A/C Clutch - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Blue Magic · 07-11-2014, 02:01 PM

Has an ever noticed that tbe clutch on the compressor kicks off and on? I've owned several vehicles and never experienced that before. I took the car to the dealer and was told it was normal. It's a preventive measure to keep the compressor from freezing up. B/S or true?

Squillo · 07-11-2014, 02:14 PM

It only runs when the demand is there to cool something. Just like any other A/C unit.

RobertRS · 07-11-2014, 02:25 PM

It will also cycle on and off when at idle or creeping speeds to prevent high side pressures from damaging compressor. It also cycles on/off at highway speeds depending on thermostat setting but not as often as it will at low speed and high ambient temps. All later model a/c compressors cycle like this. However if it cycles excessively and cabin temps won't cool down, it could be due to low charge and kicking out on low pressure switch.

Criticalmass · 07-11-2014, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Magic

Has an ever noticed that tbe clutch on the compressor kicks off and on? I've owned several vehicles and never experienced that before. I took the car to the dealer and was told it was normal. It's a preventive measure to keep the compressor from freezing up. B/S or true?

True.

PalmerGA · 07-11-2014, 02:41 PM

You just haven't been paying attention. Every AC I've had in the past 20 years (maybe longer) has done that. It's normal.

Evergreen6 · 07-11-2014, 02:41 PM

Mine does it too, and all my other cars do this. It's kind of alarming when you first notice it cycling on and off. Within the course of a minute it can go on and off many times.

But, they must be designed well enough to take that kind of wear on the compressor clutch and other pieces. Our highest mileage vehicle (109k) is still on its original charge and equipment from the factory, the AC is still ice cold, and the compressor has always cycled on/off.

Blue Magic · 07-11-2014, 02:56 PM

Thanks for all the input. Maybe I just never noticed it before in all my other cars.

SatSky08 · 07-11-2014, 05:54 PM

My '94 GMC was built the year they switched over to R134a refrigerant. I bought it in November that year (and still have it!), so it wasn't until the first warm weather the next year that I noticed this. It would cycle on and off every six seconds at highway speeds. Seemed weird at the time, but it's normal.

RJT Impala · 07-11-2014, 07:16 PM

Back in the first gas crisis (1973) Sears, JC Whitney and several other companies marketed a device that would interrupt power to the AC clutch when vacuum dropped due to wide open throttle. It reduced load on the engine and theoretically improved gas mileage. Hot rodders quickly realized that it would also enable disengaging AC for greater performance. They were marketed until mid-to-late '80s. Point: AC compressors have had clutches for a long, long time!

07-11-2014, 02:01 PM	#1
Blue Magic Drives: 2010 IBM 1SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: N'awlins Posts: 82 View My Garage	A/C Clutch Has an ever noticed that tbe clutch on the compressor kicks off and on? I've owned several vehicles and never experienced that before. I took the car to the dealer and was told it was normal. It's a preventive measure to keep the compressor from freezing up. B/S or true? __________________ TSP 1 7/8" Headers, Cat Delete / Flowtech Mufflers, Vmax CNC Ported TB, SLP UD Pulley 25%, Elite Catch Can, Vararam CAI, Vararam Power Wedge, Taylor 49 Race Wires, Mishimoto Silicone Hoses, B&M Transmission Pan, Tampa Tuning Tweaked & Tweaked again

07-11-2014, 02:41 PM	#5
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,755 View My Garage	You just haven't been paying attention. Every AC I've had in the past 20 years (maybe longer) has done that. It's normal. __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

07-11-2014, 02:56 PM	#7
Blue Magic Drives: 2010 IBM 1SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: N'awlins Posts: 82 View My Garage	Thanks for all the input. Maybe I just never noticed it before in all my other cars. __________________ TSP 1 7/8" Headers, Cat Delete / Flowtech Mufflers, Vmax CNC Ported TB, SLP UD Pulley 25%, Elite Catch Can, Vararam CAI, Vararam Power Wedge, Taylor 49 Race Wires, Mishimoto Silicone Hoses, B&M Transmission Pan, Tampa Tuning Tweaked & Tweaked again

07-11-2014, 05:54 PM	#8
SatSky08 Drives: '08 Saturn Sky, '14 2LT Convertible Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: United States Posts: 46	My '94 GMC was built the year they switched over to R134a refrigerant. I bought it in November that year (and still have it!), so it wasn't until the first warm weather the next year that I noticed this. It would cycle on and off every six seconds at highway speeds. Seemed weird at the time, but it's normal. __________________ Last edited by SatSky08; 07-11-2014 at 09:56 PM.

07-11-2014, 02:14 PM	#2
Squillo Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS BRM LS3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,174	It only runs when the demand is there to cool something. Just like any other A/C unit.

07-11-2014, 02:25 PM	#3
RobertRS Drives: 2014 2SS L99 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 1,320	It will also cycle on and off when at idle or creeping speeds to prevent high side pressures from damaging compressor. It also cycles on/off at highway speeds depending on thermostat setting but not as often as it will at low speed and high ambient temps. All later model a/c compressors cycle like this. However if it cycles excessively and cabin temps won't cool down, it could be due to low charge and kicking out on low pressure switch.

07-11-2014, 02:41 PM	#6
Evergreen6 Drives: 2023 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: United States Posts: 1,434	Mine does it too, and all my other cars do this. It's kind of alarming when you first notice it cycling on and off. Within the course of a minute it can go on and off many times. But, they must be designed well enough to take that kind of wear on the compressor clutch and other pieces. Our highest mileage vehicle (109k) is still on its original charge and equipment from the factory, the AC is still ice cold, and the compressor has always cycled on/off.

07-11-2014, 07:16 PM	#9
RJT Impala Stovebolt BluFlame 6 Drives: '12 2LT/RS, IBM; '20 Traverse Prem Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wherever! Posts: 893 View My Garage	Back in the first gas crisis (1973) Sears, JC Whitney and several other companies marketed a device that would interrupt power to the AC clutch when vacuum dropped due to wide open throttle. It reduced load on the engine and theoretically improved gas mileage. Hot rodders quickly realized that it would also enable disengaging AC for greater performance. They were marketed until mid-to-late '80s. Point: AC compressors have had clutches for a long, long time!