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Hi, I have a 2002 ranger 4x4 4.0 and when I bought it the ac did not work. Today since the weather is getting warmer I charged the system with 24 oz. of r-134a with stop leak (assuming it has a small leak). The air is now ice cold but I have a question. My compressor cycles on for about 10-15 sec then shuts off for like 10 sec and so on, does this means it needs more of a charge or is this normal?
Fastmaxx400--I learned last year with my '97 XLT that diagnosing and fixing A/C problems is not as easy as just adding refrigerant and checking for cold air. It's based on a very specific set of parameters for each type of vehicle. The only way you can really know if you're system is operating correctly is to use an A/C manifold gauge set.
The short story is, yes, an A/C unit cycling excessively could indicate that an A/C system is undercharged (i.e. low side pressure falls too low and low pressure cutoff switch kicks in) or it could mean you added too much refrigerant (i.e. high side pressure is too high and high pressure cutoff is kicking in). It also depends on what type of air conditioning system you have. If your system uses a variable displacement compressor, it shouldn't normally cycle. If, however, your system has a Cycling Clutch Orifice Tube (CCOT), the clutch on the compressor will cycle to maintain proper pressures.
thanks for the great info, i added another can of refrigerant and with it on max ac and doors open the compressor stays on. When i turn it lower and close the doors the compressor will stay on for a little then cycle off which I understand is good and is just maintaining temp. Thanks for all the helpful info!
Study this thread. Embedded is a schematic courtesy of Rockledge and instructions where he explains you need to jumper the cycling switch that will continuously cycle the compressor and aid filling the system.