(I was too lazy to write my own question, so I plagiarized from another forum)

I've noticed that when I run the AC, the car's fan seems to start and stop rather frequently--on for a couple of minutes, then off for about 20 seconds, then on again.

Anybody notice the same thing, or does this sound like a faulty gauge of some kind? I know that A/C is supposed to operate in cycles, but this seems really frequent.

 

Are you sure that's the fan engaging? I would think you're actually hearing the A/C compressor and its magnetic clutch kicking in.

How often the compressor clutch engages and disengages depends largely on the thermostat setting, I think.
More cooling = longer engagement time, less frequent cycling.
Less cooling = shorter engagement time but more frequent cycling.

CMIIW

 

mines acts just like that too.. theres nothing wrong with it

 

mines acts like that but blows warm air? i lost the low pressure cap( the one that is green and you take it of to add freeon to) could this be the reason why?

 

this happens to me too, i definatly hear it when the car is idle in a parking space. nothing to freak out about.

 

Im to lazy to answer you because you are to lazy to do a search!

 

^^^ FAIL^^^ why dont you try serching for "ac problems" see what you come up with

 

If the compressor clutch does cycle very frequently, or the cycles get shorter and shorter when in the same type of ambient conditions you may be low on charge and the compressor is being cycled off on a low pressure cutoff (not sure if there is one on the Fit, but there should be). If you have the ability to check system pressures, that's where I'd start.

How's the cooling performance? If it's not too bad, I wouldn't worry about it at the moment.

 

The caps don't do anything, if you take the cap off the valve stem for your tire is your tire gonna go flat? No, it just protects the valve. And if the cap is green its not the for the A/C, A/C caps are either black, red, or blue. If you see a green cap changes are your looking at a tire with nitrogen in it, or a service port in the engine bay for the EVAP system.



And yes the fan cycling is normal.

 

thank you i will be doing this tonight ill keep you guys posted

 

I hate using AC because of that noise and the decreased power

 

lol but i live in az so i need it. ok so i checked the pressure for the freeon and its at 40 psi right were it should be..im starting to think its an electrical issue but what can it be??

 

The cooling performance is great, so hopefully my Fit is fine.

 

You're assuming I didn't.

You can "search" for a dictionary at the bookstore.

 

i wasnt talking about you buddy... that was directed to the guy that didnt want to help out because you were to "lazy" to use search

 

sorry

i had a bad day

 

fan speed should be constant. your compressor may cycle every 20sec or so.

 

Thanks for the explanation (and confirmation that others are experiencing something)

Seems like a design that is prone to wearing out fast. I don't know of other cars that do this.

 

Mine does the same thing. The reason is that the A/C generates a lot of heat when compressing the refrigerant. Because of that, an extra electric cooling fan pulls air through the right side of the engine radiator, which is where the A/C radiator is.

If you get into stop and go traffic in hot weather, that extra fan may kick in even if you don't have the A/C on, just to keep the coolant temperature down.

 

sounds like its normal but my ac does not blow cold air? the pressure is normal. maybe if i drain it and add new freeon to it?