Skip to content
EN · km
Language
Units
My Garage

Air Conditioning Cuts In And Out

Air conditioning that keeps going cold then warm usually has a low refrigerant charge, a compressor clutch with too large a gap, a faulty pressure switch or a cooling fan that does not run.

Normal risk

Not urgent, but get it checked. Repeated cycling can wear the compressor.

Short answer · Why does my air conditioning keep switching off?

The system switches the compressor on and off to protect itself. If refrigerant is low, pressure drops and the low-pressure switch cuts the compressor. If the condenser fan fails, pressure climbs too high and the high-pressure switch cuts it. A worn compressor clutch can slip when hot. Icing on the evaporator can also block airflow.

On this page

Safe checks you can do

  1. Notice when it happensIn traffic, when hot or at speed.
  2. Check the cooling fanWith the A/C on, the radiator fan should run.
  3. Listen for the clutch clickingVery frequent clicking suggests low charge.

Questions that narrow it down

  1. Does it get worse in traffic?Fan or condenser.
  2. Is cooling weak in general?Low refrigerant.
  3. Has the system been serviced recently?Charge or leak test.

Possible causes

Listed without ranking. Use the questions above to see which ones fit your car.

  1. Low refrigerantPressure switch cuts the compressor.
  2. Cooling fan not workingHigh pressure in traffic.
  3. Worn compressor clutchSlips when hot.
  4. Faulty pressure switchWrong cut-off.
  5. Iced evaporatorAirflow drops.

Questions about Air Conditioning Cuts In And Out

Can I just top up the refrigerant?

A leak should be found; refilling without repair is temporary.

Is the clicking normal?

Some cycling is normal; very frequent cycling is not.