compressor cycling question

[penguins25]

i was driving 7:30 in the morning it wasnt hot out yet i had my ac on with the fan on a low speed
it was blowing nice and cold
i was in stop and go traffic and reached speeds of up to 35mph

i know my fan was running at red light and at 35 i know i was depending on the air flow from driving to cool the condenser
i stopped to get gas and popped the hood

my compressor was doing cycles about 15 seconds on and10 seconds off
is this normal once the cars cold

[tbirdtbird]

Make/model/year?

Have charge recovered then weigh in correct charge, for starters

[Tim]

Cold, not hot out, low blower, why was it cycling? Coil was cold, and cycling was not to allow the core to freeze up.

That's the way I read it.

[penguins25]

is there a sensor on the coil that prevents it from getting to cold
i know about the sensor on the dryer that prevents the pressure from getting to high

[JohnHere]

Lacking knowledge about your vehicle's make, model, year, and specific center vent temps, the compressor cycling and condenser fan operation sound like normal operation to me.

If the car's interior is comfortably cool, the compressor cycles to prevent evaporator freeze-up, which would block airflow into the cabin. So I think Tim is right.

If your only concern is the compressor cycling off and on, my advice is not to worry about it. If you're having other issues with the system, that's something different.

[JohnHere]

is there a sensor on the coil that prevents it from getting to cold

Many vehicles have that, but I don't know about yours.

[penguins25]

its a 2008 mercury grand marquis
i had a thermometer in the vent it was just about on the 40 degree mark

[tbirdtbird]

What are your ambient temps....

If it is not hot out I have to wonder why you even need AC, maybe turn the temp control back a little

[Tim]

its a 2008 mercury grand marquis
i had a thermometer in the vent it was just about on the 40 degree mark

40 degrees, low blower speed, and vehicle cycles. I have no idea what your concern is at this point.

[penguins25]

well here is my concern
my condenser fan went out before and my ac wansn't cooling properly
this is what it was doing it was cycling back and forth
low side 75-150
high side 300-500

I fixed the fan and now its working good
i just have a complex about the coolant in the condenser getting properly cooled now
someone said i could wear out my compressor or pressure switch if it cycles like that the way it was doing

I was thinking to wire a tiny led light to the compressor so i can see exactly when the compressor is running or am i over thinking this?