i have a 95 impreza L 2wd with a 2.2L. I just got the car, and one thing that drives me crazy is that the a/c turns on and off while you are driving or idling, makes no difference. I checked the freon and thats up to specs. I dont know where else to turn, any ideas?

 

sometimes it happens while im slowing down and the car shuts off on my cause i guess it cant handle the load.

 

thanks in advance guys

The compressor has to turn off periodically to defrost the evaporator core. Otherwise it would cover with ice and no air would flow across it. No air flow = no AC.

 

It also cuts off when the engine is revved high. The pressure in the system builds as the compressor turns faster. If it gets too high it can blow the lines apart. So to protect the system from damage the compressor cuts off until the engine RPMs come back down into normal operating range.

after i run the a/c for about 5 mins, it will kick on and off every 30-45 secs from there on after. i dont think thats a safety feature.

Too much refrigerant, or a block in the line. How cold is the air out of the vents relative to the air outside?

i posted in your other thread about this, i too would suspect overcharging. is that whitehall, WV - i'm 30 minutes from you if so.

If you set it on the coldest setting does it do the same thing? Some systems will cycle the compressor more often if you put the temperature setting in the middle. Others will move the actuator flap and allow some warm air to bypass the core to control temp.

i have it in the coldest setting, ive tried it in every setting trying to see if it stops and it is still doing it.

i checked the freon, its right where it needs to be.

 

i live in whitehall,pa not WV, but thanks for the offer to help me.

 

any other ideas?

I think its normal. It shouldn't run for to long after the car is cool atleast. I usually put my temp in the middle of the cold side and leave the fans on atleast 2 or 3. How are you checking your charge btw? I would also suggest you clean the condenser with a power washer its just infront of the rad ( I am sure you know lol). If it is dusty or dirty it could cause this issue.

How did you check to see if it was in spec, and what was the outdoor temp and the dash vent temps?

 

 

nipper