I've been noticing for some time now a ticking under the hood, very rhythmic, only 'noticed' @ idle. I decide to do a little sleuthing today and noticed it was my a/c compressor. It seems like the a/c is engaging and disengaging rhythmicaly. At least that's what it seems to be doing. The face of the pulley spins,stops,spins,stops @ about 1 second each. The a/c is working fine still. Is there a bad clutch in there? Is my compressor about to go?

 

Are you sure that it's your A/C? Did you have your defrost on when you checked? When defrost is on, the A/C is engaged. If no, it may be time to rebuild the clutch on that unit or get a new one.

-Flea

 

Way back when, I had an '86 Mustang. The A/C was doing the exact same thing you describe and the end result was the system needed a refrigerant recharge. System pressure was low and for some reason that caused the compressor to cycle just like you are experiencing...

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

Thanks... I guess I need to have it 'looked at'. I just fear the dealer! They never have good news! It's about time for a spark plug change anyway!

Maybe something is sending a current on and off to the unit for some reason... hmmm. Whatever it is... I'm sure it'll be the most expensive of all possibilities!

 

The A/C dries the air as it enters the system...if you have the heater or defrost on it will cycle and being that it's cold the pressure will drop Quickly thus engaging the low pressure cut off switch...you should wait until it warms up so that pressure readings can be correctly made on the system