Compressors clutch always engaged and sometimes it engages and disengages repeatedly?

Tiny
JACOB HEINZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HONDA FIT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
August of 2021 I was running my A/C and the vent started blowing out (it looked like fog). The air was freezing. Around vents started building up condensation. I don’t use the A/C for the rest of the year.
During the winter of 2022, I was running the defrost for a long-time sitting and my compressor clutch started making a metal-on-metal sound. I called a mechanic and he said, compressor was going bad. The noise stopped after some time and the defrost kept working.
As warmer weather came. I started using A/C, the compressor clutch would repeatedly engage and disengage.
I’ve replaced the compressor and condenser. Ran a vacuum and no leaks. Static pressure is around 80 PSI on the high and low side. When I start the A/C low side is 39 PSI and high side 119 PSI, around 90° outside, 45% humidity. Yes, it’s a little low on Freon. Vents blow cold air. After some time (5-10 minutes) the low side starts dropping pressure to 30 PSI and high side stays the same.
When driving, vents are blowing cold. I’ll come to a stop or park the car while still running A/C. The vents start blowing warm air. When I start driving, it will go back to very cold air blowing out. If I don’t stop the vents will always stay cold.
Also finding odd. Some mornings I run the defrost and the clutch stays engaged forever. Other mornings the clutch engages and disengages repeatedly.
My head is spinning the more I research online. Could it be bad pressure switches, check valve, relays or a bad compressor? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 AT 5:29 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
It sounds like the system is just low on refrigerant at 90 degrees the high side should be about 250 PSI. Yes, the A/C will get cold when it is low, sometimes but it will cycle and act strangely. Here is a guide that can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 AT 10:56 AM

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