When your car’s A/C turns on and off, it can be irritating to say the least. However, there are a few possible reasons for this problem and some solutions you can use to get your car’s A/C back up and running. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common reasons your car’s A/C might turn on and off, with some solutions to each problem.
Low Refrigerant
The most common reason for this problem is that the refrigerant in your vehicle’s A/C system has become low and needs to be replaced. The refrigerant found in automobiles and other machines is called freon, and it’s the gas that cools down the hot air that enters your car when you turn on the A/C. If there isn’t enough freon in your vehicle, you won’t get cold air blowing out of your vents when you turn on the A/C.
If you suspect that this may be what’s wrong with your car’s air conditioning, then two things can help: First off, check out how quickly (or slowly) it turns on when using only half of its power; if it takes longer than usual for it to kick into gear then chances are good that there isn’t enough freon present within its system—which means either way too much or too little refrigerant gas inside of yours! Secondly, replace any damaged parts, such as hoses or valves, and add some fresh fluid into them; this should solve most problems associated with running low supplies by itself over time.
Blocked Condenser
The condenser is a heat exchanger that cools your car on a hot day. It works by absorbing heat from the air in front of it and transferring it to the coolant flowing through its tubes. This process creates vapor pressure, which is released as air through an outlet near the radiator cap.
The condenser is usually located behind or underneath your car’s radiator, but if you’re having trouble with your A/C turning on and off (or if you hear a clicking sound), this part might be blocked with dirt or debris. To clean out any blockages or obstructions: remove any debris around the condenser; use soapy water to rinse any build-up inside; dry with paper towels afterward before reattaching it to its mounting bracket.
Faulty Compressor Clutch
The compressor clutch is the part of your car’s air conditioning system that switches on and off. A faulty compressor clutch will run continuously, making it very hot and causing your car to overheat. The best way to test a compressor clutch is with a multimeter, but if you don’t have one handy, you can use replacement as an indicator: if your compressor cycles on and off without fail, there might be something wrong with it.
If replacement doesn’t work or you don’t want to go through all that trouble (it isn’t too bad), get a new one from your local auto parts store!
Faulty Expansion Valve
The expansion valve is a device that controls the flow of refrigerant into your vehicle’s air conditioner. When you turn on your car’s A/C, it sends coolant from the compressor through a tube to this valve, which opens and closes based on instructions from the car’s computer.
When an expansion valve is faulty, it can cause your car’s A/C to turn on and off frequently—or not work at all. When the expansion valve cannot regulate how much refrigerant goes into your system properly, then too much or too little coolant will enter your AC system. The result: either hot air blowing out at high speed or cold air coming out slowly with no moisture removal ability whatsoever!
Conclusion
Now that you know the causes of your car’s A/C problem, what do you do next? You can either try to fix it yourself or take it to an auto shop. If you need help fixing it yourself and want to save money on repairs, contact a mechanic for help with your car’s A/C.