Airconditioner "cyclying" on 2006 OutBack wagon

[Bill Bradley]

I have the 2006 Outback VDC 3.0, and, am noticing (more and more, I think)
that when using the air conditioner, it seems to cycle on and off a lot.

I don't mean that the fan cycles, the "cold" cycles--the blown air goes
cold, then warm, then cold, every few seconds (seems like about 10 or 15).

I've turned off the AUTO control, and, just manually set the temperature and
fan speed, as AUTO seems to turn everything on to MAX, and, leave it there
forever. I've tried using both outside air, and recycled air, and, they
both seem the same (recycled air is overall cooler, of course).

Is this normal, or, is there a problem. My other cars, owned and rented,
just blew cold air all the time (would get cooler when you accelerated, but,
that seems to make sense).

Thanks.

 

[mulder]

I have the 2006 Outback VDC 3.0, and, am noticing (more and more, I think)
that when using the air conditioner, it seems to cycle on and off a lot.

I don't mean that the fan cycles, the "cold" cycles--the blown air goes
cold, then warm, then cold, every few seconds (seems like about 10 or 15).

I've turned off the AUTO control, and, just manually set the temperature and
fan speed, as AUTO seems to turn everything on to MAX, and, leave it there
forever. I've tried using both outside air, and recycled air, and, they
both seem the same (recycled air is overall cooler, of course).

Is this normal, or, is there a problem. My other cars, owned and rented,
just blew cold air all the time (would get cooler when you accelerated, but,
that seems to make sense).

Thanks.

Some cycling is normal, that is how the system works. If you think it
is excessive or if the behavior of the AC has changed since you got
the car, have your dealer check it. The AC could be over- or
under-charged.

 

[wiz561]

Let us know what happens. I have an 06 outback sport and I feel the
same way. Maybe it's just because the small engine where you can feel
it clicking on and off.

Either way, I barely use my defroster because I have bad feelings about
it when it clicks on and off so much. I know that it's probably just
psychological, but I try to stay away from it. I posted my concerns on
forums.nasioc.com, and somebody replied saying it was OK. Well, going
through the post, it looks like it may be a little related...

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=879383

Good luck and let us know what happens!

 

[Bill Bradley]

I'm going to ask them at the next service, and, will post the response. I
don't feel the engine change revs at all (I have the 6-cylinder, so, maybe
it's not as sensitive to the AC), the air blows at the same force, it's just
seeming to cycle between cold (and, it DOES get plenty cold, so, I'd think
it's charged enough) to almost outside air temperature.

Thanks.