A/C compressor cycles on/off. Normal???
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: California
A/C compressor cycles on/off. Normal???
I have just started noticing that when the A/C is on the A/C compressor clutch engages and disengages in about 30 second intervals.
Example: 30 seconds on, 10 seconds off, 30 senconds on and so forth. There is also a change in temp. from the vents as it cycles. This is all in manual mode too.
Does anybody elses GX do this?
I have talked to two different technitions at two different dealerships and both have said that it is normal and the clutch is an automatic type that will cycle itself on and off depending on the pressure in the system. I have never heard of a car that does this before, all the cars I have owned previously are either on or off, not both.
Can anybody confirm if their GX does this.
Also anybody heard of such a thing before?
Example: 30 seconds on, 10 seconds off, 30 senconds on and so forth. There is also a change in temp. from the vents as it cycles. This is all in manual mode too.
Does anybody elses GX do this?
I have talked to two different technitions at two different dealerships and both have said that it is normal and the clutch is an automatic type that will cycle itself on and off depending on the pressure in the system. I have never heard of a car that does this before, all the cars I have owned previously are either on or off, not both.
Can anybody confirm if their GX does this.
Also anybody heard of such a thing before?
Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: A/C compressor cycles on/off. Normal???
Ours does this in Auto mode too. Sometimes we'll be stopped at a light and you'll hear a click and the revs will drop about 100 for a few secs, then go back up 100 or so.
Also while driving, sometimes the A/C, even in Auto mode, will have random bursts of warm air that's slightly warmer than what it had been blowing.
We don't like the Auto A/C in the GX... it doesn't keep the temp at what we set it. We are always having to fiddle with the temp because it's always either too hot or too cold. Not like that on our other cars...
Also while driving, sometimes the A/C, even in Auto mode, will have random bursts of warm air that's slightly warmer than what it had been blowing.
We don't like the Auto A/C in the GX... it doesn't keep the temp at what we set it. We are always having to fiddle with the temp because it's always either too hot or too cold. Not like that on our other cars...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Re: Re: A/C compressor cycles on/off. Normal???
Originally posted by brent0226
Also while driving, sometimes the A/C, even in Auto mode, will have random bursts of warm air that's slightly warmer than what it had been blowing.
Also while driving, sometimes the A/C, even in Auto mode, will have random bursts of warm air that's slightly warmer than what it had been blowing.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Texas
A/C and other items
The A/C compressor short cycling is a known problem that Lexus is working on, per my dealerships technician.
Kash, what people at Lexus or the dealership did you deal with on your sell-back? I am looking at doing the same only for a different set of issues.
Thanks,
Kash, what people at Lexus or the dealership did you deal with on your sell-back? I am looking at doing the same only for a different set of issues.
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: A/C and other items
Originally posted by cassiri
The A/C compressor short cycling is a known problem that Lexus is working on, per my dealerships technician.
Kash, what people at Lexus or the dealership did you deal with on your sell-back? I am looking at doing the same only for a different set of issues.
Thanks,
The A/C compressor short cycling is a known problem that Lexus is working on, per my dealerships technician.
Kash, what people at Lexus or the dealership did you deal with on your sell-back? I am looking at doing the same only for a different set of issues.
Thanks,
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: OR
----(SOLUTION) ----
My Lexus IS250 2007 did the same thing. My AC compressor was cycling on and off. It got hot outside 95F and it would only turn on a few seconds (about 5 sec) at 20 second intervals and would eventually stop cycling.
Solution (how i fixed the problem):
-when I checked my freon pressure was in the red.
-I recovered the freon from the low pressure valve.
-I did this until the compressor stayed on.
Hope this helps, too high pressure in the A/C lines (from it getting to hot outside) can cause the compressor to cycle.
My Lexus IS250 2007 did the same thing. My AC compressor was cycling on and off. It got hot outside 95F and it would only turn on a few seconds (about 5 sec) at 20 second intervals and would eventually stop cycling.
Solution (how i fixed the problem):
-when I checked my freon pressure was in the red.
-I recovered the freon from the low pressure valve.
-I did this until the compressor stayed on.
Hope this helps, too high pressure in the A/C lines (from it getting to hot outside) can cause the compressor to cycle.
Last edited by PalmTreez; Jul 17, 2018 at 05:12 PM. Reason: Miss wrote steps
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Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,658
Likes: 818
From: NC
People will sometimes refill their refrigerant using one of the kits you can buy at AutoZone, etc. and the problem with them is there's no way to know exactly how much refrigerant to add. Modern A/C units are very sensitive to the quantity of refrigerant in them. Always take it a qualified shop to get refilled.
Chip H.
Chip H.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 15
From: TX
----(SOLUTION) ----
My Lexus IS250 2007 did the same thing. My AC compressor was cycling on and off. It got hot outside 95F and it would only turn on a few seconds (about 5 sec) at 20 second intervals and would eventually stop cycling.
Solution (how i fixed the problem):
-when I checked my freon pressure was in the red.
-I used a AC charge cord (one that you get from an auto store without the freon can attached) and I let out my freon from the low pressure valve.
-A lot of air came out and eventually i saw freon come out. I did this until the compressor stayed on.
Hope this helps, too high pressure in the A/C lines (from it getting to hot outside) can cause the compressor to cycle.
My Lexus IS250 2007 did the same thing. My AC compressor was cycling on and off. It got hot outside 95F and it would only turn on a few seconds (about 5 sec) at 20 second intervals and would eventually stop cycling.
Solution (how i fixed the problem):
-when I checked my freon pressure was in the red.
-I used a AC charge cord (one that you get from an auto store without the freon can attached) and I let out my freon from the low pressure valve.
-A lot of air came out and eventually i saw freon come out. I did this until the compressor stayed on.
Hope this helps, too high pressure in the A/C lines (from it getting to hot outside) can cause the compressor to cycle.
I wouldn't particularly state you let the freon out online, you should say recover. agencies tend to frown upon that practice, in some states its chargeable offense
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: OR
The next day when driving, my AC started to get progressively warmer and after 10 min it was blowing warm air. My compressor turned on for about 10 min then started to cycle again. I think there may be air in my lines from when I changed my alternator (may have bumped one of the lines 
). Will update the post when I Find the "real" solution out. May have celebrated to early !
Does anyone know how to find leaks in the AC system ??
). Will update the post when I Find the "real" solution out. May have celebrated to early !Does anyone know how to find leaks in the AC system ??
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KahnBB6
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
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Jun 26, 2015 12:33 AM
470, ac, air, automotive, clutch, compressor, conditionar, cycle, cycling, disengaging, es300, frequently, gx, lexus, normal, onoff
