radiator fan kicking on/off every 15 seconds

[coolmazda5]

^^ Oh yes

US and Canada:

Rest of the world:

Getting off topic but by 2010 Ford will bring it here, so take a look:
http://www.mazdav.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123711350

 

[raspykart]

dang, thats a bummer... yeah I notice when I'm warming ours up in the garage you can hear it cycling if the auto climate is enabled. Ya know I would have to double check but I bet the AC has its own fan too.

 

[kls2000]

I don't think I have noticed it with my 08, but think it's safe to say your 08 is raccoon haunted. The only good thing that might come out of it, is if your kids are messy and drop alot of crumbs and food....it will vanish...

 

[AIMWO4]

The cycling is normal.

I also note that under hard acceleration and switched to outside air, the compressor cuts off until you back off the throttle. If you keep it on recycled air, this effect is greatly diminished.

 

[ofplon]

i know the cycling is normal - the concern here is the cycling frequency - cycling occurring too rapidly.

my 5 was at the shop for a day, and because it was the 1st cool day in weeks, the AC was cycling less frequently, and the mechanics could not get it to cycle every 10 seconds like i described. they said to bring it back when it's happening and they'll go from there.

the disturbing thing is that nobody seems to know what the appropriate cycling interval is - you'd think it would be mentioned somewhere in a manual or repair guide.

the freon charge was good - i'm going to not worry about it and let it cycle away...

 

[AIMWO4]

The PCM controls the AC compressor clutch. From the manual:

"In A/C ON mode, the A/C signal (magnetic clutch) is turned on/off according to the temperature of the air passing through the evaporator. The temperature of the air passing through the evaporator at which the A/C signal turns off is determined by the ambient temperature calculation value that is calculated based on the ambient temperature, set temperature, cabin temperature, and sunlight intensity. By setting the A/C signal off temperature low when strong cooling performance is needed, such as when the ambient temperature is high, and setting it high in other conditions, cooling comfort and fuel economy during A/C operation are improved."

i know the cycling is normal - the concern here is the cycling frequency - cycling occurring too rapidly.

my 5 was at the shop for a day, and because it was the 1st cool day in weeks, the AC was cycling less frequently, and the mechanics could not get it to cycle every 10 seconds like i described. they said to bring it back when it's happening and they'll go from there.

the disturbing thing is that nobody seems to know what the appropriate cycling interval is - you'd think it would be mentioned somewhere in a manual or repair guide.

the freon charge was good - i'm going to not worry about it and let it cycle away...

 

[kls2000]

The PCM controls the AC compressor clutch. From the manual:

"In A/C ON mode, the A/C signal (magnetic clutch) is turned on/off according to the temperature of the air passing through the evaporator. The temperature of the air passing through the evaporator at which the A/C signal turns off is determined by the ambient temperature calculation value that is calculated based on the ambient temperature, set temperature, cabin temperature, and sunlight intensity. By setting the A/C signal off temperature low when strong cooling performance is needed, such as when the ambient temperature is high, and setting it high in other conditions, cooling comfort and fuel economy during A/C operation are improved."

(boom04) ha ha, at least the manual kept the explanation simple... "and if a train leaves Boston at 40mph..."

 

[skyhawk]

In summer and long trips with 6 humans and luggages, one will still end up setting the fan dial to the Maximum speed. Mazda needs to send their autoclimate programmers to las Vegas in the the hot summer.. Let them sit in the 3rd row of the mazda5 and set the climate control to 'auto'. Oh, this should be done after car had been parked under the sun, and someone forgets to set the dashboard sun cover.

 

[TRXSandRacer02]

You realize your waranty would cover an A/C performance issue right?

 

[AO928]

You realize your waranty would cover an A/C performance issue right?

Not if it was damaged while hitting a racoon. Insurance will allow up to 1 year for additional claims from the same incident.

 

[AIMWO4]

I took the 5 out in 96 degrees yesterday. I rolled down the windows and took it down a quiet street with good sound "bounce". I turned on the AC, and listened to the compressor kick in and out. The only time it kicked off, was when I accelerated at a good rate. Otherwise, the "system" determined that the compressor neede to be on. I imagine that once the cabin reaches a certain temp., the compressor cycles at a rate comparable to what the demands are.

 

[TRXSandRacer02]

the a/c compressor cycles on a number of variants Ambient temp, cabin temp, low side line pressure, thermo exansion valve pressure, how much r134a is in it, what kind/quality of pag oil and amount, also on radiant sunlight/heat

 

[skyhawk]

the a/c compressor cycles on a number of variants Ambient temp, cabin temp, low side line pressure, thermo exansion valve pressure, how much r134a is in it, what kind/quality of pag oil and amount, also on radiant sunlight/heat

I think the worry is 'Is it harmful'?. Physically, it's the aircon clutch engaging the compressor and then disengaging. 'Sort of giving 'trickle' charge to the cooling system, keeping the 'freon' circulating..

I know in house a/c this can be considered "Short-cycling" and is not good.
maybe someone with a/c expertise can explain. .