[Jackson49]

I've got a 2003 Element. I'm not the original owner and I've had the car for about 2 1/2 years and the car has about 97k miles. I had the serpentine belt changes last week. I don't drive the car much, the wife does to work, but on a road trip this weekend I got to drive it. The AC worked fine at highway speeds but when I came to a stop the compressor cycled off. It started to blow out warm air and didn't cycle on unless I press the recirc button. Once i started down the highway it came on and blew out cold air. Ambient temperatures where 96F.

In the garage after letting the car sit overnight I started the car and turned on the AC. Within a minute the compressor cycled off. The garage interior was in the 80s.

Do you think it just needs a A/C service because it's low on freon?

I know the car is old but it seems everytime I take my car into my dealership within a sort time afterward something else breaks.

Thanks for any advice.

Kelvin

Kelvin,

Unless you have the expertise, equipment and tools to diagnose/service A/C systems it is a good idea to take it to a trained professional in your area for service or repair. Just ask around to find out who has the best reputation for quality work and decent prices. It does not need to necessarily be a Honda dealership however. If the system is cycling on and off like you explained it could be low on refrigerant. Hope that helped some.

Jackson

 

[Jackson49]

Sounds like your coolant charge is starting to drop, given the age of you E that is mostly normal. A/C is not something we can even legally work on in my state without several licenses.
The compressor should cycle at intervals, if your charge is low it will cycle just quicker or not turn on at all.
Chris

Good point on mentioning proper certification and licensing. I failed to say that. In the eyes of the federal government you are not authorized to work on any refrigerant system without proper equipment to capture refrigerant, EPA refrigerant logs, etc. in addition to credentials.