My AC compressor seems to cycle excessively on and off when stopped and idling.

Is this normal behavior?

Thanks

 

What was the outside temp when the excessive cycling was happening ?

 

There are a few threads out there on this one already. I think the general consensus is yes this is normal. Mine cycles every 15-20 seconds when I have the AC on in the summer. I actually counted at a traffic light becuase I was worried at one point.

 

Temp was about 80 degrees. My wife has a 3GL and the AC does not do this nearly as often. Today I pulled up to the bank to make a deposit and I had to turn the AC off it was so annoying.

I guess there is no fix.

Thanks,

 

It does seem to cycle much more often than I remember the AC in my previous '06 RL used to. Apparently, that is how this unit operates.

 

I just noticed this myself going thru a drive thru yesterday - was 81 out, A/C set to 72 Auto. Don't notice it at all when driving, or when windows are closed, but you can't miss it stopped with windows open

 

My 2010 used to do this. I was in a car accident and the compressor was replaced now it doesn't cycle as much.

 

here's an observation - noticed that the A/C in my car seems to work a lot harder when the re-circulation option is being used. The car switches to this mode on its own (I'm usually on Auto setting) but noticed the compressor and happened to see that option was lit up. Turned it off, compressor didn't cycle nearly as often - not sure if you folks will notice the same behavior or if it's just a fluke

 

Interesting observation. I will check mine and post results.

 

It depends on what's excessive. I think every 15 seconds or so is normal.

 

I had the opportunity to time the compressor cycling on my new 2012. It cycles every 13 seconds. There is no difference between recirculate or fresh. This is our 6th acura in the last 10 years and none before behaved this way.

Maybe its the loudness of it??? I took by boss to lunch today and he noticed it without me saying anything.

I watched a YouTube video from a guy that was showing off his new TL and he was filming it while it was idling. It was doing the same thing as mine.

Whats more is now I am hearing it while I am driving.
Did they put a peice of crap compressor in these new TL's?

 

It's hard to say but its simply bad engineering on Acura's part. If you were to talk to an Acura engineer for the 4G, he'd admit it. You know how I know this??? Cuz I have talked to two of them, and they agreed!

 

Yeah agreed, they need to do better NVH work on the A/C compressor + cooling fans. Even cheapo cars have managed to make A/C compressor engaging completely unnoticeable to the driver.

I wish they'd dump belt-driven compressors and just use an electric system like on some hybrids.

 

hey fellas, try something for me. I'm not convinced the compressor is what we're hearing kick on and off. I turned off the HVAC system entirely, and while sitting in the parking lot I could still hear something switching on and off. I have no idea what it would be, but with the A/C off I don't think its the compressor we're hearing, and beginning to wonder what it is. Next time you're bored try the same test and see if you still hear (what we think) is the compressor kicking on and off.

 

Ill check mine today

 

could it be the 2 radiator fans? mine are very loud while the car sits and idles. they cycle on and off every 15 seconds or so - very annoying if I am talking with someone outside the car - I do not think the compressor is what you are hearing -

 

i bet you're right, I'm convinced its not the compressor

 

Mine is quiet without the AC on. As soon as I turn on the AC the loud cycling starts usually ranging from every 8 seconds to every 15 seconds. Seems like something they may be able to fix with a software update or something??????? Drives me nuts. I have to turn it off when I am making deposits at the bank and speaking with the teller through the banks comm system.

 

Not sure, but I believe the rad fans kick on any time the AC compressor runs. I'll bet that's what you're hearing.

 

Very possible. Sounds like a program flash update request? Does Acura have a system for requests like this? Not sure I can trust my dealer.

 

Yesterday evening I got stuck for a long time in a long-stop-and-short-go traffic at the Canada/US border crossing. It was definitely the radiator fan cycling, since my A/C was off all the times, and oh boy, I just realized how loud the noise was then.

 

agreed, it is crazy loud - I gave a coworker a ride yesterday to pick up his car from the tint shop and we could hardly hear each other talk standing 10 feet from my car (idling with auto a/c set to around 72). I'm going in for the first oil change this week and will mention it to the dealer. Its a non-issue while moving, but quite annoying stopped, and I can't believe there's a need for the fans to run that often, they may as well be non stop with such a short break between runs.

i suppose I can't complain too much, this and not having a dummy light for washer fluid are really the only complaints I have

 

Please let us know what your dealer says. Thanks

 

Mine is still killing me. I am either going to get it fixed or trade it

 

Anybody had theirs checked yet?

 

interior fan noise is very quite after the initial cool down

- radiator/condenser fans - what you can hear outside the car (compressor noise? - don't think so)

 

Shhh.

 

I guess I have the same complaint with my 2010 TL SH. The rad fans are excessively loud and kick on and off every 8 seconds or so while the car is not in motion. Anyone hear of any updates from Acura. For now I guess it is what it is.

 

My 2011 does the same thing every 10 seconds or so. it's very loud and if I remember correctly I think my 08 MDX did the same thing.

 

Have you tried checking the refridgerant levels? It looks like a lot of people are complaining about it, but most of the time the compressor is designed to do that when the pressure is low to protect itself. I had an old car that it would keep going on and off, put in a little more R134a and it worked fine after that. Maybe the 4G's are underfilled?

 

Wow...I'd recommend Adderall or some other form of ODC med. At this point you are displaying overly concerned behavior that is not beneficial to you or your vehicle.

 

My wifes 2009 honda crv was making the same noise until there was a recent recall for the compressor clutch. Now it sounds perfect.

 

I don't care if it cycles ever second! But the damn thing is noisy! If I want a truck I go get one LOL. My '03 v6 Accord use to do the same thing but it wasn't anywhere as loud as the TL is.

 

I know when the AC is on the fan cycle rapidly. On my 09 I do not consider the fans to be noisy. In fact I never paid much attention to them so the sound must not be excessive. I test drove a used MB once and THAT fan was noisy. In fact I would not even consider the car with that noise. Maybe OP has a bad fan motor. Mine sound normal and I do not hear it at all in the car.

 

hey guys, new 2010 awd tech owner here, very cool car. One thing that i noticed is the ac compressor frequent cycling, which doesnt bother me, but while its doing it the rpms drop about 100-150 to the point where to can feel it, while sitting inside. Any advice??

Thanks guys,
Luke

 

Yes, take it to a dealer. The ECU should compensate for the AC load so you should not see a drop in rpm.

 

The Acura dealer stated to me that this was normal!

 

you---> <--dealer tech

 

It is normal. When I bought my car it was a cool day so while test driving no a/c was necessary just heat. A few days later when it warmed up outside I turned on the a/c and it started cycling about every 10 seconds. I thought that was weird so took back to dealer. The dealer and I checked out 2 other TLs and they all did the same. The tech stated that it saves the compressor from premature failure from inactivity during during winter months and continuous use during warm months. It will also cycle with the defroster on. All my other cars had the ac on continuous compressor style and you would never feel any cycling. I don't like the set up either but like the car so I accept it. Hope this helps.

 

Just to update,
took the car to the dealer, they hooked it up to diagnostics and ran it for a while, but at the end the tech came back and said that everything good,well i did notice a little improvement after putting some injection cleaner and filling it with premium, maybe it was some cheap gas. I wouldnt be suprised, they try to save every dollar.anyway they also changed by headrest buttons without me even asking, i guess theynoticed that one popped out