# A/C cycles frequently

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 6, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928 "2008-06-06T18:22:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DIYnovice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/91b2a8/32.png) [@DIYnovice](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DIYnovice)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928/1 "2008-06-06T18:22:44Z")

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I’m having trouble with my 98 Olds Intrigue’s a/c. It puts out cold air while running but it will frequently shut off and begin blowing hot air. After several seconds to a minute it will start again. It keeps doing this over and over. The a/c button on the dash has a light on it. The light cycles on and off with the compressor. I’m not sure what I should be checking. A bad relay or pressure switch? Perhaps low on refrigerant. The car has been “lightly” wrecked so it’s not worth much and I don’t want to put money into it at the repair shop. Can anyone suggests some things to look at to keep me from sweating it out this summer?

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928/2 "2008-06-06T18:52:07Z")

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The A/C clutch cycling on and off is an indication of low refrigerant level. It needs to be charged and checked for leaks.

transman

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**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928/3 "2008-06-06T18:52:19Z")

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Classic symptoms of a low charge. The car is easily old enought to have developed a slow leak, releasing refrigerant. I would have someone do UV dye test to check for leaks.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928/4 "2008-06-06T19:48:24Z")

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There could be a faulty pressure sensor, but it’s more likely to be a low refrigerant change, as stated by transman and FoDaddy.

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**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-frequently/14928/5 "2008-06-06T23:30:50Z")

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The A/C light going on and off makes me think its something other then low charge.