Intermittent cooling when A/C on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ttimschwartz, Apr 4, 2012.

  1. ttimschwartz

    ttimschwartz New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    When using the AC on my 2004 Prius, in any mode, any temperature, on fresh or recirculate, the cooling starts and stops every 5-10 mins. When the cooling is on, it is nice an cold, but then no matter how hot outside, the cooling stops and I am just getting vent air. After a while, the temp in the car gets way above the set point, and it kicks back on and cools again. This occurs over and over again.

    Being as the cooling works well some of the time, I was wondering if it is a controller, not the cooling system itself.

    Thanks for reading!
     
    #1 ttimschwartz, Apr 4, 2012
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Do you notice anything unusual with your outside temperature reading on the MFD? That is the first input to the climate control.
     
    #2 nh7o, Apr 4, 2012
  3. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    You need to take the A/C in for service. It needs to be evacuated and leak checked. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DIY ANYTHING. It sounds like you have moisture in the system. The moisture will freeze, creating a blockage, then thaw out a few minutes later, allowing the refrigerant to circulate.
     
    #3 seilerts, Apr 4, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  4. Hybrid_Tom

    Hybrid_Tom Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Four
    Yes, you are going to need AC service. You may have a small leak and are low on freon. That will cause the evaporator coils to get too cold and freeze up on the outside, restricting air flow. After the compressor shuts off and the coils warm up, they will thaw out and allow air flow again. Then the cycle begins again.
    Or, as previously stated, you have moisture in the freon lines, and it freezes from the inside.

    Do you always have air flow from your vents, whether cold or warm?
     
    #4 Hybrid_Tom, Apr 5, 2012
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