A/C clicks on and off
24 July 2012, 07:43 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
A/C clicks on and off
Hi,
WRX STi Spec D 07/07.
With the recent hot weather, I've been using my A/C a lot more.
Always seem to find that it clicks on for about 30-40 seconds, and then clicks off again.
I feel the cold air, then it goes tepid, and then cold again.
I press the right hand button of the 3 dials on the dash, and the orange light comes on, not setting it on auto with the middle button, so why does it keep clicking on and off?
Also it does the same whilst stationary, I hear the A/C engage for a short burst and then it goes off again.
Anyone else had this?
WRX STi Spec D 07/07.
With the recent hot weather, I've been using my A/C a lot more.
Always seem to find that it clicks on for about 30-40 seconds, and then clicks off again.
I feel the cold air, then it goes tepid, and then cold again.
I press the right hand button of the 3 dials on the dash, and the orange light comes on, not setting it on auto with the middle button, so why does it keep clicking on and off?
Also it does the same whilst stationary, I hear the A/C engage for a short burst and then it goes off again.
Anyone else had this?
Last edited by Hawkeye D; 24 July 2012 at 07:44 PM.
24 July 2012, 07:51 PM
#3
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24 July 2012, 08:02 PM
#6
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24 July 2012, 08:03 PM
#7
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Trending Topics
24 July 2012, 08:15 PM
#9
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24 July 2012, 08:25 PM
#12
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Why do Subaru do this? Perhaps to save fuel? But would cost more fuel cutting on / off and use the A/C pulley clutch more?
24 July 2012, 08:34 PM
#13
more to do with engine loading for emissions & the fact that the newer systems on the subarus are smaller than previous models so the gas circulates much quicker.
its mostly a temp cut off that makes the clutch click in and out
24 July 2012, 08:49 PM
#15
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Thread Starter
Sure, ok, but it cuts off even when the cab is still pretty warm - perhaps not even a mile up the road from it being sitting in the sun.
Or do you mean the A/C system temp rather than the cab?
Sorry about all this peeps!!
24 July 2012, 08:59 PM
#17
Scooby Regular
what is your temp set too?
if its all the way down you might have a problem. if its set to 20+ then its perfectly normal as the air ayatem always works to the set temp (the small vents under the controls works like a small hoover). The auto function just regulates the fan speed to set temp.
thought i had a problem with mine too before a little investigation with controls revealed the true way it works.
also check to make sure the cabin filter isnt blocked, and the ac will turn off when gas pedal is floored.
if its all the way down you might have a problem. if its set to 20+ then its perfectly normal as the air ayatem always works to the set temp (the small vents under the controls works like a small hoover). The auto function just regulates the fan speed to set temp.
thought i had a problem with mine too before a little investigation with controls revealed the true way it works.
also check to make sure the cabin filter isnt blocked, and the ac will turn off when gas pedal is floored.
24 July 2012, 09:16 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
what is your temp set too?
if its all the way down you might have a problem. if its set to 20+ then its perfectly normal as the air ayatem always works to the set temp (the small vents under the controls works like a small hoover). The auto function just regulates the fan speed to set temp.
thought i had a problem with mine too before a little investigation with controls revealed the true way it works.
also check to make sure the cabin filter isnt blocked, and the ac will turn off when gas pedal is floored.
if its all the way down you might have a problem. if its set to 20+ then its perfectly normal as the air ayatem always works to the set temp (the small vents under the controls works like a small hoover). The auto function just regulates the fan speed to set temp.
thought i had a problem with mine too before a little investigation with controls revealed the true way it works.
also check to make sure the cabin filter isnt blocked, and the ac will turn off when gas pedal is floored.
I can also hear what sounds like a spraying noise (on and off) coming from around the dashboard clock area, is this the air being sprayed onto / into the evaporator?
I know cabin filter is recent, but will check that the weekend - where is the cabin filter? Easy to find / get to?
24 July 2012, 09:26 PM
#19
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cabin filter is behind the glovebox relatively easy for simple minded person with a screwdriver.
the hissing noise is the refrigerant expanding through the evaporator coil of which the air is drawn across thus resulting in cold air. perfectly natural if its a little bit. personally id be more worried if it was dead quiet because thatd mean there isnt any refrigerant in the system. if its really loud there is a possibility of havin air or water in the refrigeration circuit of which continued use will result in popping the compressor.
try the recirc function as this draws air from the cabin and if its precooled the system wont have to work as hard and will bring the temp down faster therfore making you imagine its a lot colder. (hissing noise should quieten down as its cooling cooler air and not the 30 odd degrees heated air that weve been having)
it also depends on how hot the cabin is... has it been sitting in real hot sunshine all day etc... is there a window open (please say there isnt) if the cabin is 30 degress+ the a/c will run on and off alot to bring the temp down. Again perfectly natural.
the hissing noise is the refrigerant expanding through the evaporator coil of which the air is drawn across thus resulting in cold air. perfectly natural if its a little bit. personally id be more worried if it was dead quiet because thatd mean there isnt any refrigerant in the system. if its really loud there is a possibility of havin air or water in the refrigeration circuit of which continued use will result in popping the compressor.
try the recirc function as this draws air from the cabin and if its precooled the system wont have to work as hard and will bring the temp down faster therfore making you imagine its a lot colder. (hissing noise should quieten down as its cooling cooler air and not the 30 odd degrees heated air that weve been having)
it also depends on how hot the cabin is... has it been sitting in real hot sunshine all day etc... is there a window open (please say there isnt) if the cabin is 30 degress+ the a/c will run on and off alot to bring the temp down. Again perfectly natural.
