Does the compressor engage all the time when you have the AC on??

[rothsean]

Or does it cycle on and off a lot?

[dmc6960]

It reasonably can do both, depending on about 5 major factors...

Blower Speed
Exterior Temp
Mod Switch Setting
Vehicle Speed
Engine Speed

Faster Blower speeds will tend to make the compressor cycle less frequently
Hotter exterior temperature will tend to make the compressor cycle less frequently
Mod switch set on Max will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently
Faster vehicle speed will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently
Faster engine speed will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently

In GENERAL (not an absolute rule), a car at idle on a hot day with blower speed on 4 the compressor likely will not cycle under a proper charge.
A car at idle on a cool day with blower speed on 1 or 2, the compressor will likely cycle every 8-10 seconds or so under a proper charge.

[mluder]

It reasonably can do both, depending on about 5 major factors...

Blower Speed
Exterior Temp
Mod Switch Setting
Vehicle Speed
Engine Speed

Faster Blower speeds will tend to make the compressor cycle less frequently
Hotter exterior temperature will tend to make the compressor cycle less frequently
Mod switch set on Max will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently
Faster vehicle speed will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently
Faster engine speed will tend to make the compressor cycle more frequently

In GENERAL (not an absolute rule), a car at idle on a hot day with blower speed on 4 the compressor likely will not cycle under a proper charge.
A car at idle on a cool day with blower speed on 1 or 2, the compressor will likely cycle every 8-10 seconds or so under a proper charge.

Does the fan cycling correspond with that? I find that on a hot day with the engine up to temp and the AC on my fan runs continuosly.

Cheers
Steven

[Bitsyncmaster]

Does the fan cycling correspond with that? I find that on a hot day with the engine up to temp and the AC on my fan runs continuosly.

Cheers
Steven

Your fans have to run when the AC compressor is on. But if your engine also needs cooling, the fans will also be running via the otterstat signal. So the AC...OR.....Otterstat will turn on the fans.