More A/C problems/Questions?

[woodsmith]

HelloI have both a 92 Safari and a 96 Astro. The A/C system seems to work well in the 92 Safari with the compressor cycling on and off at regular intervals. Is that how it is supposed to work?On my 96 Astro, I recharged the system myself and now the compessor comes on and stays on. Is that how it is suposed to work?

[cliffie]

Yes, The Compressor Runs Constant As Long As Temp Has Not Been Reached, Once It Has It Will Cycle As Needed.. Before You Charged It , It Was Cycling On And Off, On And Off, This Is To Protect Your Compressure.. Its Sets Off A Low Gas Presure[need Refrigerant] Once Recharged Will Runmost Of The Time....

[hangtrojanover]

Your questions depend upon several variables. AC systems work with pressure as the control. There are pressure switches in the high side as well as the low side. AC systems have a direct relationship with the temperature, so on hot days the temp is higher and the pressures will be higher. Most AC systems that are working properly and are fully charges do not cycle the compressor on and off at idle when the air temp outside is hot and the blower fan is set to high. Some systems are working better than others as far as the compressor able to build pressure and vacuum so this will relate to some cycling, perhaps. The way to assure yourself that all is good is to start the vans, turn the AC on and the fan to high speed and check the output temp at the vents between the two. Some cycling would be normal, but unless it is cool not too much. The 1992 might be a little low on refrigerant. Good luck.