# A/C not working when car is stopped (compressor only turns on for a few seconds at a time) **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 4, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207 "2013-09-04T12:01:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![crj123082](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@crj123082](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crj123082)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/1 "2013-09-04T12:01:41Z")
I have a 2008 Chevy Equinox, and have had issues with the air conditioner for a while (see my other post: [http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/comment/2957278#Comment\_2957278](http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/comment/2957278#Comment_2957278)). Lately, if the car is stopped in traffic or at a red light, I cannot get any cold air. The compressor will turn on, but only 2-3 seconds, then it shuts back off. It will cycle like this, on and off, about every 10-15 seconds while I am stopped. Each time this happens, the RPMs jump and the car lurches forward a little as well. As soon as I start moving at a decent speed (20 mph or so), the air gets cold again. The recommendation from my other thread was to replace the heater control module - do you think replacing that part would fix this too, or is something else going on here? Thanks for any suggestions! ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/2 "2013-09-05T02:01:21Z")
Did you get the software update from the TSB? ---
**Author:** ![crj123082](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@crj123082](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crj123082)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/3 "2013-09-05T10:25:19Z")
I did (last summer), but it didn’t seem to help anything. I found a heater control module online yesterday for $35, which is why I made this post…I went ahead and bought it, figured I’d roll the dice. If you know of any other possible causes, though, I’m all ears. ---
**Author:** ![kb0001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@kb0001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kb0001)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/4 "2013-09-05T17:20:55Z")
The symptoms you describe could also be the result of the radiator fan not engaging properly. I had virtually identical issues last summer – When idling with the AC on, the compressor would kick off, and the car would buck as it felt like it was going to stall (RPMs drop and then surge). ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/5 "2013-09-06T00:40:24Z")
@crj123082 It sounds like the compressor may be short cycling . . . usually due to a low refrigerant charge Another possibility is a defective clutch cycling switch . . . should be located on the accumulator Just throwing some ideas out there . . . ---
**Author:** ![Highrider2001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@Highrider2001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Highrider2001)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/6 "2013-09-07T04:56:17Z")
Sounds like it needs to be recharged and the clutch is kicking out they will do that if there low on Free on and oil ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/7 "2013-09-07T06:31:14Z")
My vote is for the compressor short cycling due to the refrigerant being a bit low. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 7:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/8 "2013-09-07T07:43:50Z")
Do the electric radiator fans run anytime the A/C is on? They should…After you check that, check the high and low side pressure with a proper gauge set… ---
**Author:** ![crj123082](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@crj123082](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crj123082)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-not-working-when-car-is-stopped-compressor-only-turns-on-for-a-few-seconds-at-a-time/81207/9 "2013-09-11T03:17:24Z")
well the new control module didn’t solve any of my problems, oh well. thanks for the other suggestions, I’ll start working through them asap