A/C Cycles Off Too Much

[Stevo F]

As the hot weather is arriving I'm noticing that our '07 Corolla LE started blowing warmer air when the car is stopped then cools off when it its moving again. I was thinking low refrigerant, but I was under the hood with the A/C on and noticed that the compressor cycles on for maybe 15 seconds then cycles off for close to a minute before it cycles on again.

Why woudl the compressor cycle off for such a long period compared to the time it is running? Is this a sign of low refrigerant or some other problem?

I need to purchase a set of A/C gauges, but in the meantime was wondering if I should be looking at something other than refrigerant.

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

Double check with a set of gauges. Usually a slow cycling speed means there is an overcharge, the high pressure circuit has an issue, or the TXV expansion valve is malfunctioning.

It could also be a clogged receiver drier filter, but that wouldn't happen unless you had A/C work done and the mechanic didn't evacuate the system or left it exposed to the elements before performing a vacuum pull and fill.

Usually low Freon keeps the compressor clutch engaged constantly with no cooling.