Air conditioner cycling between cold and lukecold

[korbas]

Now that I've had this car for a few days, I've noticed that the air conditioner seems to be alternating between blowing cold and somewhat less cold...then it goes back to cold...then not so much. Is this a normal thing where it's trying to keep the temperature in a certain range, or is something amiss?

[kvndoom]

Mine does that also, even on the lowest temperature. Some people don't even notice it, but others (like me and perhaps you) are extremely sensitive to even slight temperature changes.

[korbas]

Originally Posted by kvndoom

Mine does that also, even on the lowest temperature. Some people don't even notice it, but others (like me and perhaps you) are extremely sensitive to even slight temperature changes.

Thanks. I thought my AC might have an electrical issue or need more refrigerant. At first I thought it was my imagination or something else interfering, but then I held my hand in front of it and was able to count the iterations. It's weird. I guess I'll have to get used to it.

Every American car I've ever been in, as well as Toyotas, just stay on the setting you put them on.

[sp3ak]

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chime in but it might just be how the system works. Cycling on and off or something to keep pressures right or keep the system from getting too cold and freezing? I feel it in mine too.

[08EX-L]

Awesome that someone else noticed this.. cause my TSX never did this.. and I use to be able to keep it on Auto and 23 degrees.. but I can only stand keeping it on 19 degrees in my Accord.. thats the only setting where I don't get warm air.

The trick is having the vent system closed.. so it won't pull hot air from outside.. On "Auto" it seems to want to try to mix some hot air into the cabin.. Honda told me this is "Normal" ... just proof that the Accord Climate control system is poorly designed.

[redlineaccord]

It was worse in my old 2003 mitsubishi galant.. you woudent get cold air until you revved it high lol.. I think it has to do with some kind of power saving, or it could be whenever the radiator fan kicks in it needs to free up some extra power.. completely normal on my 2012 Lx-s

[TopSniper69]

Originally Posted by kvndoom

Mine does that also, even on the lowest temperature. Some people don't even notice it, but others (like me and perhaps you) are extremely sensitive to even slight temperature changes.

And me lol I guess it's not "only my car" Thanks for clearing this up for me.

[Bandigo]

happens to me as well, sent it in 4 times thinking its faulty...guess it was the 45 Celsius degree weather.

[dogboy]

our a/c doesn't cool very well. took it in and of course it cools properly according to honda's test. but I can tell you when it is 75* - 80* and you have the a/c on recirculate and as cold as it will go and you are still hot something is wrong. I then started monitoring the air coming out of the center left vent here is what I found.

44* - 45* while sitting at idle. regardless of how long you let it idle.
37* - 57* while driving at any speed over 1400 rpm. now it takes 7 seconds to go from 37* to 57* and 7 seconds to go from 57* to 37*.

how can your car cool in hot temps when the air coming out is off half of the time?

I took it back to honda and again they check it saying it is cooling to honda's specs.

the car is under a certified honda warranty until Nov.

Dogboy

[korbas]

Originally Posted by dogboy

our a/c doesn't cool very well. took it in and of course it cools properly according to honda's test. but I can tell you when it is 75* - 80* and you have the a/c on recirculate and as cold as it will go and you are still hot something is wrong. I then started monitoring the air coming out of the center left vent here is what I found.

44* - 45* while sitting at idle. regardless of how long you let it idle.
37* - 57* while driving at any speed over 1400 rpm. now it takes 7 seconds to go from 37* to 57* and 7 seconds to go from 57* to 37*.

how can your car cool in hot temps when the air coming out is off half of the time?

I took it back to honda and again they check it saying it is cooling to honda's specs.

the car is under a certified honda warranty until Nov.

Dogboy

Alternating between 37 and 57 sounds about like what mine is doing, but based on everyone else's responses, it sounds totally normal. 57 degree air blowing into your face is too warm?

[Winchman]

Unlike every other car I've owned, the radiator fans on the new Accords come on only when the AC compressor is actually running. On all the others the fans stay on whenever you are in AC mode.

Since the compressor cycles on and off, the fans do likewise. That causes a significant drop in heat transfer in the condenser coil, especially when the car isn't moving very fast. That would probably explain the change in temperature at the air outlets.

They probably did it that way to get another .001mpg.

[Bandigo]

Originally Posted by Winchman

Unlike every other car I've owned, the radiator fans on the new Accords come on only when the AC compressor is actually running. On all the others the fans stay on whenever you are in AC mode.

Since the compressor cycles on and off, the fans do likewise. That causes a significant drop in heat transfer in the condenser coil, especially when the car isn't moving very fast. That would probably explain the change in temperature at the air outlets.

They probably did it that way to get another .001mpg.

MILEAGE MATTERS *FROTH*

Rawr

[johnnydinh701]

yea the same thing happens in my car too. but i notice that it get cooler as i step on the gas.

Also whats the difference between the regular A/c button and the "MAX A/C," they both feel the same to me

[Winchman]

Max AC closes the outside air intake, so the air in the car is recirculated. It's a LOT easier to cool recirculated air, since much of the moisture has been removed on the first trip through the evaporator.

Of course, you won't notice much difference when the outside air is already dry.

[kvndoom]

Originally Posted by Winchman

Max AC closes the outside air intake, so the air in the car is recirculated. It's a LOT easier to cool recirculated air, since much of the moisture has been removed on the first trip through the evaporator.

Of course, you won't notice much difference when the outside air is already dry.

Recirc is also very helpful when the air stinks outside (roadkill, paper mills, water treatment plants, etc...). I keep it on all the time except when defrosting in the winter.