24 July 2012, 10:47 PM
#24
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makes my blood boil when i see cheap top ups as youll be back before long for the job being done properly
24 July 2012, 10:56 PM
#25
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Thread Starter
cabin filter is behind the glovebox relatively easy for simple minded person with a screwdriver.
the hissing noise is the refrigerant expanding through the evaporator coil of which the air is drawn across thus resulting in cold air. perfectly natural if its a little bit. personally id be more worried if it was dead quiet because thatd mean there isnt any refrigerant in the system. if its really loud there is a possibility of havin air or water in the refrigeration circuit of which continued use will result in popping the compressor.
try the recirc function as this draws air from the cabin and if its precooled the system wont have to work as hard and will bring the temp down faster therfore making you imagine its a lot colder. (hissing noise should quieten down as its cooling cooler air and not the 30 odd degrees heated air that weve been having)
it also depends on how hot the cabin is... has it been sitting in real hot sunshine all day etc... is there a window open (please say there isnt) if the cabin is 30 degress+ the a/c will run on and off alot to bring the temp down. Again perfectly natural.
the hissing noise is the refrigerant expanding through the evaporator coil of which the air is drawn across thus resulting in cold air. perfectly natural if its a little bit. personally id be more worried if it was dead quiet because thatd mean there isnt any refrigerant in the system. if its really loud there is a possibility of havin air or water in the refrigeration circuit of which continued use will result in popping the compressor.
try the recirc function as this draws air from the cabin and if its precooled the system wont have to work as hard and will bring the temp down faster therfore making you imagine its a lot colder. (hissing noise should quieten down as its cooling cooler air and not the 30 odd degrees heated air that weve been having)
it also depends on how hot the cabin is... has it been sitting in real hot sunshine all day etc... is there a window open (please say there isnt) if the cabin is 30 degress+ the a/c will run on and off alot to bring the temp down. Again perfectly natural.
The hissing isn't silly loud, so that sounds as though all is well, and will see tomorrow if it's quieter once recirc is selected.
Yes, in hot sunshine all day with windows closed, and yes, it does cut on and off very frequently, the A/C fan will come on it short 5-10 second blasts after I have started the engine.
Interesting A/C system, not used to all this high tec Jap stuff!
Thank you all for opinions an ideas, much appreciated.
Matt
24 July 2012, 11:02 PM
#27
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Thread Starter
Perhaps some of the gas had escaped, but I'm going to keep my eye on it.
When we took off the H and L plastic screw tops, there was a bit of a hiss, only very slight, so maybe there could be a tiny bit getting out that way.
Time will tell, but I like an efficient A/C system all year round, and will do whatever it takes to maintain it that way.
24 July 2012, 11:05 PM
#28
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Well it could be the valve for the high/low pressure (hopefully not, depends how much gas went back in), or it could be you were flooring the car at the time, the aircon will switch off to give you more power whilst you do this 
24 July 2012, 11:11 PM
#29
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Thread Starter
I can't remember how much gas we put back in, but it was the max on the label.
It's handy because at work I can ask the service manager if I can run the car in and "check" the air con, then, once we have the reading of what got vacuumed out, we put the maximum back in and nobody really knows as you can't see the level on the R134a bottle of course!
Sneaky maybe, but I work hard enough there, and haven't had a pay rise for years.
I hear that some garages now are vacuuming the gas out of thier trade in / p/ex vehicles as it's pretty expensive stuff. Doesn't matter on a trade vehicle that goes to auction or to a trader - let them re gas it etc.
25 July 2012, 12:08 AM
#30
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I can't remember how much gas we put back in, but it was the max on the label.
It's handy because at work I can ask the service manager if I can run the car in and "check" the air con, then, once we have the reading of what got vacuumed out, we put the maximum back in and nobody really knows as you can't see the level on the R134a bottle of course!
Sneaky maybe, but I work hard enough there, and haven't had a pay rise for years.
I hear that some garages now are vacuuming the gas out of thier trade in / p/ex vehicles as it's pretty expensive stuff. Doesn't matter on a trade vehicle that goes to auction or to a trader - let them re gas it etc.
It's handy because at work I can ask the service manager if I can run the car in and "check" the air con, then, once we have the reading of what got vacuumed out, we put the maximum back in and nobody really knows as you can't see the level on the R134a bottle of course!
Sneaky maybe, but I work hard enough there, and haven't had a pay rise for years.
I hear that some garages now are vacuuming the gas out of thier trade in / p/ex vehicles as it's pretty expensive stuff. Doesn't matter on a trade vehicle that goes to auction or to a trader - let them re gas it etc.