Is this A/C short cycling or normal?

[xfactor9]

With outside temp at 81F, car at a stop, and cabin temp set to coldest, the A/C compressor would kick on and the condenser fan would run at Low. After several seconds, the fan would run High. After a few more seconds, the compressor and fans would turn off. The total run time was ~15 seconds.

Then after 10-15 seconds, the whole thing would repeat. The car is a 2010 Civic.

Does this cycling seem normal or too brief?

 

[mk378]

Is it cold inside?

Only if the answer is no, does anyone need to think about their car A/C further.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: mk378
Is it cold inside? Only if the answer is no, does anyone need to think about their car A/C further.


Isn't that the truth.

 

[LeakySeals]

Did you add any Freon ?

 

[spackard]

I'd guess it was low on refrigerant, mainly because that's what my wife's '13 Fit did.
But, I also knew the vent temp.

 

[mclasser]

Yeah, gotta know the vent temps, blower fan speed, and if on fresh air or recirc. IME, unless cranked up to full fan speed, Hondas compressors tend to cycle frequently.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Maintaining the evaporator temperature at somewhere around 38/40F, the compressor will cycle quite often on a hot day. I would say my Camry cycles two or three times a minute. Maybe more.

 

[xfactor9]

Ambient temp was 81F, blower speed was max, doors open, vent temp was 48F. Static pressure 89 psi. Low side port while idling was 38 psi. I don't know the high side because the gauge's coupler is missing

 

[SHOZ]

My Gen Coupe will cycle like that at idle once all things are equalized. The vent temps then will cycle from 38F to 40F.

The high pressure value with ambient temps is what tells the tale.

 

[Anduril]

Was this at idle or while driving? My wife's Versa and my truck both short-cycle at idle but haven't lost any cooling performance in the years we've owned them. I think it's just what newer A/C systems do, probably saves some tiny amount of fuel or something. My Cavalier and XTerra, both older vehicles, run the compressor constantly.