AC compressor cycling

C

corey85TC

Registered
When sitting at idle I could hear something loading the engine 3 seconds on/ 10 seconds off over and over again. I popped the hood and saw a plate on the end of what I think is the AC compressor spinning and stopping.

The AC seems to work ok when I turn it on (though winter isn't exactly the best test time) however the question is, why should that be running at all when I have the AC off and its 40 degrees outside?
 
RE: AC compressor cycling

The A/C evaporator core inside your heater plenum serves two purposes:
1. Cooling when required.
2. Dehumidification at any temperature.

Ford's climate control systems' functions have not changed much since the late '70s -- the A/C compessor cycle is used to speed up the clearing and defogging of window glass in cool, humid weather.
On any year Town Car, the compressor will cycle in all positions except "Floor" and "Off" no matter what the temperature setting on the heater control is at.

Your owner's manual has a very clear explanation of the reasons for this in the 'Climate Control - Functions" section.

The very short On/Off cycle time is normal in 40 deg. ambient air temperatures.
 
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