I've been having A/C troubles for the past couple of days. It will intermittently cool but most of the time, but it feels like the compressor isn't working. If I press the a/c switch in the cabin, I will feel the idle rise as if the car knows the a/c is kicking in, but no cold air or sound that the a/c system is working. It will work sometimes, and it will blow cold air for several minutes but it does have a hard time going back on once it cycles. I changed the cabin filter and it didn't help.

Could it be the compressor or the compressor's clutch?

 

Sounds like the compressor to me.

 

ugh, I was hoping it's not the compressor. It's a $500 part ($350 from bernardi)

 

Check electrical to the compressor first, make sure it's getting a good connection for power. It sounds like the clutch isn't engaging consistantly.

 

Thanks for the tip. However, now that it's not raining in San Diego anymore, it seems to be running properly again. It's slow to start blowing cold air from a cold start, but it's working again.

 

It sounds like a low charge. which means a rock may have damaged the condencer.GL
Mike

 

Mike, sorry I wasn't clear with my post but it works great again. It's a bit slow to cool when the engine is cold, but a/c is normal once engine reaches running temp.

Wouldn't a low charge mean it won't engage the compressor/clutch at all?

 

yup, I just said that bcuz most prob. w/AC is due to the thin condencer. Then my second thought would be electrical the clutch, switch or wiring. You could jumper the clutch w/12v and that would verify if it was the clutch or not. Keep us posted this is what I really like is the prob. solving here. GL
Mike