Why Is My Car AC Compressor Short Cycling?

If your car’s air conditioning compressor is short cycling, it means that it’s turning on and off more frequently than it should. This can be caused by a number of things, some causes are.

A plugged or damaged air filter

A plugged or damaged air filter can cause your car’s AC compressor to short cycle.

This means that the compressor turns on and off very quickly, which can damage it.

If you notice your AC compressor is turning on and off very quickly, check your air filter, as it may be clogged with dirt or debris.

You should also check your cabin filter if you have one. If you don’t have a cabin filter, it’s probably not clogged but could just need to be cleaned so it’s working properly again.

A defective thermostat

A defective thermostat can cause your car’s AC compressor to short cycle. The first thing to check is the thermostat, which is responsible for regulating how cold your engine gets.

If it malfunctions, it could prevent your car from cooling down properly.

If you notice that your ac compressor is short cycling when you turn on the AC, it’s likely that your thermostat needs to be replaced.

Low refrigerant levels

If your car’s air conditioning compressor is short-cycling, it may be because of low refrigerant levels.

This can happen if the compressor has been damaged or if the air conditioning system has developed a leak.

An electrical problem

If you have a short cycling air conditioner, it may be due to an electrical problem.

The compressor is the part of the system that circulates the refrigerant through your system. When it is working correctly, it should run for about 15 to 20 seconds and then rest for 10 seconds before starting up again.

If your compressor is short cycling, this means that it is running too often or not at all. This can make it difficult to diagnose if you don’t know what to look for.

Why is it so bad?

Short cycling your car’s AC compressor can damage the compressor, the belt that drives it, and the seals in your condenser. Over time, this will result in a higher repair bill, as well as premature failure of these parts.

Why does it happen?

The compressor is short cycling when it turns off quickly and then turns on again.

This happens because of a problem with the refrigerant in your car’s air conditioning system. When you turn on your car, the compressor turns on and compresses the refrigerant gas into a liquid.

The liquid then flows through a hose to the air conditioner evaporator, where it cools down and becomes a gas again.

The gas then makes its way back to the compressor, where it gets compressed again and cooled down again.

This process continues until you turn off your car, at which point all of the refrigerants are released into their liquid form.

What’s the problem with short cycling?

Short cycling is a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle’s air conditioning system. This can be caused by a number of things, including:

The thermostat not opening or closing quickly enough to keep the coolant flowing properly

The refrigerant leaking out of the system

A bad compressor could be caused by a faulty pressure switch or a faulty compressor clutch assembly

How do you fix it?

Short cycling is a problem that affects car air conditioning compressors.

It occurs when the compressor turns on and off repeatedly in a short period of time, instead of staying on for several minutes or longer.

The reason why your car’s AC compressor is short cycling can be due to a variety of issues. Here are some common reasons:

Your thermostat may be stuck open, which means that it stays closed most of the time and opens only when needed.

This causes the engine to run at higher temperatures than normal, leading to overheating and then short cycling.

Your refrigerant levels may be low or empty, causing your AC system not to work as efficiently as it should.

If you notice that your compressor cycles on and off frequently while driving at high speeds, this may be why!

Signs of a failing compressor

If your car is short cycling or turning on and off frequently, it could be an indication that something is wrong with your AC compressor.

This can be caused by a number of issues, including a bad compressor, an evaporator coil leak, or a problem with the refrigerant level in your vehicle’s AC system.

Conclusion

The reason your car’s AC compressor is short cycling is probably that the thermostat is stuck open, or the coolant level is too low.

If you’re driving and notice that your car’s AC is not working, stop by a mechanic or auto store to have them check these things out.

Steven Hatman
Steven Hatman

We break down every information into easy-to-understand articles that cover all the categories anyone who owns a car needs to know about, such as oil , brakes , tires and etc. Our car guide is free and updated regularly for you to use as a resource, not only when you have an issue with your car but even before buying a new or used car! We also give tips on what to look for in each category or part of your vehicle.