what causes the A/C to cycle?

[Spades]

What causes the AC to cycle on/off? I believe my AC used to cycle when it got extremely cold, but now its cycling when its just beginning to get cold. The AC fan cycles together with the compressor which tells me its not the pressure switch or the temperature switch mounted on the compressor because the fan should stay on during the cycling if it were the pressure or temp switch. Ive tested and have 32 psi on the low side which is plenty.

Also, the AC switch itself has 2 modes:
-1st push = yellow light
-2nd push = green light

There has to be a reason to have 2 modes, but Ive never found any difference between them even when the AC was working properly

Car is 95 Tsi AWD... I used to have a 97 GST and it didnt have the 2 mode AC switch, only a green light when pushed on

 

[TheRock0720]

I had a 95 Avenger and it had a 2 stage button for the A/C as well. I noticed that with the first click the air was cool, but then when I hit it again to go into the second mode it got even colder. It must be like a cool and max cool a/c setting that you see on most cars today. Wonder why they got rid of it...

Well hope you figure it out, my first guess would've been low on refrigerant, but you already have that covered!

Cheers.

 

[stars]

I know this is a late post but for some of you out there....Normally I like to see 39 on the low side and around 200 on the high side at about 1500 RPM's. If the compressor is cycling on and off, usually it means the system is low on refrigerant. The two different modes like you stated have just a slight difference in temperature readings from the interior vents. On a really hot day you want the Max A/C mode which is the green light, if it not so hot that day you can select the amber light which is not near as cold as the Max A/C setting. Check your gauges make sure they are reading correctly and the outside air temp is atleast 75 to 80 degrees or more.