# A/C cycles on and off

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 18, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921 "2019-02-18T21:47:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921/1 "2019-02-18T21:47:23Z")

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My wife’s 1997 Acura CL (238K miles) is having a strange problem. Even with the climate control completely turned off, the A/C cycles on and off. I start the car on a cold morning, turn A/C off and this thing starts cycling every 2 to 3 minutes. Stays on for about 10 seconds and then goes off for 2-3 minutes and it starts all over. It is pretty consistent, that’s why I do not assume a short, loose wire or broken climate control module, but can’t think of anything else but the module acting up.

Otherwise it performs real well. More a nuisance at the moment. I am kind of out of ideas where to look next. Any hints?

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921/2 "2019-02-18T22:17:57Z")

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If you are using your defroster the AC comes on. Usually AC cycling on-off is low refrigerant.  
If not using the defroster, must be electrical. Others wil chime in with suggestions.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921/3 "2019-02-18T22:50:17Z")

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> [@Purebred](#):
>
> If you are using your defroster the AC comes on.

I was going to say the same thing. If it’s not that, it could be an electrical problem with the compressor, the switches, or a relay.

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**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2019, 6:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-cycles-on-and-off/134921/5 "2019-02-26T06:35:22Z")

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@donnaeastman  
The OP wants to know why his turns ON when he has it turned off.  
NOT why the A/C turns off when it’s turned on.