AC Compressor cycling on off every 5-10 seconds

headache4 · 11-19-2008, 04:29 PM

So my AC compressor keeps kicking on and off. I dont have the AC on, it does this on heat as well. If i shut everything completly off, it wont do it. Its annoying because it throws the idle up for a few seconds then it kicks off and idles back down. So im going down the road and all the sudden i feel that thing kick on and my idle goes up, so does my speed a little. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

durango-bob · 11-19-2008, 04:33 PM

It will cycle on in defrost mode by design. But it should not do it in vent or heat only mode.

DeepJeep · 11-19-2008, 04:54 PM

Mine does the same thing. Pretty typical/normal from what I understand.

**filluptrk** · 11-19-2008, 11:50 PM

That is normal. I put a switch on mine, I live in a dry climate, so no more on/off on defrost unless I want it on. Phil

FransWhiteXJ · 11-20-2008, 04:55 PM

Phil, How/where did you attach the switch?? Pictures?? I want to be able to manually override the A/C when in defrost mode or in upper-lower heating mode. I snowplow with my XJ, sometimes in freezing rain, and I need to DEFROST the windshield, not defog it. My snowplow can momentary draw over 100 amps and I don't need the extra power consumption of the A/C.

Thanks, Fran

**filluptrk** · 11-20-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FransWhiteXJ

Phil, How/where did you attach the switch?? Pictures?? I want to be able to manually override the A/C when in defrost mode or in upper-lower heating mode. I snowplow with my XJ, sometimes in freezing rain, and I need to DEFROST the windshield, not defog it. My snowplow can momentary draw over 100 amps and I don't need the extra power consumption of the A/C.

Thanks, Fran

I spliced my switch wires into the A/C clutch wires. There is a small wire coming out of the big harness from the + battery side, and it goes to a grey connector black white wire going to the A/C. I ran these (14 or 16 ga) wires through split tubing along the looms on the firewall through the big grommet going into the interior, and from there to the switch panel.
What I used was a rocker switch with a green LED that I put into the square that was for a fog light switch. It was a simple drill and install. The other switch there with the red LED is for the cooling fan, and it was not nearly as easy.
Works great, really good when you are climbing a long grade. You just kill the A/C till you get to the top then click it back on, keeping the cooling temps down. Easy install, Phil

The forum tells me my picture is too big, and I have no idea how to make it any smaller, but you don't really need it. You can see the spot on your panel where the rear wiper etc and power outlet is, that is the one you have to take off, it is easy just 3 screws and it is a snap to put in the switch. Sorry I am great with mechanical things, computer stuff not so good. Phil

**filluptrk** · 11-21-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filluptrk

I spliced my switch wires into the A/C clutch wires. There is a small wire coming out of the big harness from the + battery side, and it goes to a grey connector black white wire going to the A/C. I ran these (14 or 16 ga) wires through split tubing along the looms on the firewall through the big grommet going into the interior, and from there to the switch panel.
What I used was a rocker switch with a green LED that I put into the square that was for a fog light switch. It was a simple drill and install. The other switch there with the red LED is for the cooling fan, and it was not nearly as easy.
Works great, really good when you are climbing a long grade. You just kill the A/C till you get to the top then click it back on, keeping the cooling temps down. Easy install, Phil

The forum tells me my picture is too big, and I have no idea how to make it any smaller, but you don't really need it. You can see the spot on your panel where the rear wiper etc and power outlet is, that is the one you have to take off, it is easy just 3 screws and it is a snap to put in the switch. Sorry I am great with mechanical things, computer stuff not so good. Phil

Here is the picture, I found out how to do it. The other switch right above the 4wd handle is the extended idle switch I put in, works great. The red led switch takes the place of the lighter, and I used the wiring from this for my cooling fan relay, so far I have not needed it. Phil

FransWhiteXJ · 11-22-2008, 06:57 AM

Thanks Phil, this hepls me alot. I like the use of the lighter socket!! Great place for a switch.

Fran

durango-bob · 11-22-2008, 09:07 AM

Be careful on the use of the switch to disable the AC. The reason that the defrost mode activates the AC is to keep the seals in AC system lubricated. If the AC doesn't run on a fairly regular basis, the seal will dry out and the refriderant will leak out. I'd run it at least once a week with no worries.

As for resizing pictures, microsoft's web site has a free download of a program called resizer. It adds a selection to the menu when you right click a pic that allows you to easily resize a pic to one of 4 different sizes. Works great.

**filluptrk** · 11-22-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durango-bob

Be careful on the use of the switch to disable the AC. The reason that the defrost mode activates the AC is to keep the seals in AC system lubricated. If the AC doesn't run on a fairly regular basis, the seal will dry out and the refriderant will leak out. I'd run it at least once a week with no worries.

As for resizing pictures, microsoft's web site has a free download of a program called resizer. It adds a selection to the menu when you right click a pic that allows you to easily resize a pic to one of 4 different sizes. Works great.

You are right. I run it periodically just for this reason. I just like having some control over the constant clutching and declutching of the A/C.
Thanks for the resize info as well. Phil

FransWhiteXJ · 11-22-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durango-bob

Be careful on the use of the switch to disable the AC. The reason that the defrost mode activates the AC is to keep the seals in AC system lubricated. If the AC doesn't run on a fairly regular basis, the seal will dry out and the refriderant will leak out. I'd run it at least once a week with no worries.

I'm also aware of the pitfalls of not periodically running the AC. I just want to momentarily shut off the AC when I plowing. The plow could pull over 100 amps, the emergency strobe lights are on, the heater is on, the headlights and auxillary reverse lights are on, etc. Of course plowing driveways at 5 mph doesn't allow for much battery recharging amps. It would be nice to shut off any electrical loads that aren't absolutely needed.

Fran

KamekLocked · 11-22-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durango-bob

Be careful on the use of the switch to disable the AC. The reason that the defrost mode activates the AC is to keep the seals in AC system lubricated.

Wrong, the reason the A/C kicks on when in defrost mode is to remove the moisture from the air, that way defrosting your windows quicker.

You are right about using the A/C periodically, keeps the compressor, and all the seals oiled.