Why does the car air conditioning turn on by itself and then shut off after a while?
2 Answers
It may be due to a faulty temperature controller. The car temperature controller is essentially a switch controlled by temperature. The starting capacitor of the cooling fan might be damaged, causing the fan not to rotate, leading to overheating and protective shutdown. Refrigerant leakage could result in a significant decrease in the air conditioning's cooling capacity, making the machine prone to overheating. The car air conditioning system is designed to cool, heat, ventilate, and purify the air inside the vehicle. It provides a comfortable environment for passengers, reduces driver fatigue, and enhances driving safety.
My car used to do the same thing—the AC would turn off automatically after running for a while. As someone who runs an auto repair shop, I've seen many similar cases. First, check if the temperature sensor is dirty or faulty, causing it to misjudge that the cabin is already cool and shut down. The compressor clutch might be the issue—poor contact can cause it to disengage soon after starting. Insufficient refrigerant can trigger the system's low-pressure protection, automatically shutting off the compressor to save energy. Or it could be a control module malfunction, causing the AC to cycle on and off frequently. Poor relay contact is also common and can lead to sticking under high temperatures. I recommend using an OBD scanner to check for error codes before dismantling anything yourself. Regularly replacing the cabin air filter can prevent airflow blockages that cause problems. Safety first—get it checked by a professional shop early on, don't tough it out.
