side with the compressor on or off? with it off it's low, with it on it's hard to tell without a highside reading even then it's not an exact but rather an estimate.

juankmr1978 · 06-17-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

43 on the low side with the compressor on or off? with it off it's low, with it on it's hard to tell without a highside reading even then it's not an exact but rather an estimate.

yes 43 in the low side with the compresor on at the maximun speed

juankmr1978 · 06-17-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdave423

I just had the same problem there is a sensor called temp. sensor you can unplug it and see if that help before you go buy one

How I can now that the sensor is working? Which sensor is it? where is it located?

**wrench97** · 06-17-2009, 03:15 PM

Do you hear the cooling fan on the radiator come on?

06-15-2009, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
juankmr1978 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: vista	compressor seems to be cycling on and off I have a PT Cruiser 2003. The compressor seems to be cycling on and off, but when I am driving in a highway it is fine. The problem is when I stop in a ligth, it continuosly turn on and off, and when it occurs the air is warm more time than cold, so the temperature is not good inside. What I should do? I was at two mechanics, one of them told me that the problem is the expansion valve, and the second one told me that it is some electrical problem, some one could help me to solve my problem?

06-15-2009, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,245 OS: xp	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off Need a freon charge, you may have a small leak somewhere. The expansion valve might be clogged. Did any of them test it to see how much freon you had? __________________

06-15-2009, 04:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,613 OS: Win7	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off If it's cold while driving check the electric fan and/or control if you don't hear the cooling fan in the front by the radiator coming on then the Hi side gets too high and high side cut off turns the compressor off to prevent damage, when your driving the air flow through the grill will keep the evaporator cool enough to work properly. If the fan is working then as manic states it's probably low on charge. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-16-2009, 04:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
superdave423 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off I just had the same problem there is a sensor called temp. sensor you can unplug it and see if that help before you go buy one

06-17-2009, 08:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
juankmr1978 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: vista	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off Thank you guys, I will try the sensor first, then I will check the elctric fan, I am pretty sure it is not a leak, or freon, because I checked the pressure, and it was 43. If this does not help me I will let you know.

06-17-2009, 12:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,613 OS: Win7	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off 43 on the low side with the compressor on or off? with it off it's low, with it on it's hard to tell without a highside reading even then it's not an exact but rather an estimate. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-17-2009, 03:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,613 OS: Win7	Re: compressor seems to be cycling on and off Do you hear the cooling fan on the radiator come on? __________________ Power Supply and Selection