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I own a Mazda MX-5 NB (mk2).

I just got it back from the workshop, as the AC compressor had to be replaced. Unfortunately I am noticing an odd behavior with it.

Initially the compressor engages normally and AC works as it should. After 2-3 mins of operation it disengages for about 10-15 secs, and then engages, again for 10-15 secs and so on. Essentially it is like it is working on a 50% duty cycle, starting and stopping every a few seconds. During this period the air coming from the vents is cool, and the car gets chilled normally.

Every time it engages/disengages I can hear a relay clicking somewhere in the dashboard near the glove box, and just 0.5 secs later I can hear the compressor changing state.

Just a few times I noticed it to engage for even just one second and the disengaging again. This is a more rare situation though.

I would expect the compressor to be duty cycled to keep the air temperature at the desired levels, but I am concerned. Isn't that too often?

Note that this is the first summer that I try to use the AC on this car, so I have no idea what is normal and what not regarding this matter.

Bonus question. What may go wrong having the compressor engaging/disengaging very very frequently?

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  • How well does the A/C work? It is quite normal for the A/C to kick on and off as pressure builds in the system. Jun 8, 2017 at 20:35
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    sounds like it's short cycling. the system may be under or overcharged.
    – Ben
    Jun 9, 2017 at 16:29
  • It is performing well I would say. How can one diagnose if it is over or under charged? Jun 9, 2017 at 21:44
  • Depending on ambient (outside) temperature how often the compressor will cycle if properly charged. You would need a set of AC gauges connected and experience to determine if it is over or under charged, if it is cooling the passenger cabin adequately it more than likely is properly charged. Cycling is normal.
    – Moab
    Jun 19, 2017 at 0:59

2 Answers 2

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I'm about 90% sure that your ac is under or over charged This happened to my car when I filled up my ac with Freon. My air con would short cycle on a hot sunny day and would disengage 1 min before engaging again.

An AC charging hose/gauge is relatively cheap so you could get some and confirm your Freon pressure.

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Japanese cars, compared to European or American ones, often feature through-vane or scroll type of ac pumps, which are rotary pumps, not reciprocating ones. They are supposed to be quieter than reciprocating pumps.

These rotary pumps are fixed displacement so they're supposed to cycle their clutch. However, compared to most reciprocating ac compressors, they nearly always feature a thermal protection switch in series with the clutch coil, which is supposed to trigger and cut power to the clutch coil once the compressor's metal shell reaches a critical temperature (this is meant to avoid compressor damage, i.e. seizure, due to both low oil circulation rate across the system and abnormal superheat, conditions determined by running the AC system on a low refrigerant charge, though not low enough to trigger the low pressure switch/sensor, or not enough lubricant oil in the system or a wrong viscosity one).

Unfortunately, these switches, as with any other compressor part, are subject to wear due to thermal cycling, and the wear may make them start tripping too earlier when old and making the compressor cycle too much, or just stop doing their job.

Your case, if you managed to successfully rule out a clutch gap issue, a condenser fan malfunction, a condenser airflow issue (check for the radiator-condenser gap and replace the insulating foam if it's damaged or missing), low charge, a system leak, a relay fault, a pressure switches or evaporator temperature sensor, or a system obstruction which manages to trigger the high pressure switch/sensor, might be this.

Thankfully, the thermal protection switch on the compressor can be replaced, but if the compressor is old enough and has seen enough abuse (and not running the system for a long long time and then turning it on out of the blue unfortunately is; please tell me that you've at least had the system checked for leaks and, if no leaks found, then the refrigerant levels restored), a new compressor, along with a system flush, a new liquid receiver/accumulator and a proper oil balancing procedure with the oil type and quantity recommended on the compressor's label, might be the best way of dealing with the problem.

What may go wrong having the compressor engaging/disengaging very very frequently?

The clutch assembly (and, in particular, the friction pads) wears faster. In addition the excessive friction heat due to the repeated engagements might damage the compressor's shaft seal.

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