Anyone having A/C issues? (not cold, compressor cycling every few seconds)

[adrew]

We have a '14 ES CVT with about 30k miles on it (it is white and has tinted windows, too). When we first got it, the A/C was awesome, even here in Texas. Toward the end of last summer, it started getting less effective and now it is gets kind of cool but not cold, even at higher speeds.

One thing I have noticed is that the A/C in this car has always seemed to cycle the compressor more frequently than in my other cars. But, now it can be hot in the cabin and we can have the temperature on 61, the vent on recirc and the fan on max and it will still cycle the compressor every few seconds.

To me this seems like it is low on refrigerant - just curious if others have run into this issue, if it is common, etc. before I take it in.

[Cleartec]

well refrigerant should be expected to be changed at least once every 2 years. This is what I know

[Alex1a1f]

100% incorrect. Refrigerant doesn't age, it should be a sealed system and last life of car without problems. You probably have a leak. Check all the lines for dirt buildup. That's where a leak will be, or take it in to get checked. Good luck.

[inuvik]

100% incorrect. Refrigerant doesn't age, it should be a sealed system and last life of car without problems. You probably have a leak. Check all the lines for dirt buildup. That's where a leak will be, or take it in to get checked. Good luck.

Yah, I'm with Zx on this one since you have good airflow. Most likely a leak.

[stevedmc]

One thing I have noticed is that the A/C in this car has always seemed to cycle the compressor more frequently than in my other cars. But, now it can be hot in the cabin and we can have the temperature on 61, the vent on recirc and the fan on max and it will still cycle the compressor every few seconds.

To me this seems like it is low on refrigerant - just curious if others have run into this issue, if it is common, etc. before I take it in.

What you described is low refrigerant, r134a. You don't have to bring the car into a shop to top it off. You can purchase a can with a built in hose and gauge for $20 to $30 at Walmart or any parts store and do it yourself.

well refrigerant should be expected to be changed at least once every 2 years. This is what I know

I think you have engine coolant (anti freeze) and AC refrigerant (r134a) mixed up. Engine coolant should be changed every two years to avoid corrosion. Refrigerant should never be changed! The tree huggers claim this stuff is bad for the ozone layer. In a perfect world, AC refrigerant never needs to be touched. I've driven old cars with perfect AC systems, never touched and I've driven cars with AC systems with tiny leaks that need to be topped off once a year or so. The original poster is describing a system with a very tiny leak, that simply needs to be topped off.

And before people panic saying a leak needs to be repaired, ask yourself this? Do you panic when you have to add air to your tires once in a while? With a very tiny tire leak, you fill the tire up every few months and don't worry about it. If you have to refill the tire every day then yes, you worry about getting the tire replaced.

But if the poster has a very small leak, it can simply be topped off every once in a while, possibly only yearly.

[stevedmc]

And another note, don't buy those refill cans that have oil in them! You AC system isn't leaking oil. You already have the correct amount of oil in the compressor. If you keep topping it off with those cans, you will eventually have a system with too much oil and not enough refrigerant.

These systems only take 10 oz of refrigerant. The idea is to have as high a percentage of refrigerant in the system as possible. If you weaken the percentage of refrigerant in your system, you weaken your cooling capacity.

Oil doesn't leak from compressors, but refrigerant does. Don't believe the snake oil claims on refill products. Just buy pure 134a. You probably only need to add two or three ounces of the stuff.

My advice would be to watch the gauge on the can as you top it off and to put a thermometer in your center AC vent. Top it off while the car is running. The compressor will eventually stay engaged longer as you top it off, and the vent temp should drop to somewhere around 60 degrees. I usually stop topping a car off once it reaches 60 degrees. Then I go for a drive. If my vent temps are in the 40's then I'm happy and I don't add anymore.

[inuvik]

We have a '14 ES CVT with about 30k miles on it (it is white and has tinted windows, too). When we first got it, the A/C was awesome, even here in Texas. Toward the end of last summer, it started getting less effective and now it is gets kind of cool but not cold, even at higher speeds.

One thing I have noticed is that the A/C in this car has always seemed to cycle the compressor more frequently than in my other cars. But, now it can be hot in the cabin and we can have the temperature on 61, the vent on recirc and the fan on max and it will still cycle the compressor every few seconds.

To me this seems like it is low on refrigerant - just curious if others have run into this issue, if it is common, etc. before I take it in.

You check the cabin air filter? Make sure it's not restricted which would reduce the effectiveness of the air conditioner.

[adrew]

well refrigerant should be expected to be changed at least once every 2 years. This is what I know

Refrigerant doesn't wear out or become less effective over time. If there are no leaks or replacement parts (compressor) there's no reason why it can't last the life of the vehicle.

You check the cabin air filter? Make sure it's not restricted which would reduce the effectiveness of the air conditioner.

I haven't in probably six months. Last time I knocked it out and it wasn't clogged up or anything, just had a few random leaves. It doesn't feel wheezy or asthmatic and still blows strong (just a lot of cool-ish air instead of cold). Every other car I've had will run the compressor continuously until the interior of the car cools down to ~70°F; this one will be cycling it even when it's still hot inside.

[mitsumi]

You check the cabin air filter? Make sure it's not restricted which would reduce the effectiveness of the air conditioner.

also check the blower might have a lot of dust mine was only about a yr and a month and when i checked yhe blower fins it was dirty

[Cleartec]

who said something about ageing? I meant the climate control should be looked at by a professional every 2 years to make sure everything is okay, and not leaking. Nowadays everything on the climate control is made out of aluminum, which can corrode when in contact with salt. This could be the problem for leaks. I knew I car, its A/C didn't work in sommertime because of the condeser