AC cycling when heat is on??

[ckinart]

well, i'm fortunate to not have any major problems to worry about with my SHO right now *knock on wood*, so i'm left to nit pick all the little things... consider the following experiment: if i run the car at idle and put the EATC to "auto" and set it to 32 C (90 F), i get lots of heat, but every now and then the AC will cycle on for about 2 - 5 seconds, and then off, with a corresponding raise in the idle speed to compensate... the point is, why would the AC run at all when i'm clearly not demanding cooler air in the cabin? is this unusual? any ideas why it does this?

*edit: this cycling occurs maybe once every minute or two, not cycling on and off continuously which would indicate low refrigerant... i'm pretty sure i'm okay there...

thanx all...

<small>[ September 25, 2002, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: ckinart ]</small>

 

[jelloslug]

I think it is normal for the compressor to cycle in AUTO unless the outside temp is below 0 C (32 F).

 

[Kevin Ryan]

This is normal operation. When the auto temp control is engaged the defroster part of the heater is active. When the defroster is on the A/C cycles so the incomming air can be passed over the evap core and this is were your dry air comes from.

 

[Bluto]

Ditto

 

[Tommy's SHO]

A/C cycles also when the DEFogger is on.

 

[ckinart]

thanx for the info folks

thumbs_u