A/C problem.

[chuck0]

I have a 3.5L Intrigue.
The A/C comes on and is cold. After about 10 min. the A/C seems to turn off on its own and cabin becomes warm/humid. Then a couple of min. later the A/C comes on and it is cold again. Then the process repeats, on, off, on, off, on.............
Also, every time it shuts off I hear a "pssst" noise.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to solve this problem?

[brcidd]

Watch your green light on the control head a/c b utton-- does it flicker when a/c compressor cuts-out? most likely since you said it is an intermttent on/off. If so you have the dreaded Malibu/Intrigue control head issue- which can be fixed by removing the control head- remove the blower motor selector switch which has the master a/c on/off brushes behind it. The brushes have poor contact because the grease put in there to save the brushes actually hinders them because it turns hard like earwax....so the easy solution- go buy a new control head for $125 or clean the brushes surface with a pencil head eraser- apply a new lite film of oil- bend brushes slightly to enable better force contact and re-install. I do about 2 a month this way with no comebacks...

[chuck0]

brcidd...
Yes, you are correct; the light does go off. I just replaced the blower motor pc board assy to restore the slower fan speeds and was worried that, that had something to do with it.
Are there any instructions online that show how to access & repair the brushes?
I see the blower knob slides out but i suspect I may have to dismantle the console. Do you think it will do any good to spray into the hole behind the knob with contact cleaner/lubricant spray?

[brcidd]

if you don't want to pull it out--(it is really easy) then it would be better to exercise the brushes against the metal surface by rotating knob back and forth a couple hundred times.....

You remove the ignition key collar, then pop out the facia around the radio and hvac control head- then remove 2 screws that hold control head in and then remove blower switch from rear of control head and then clean the brishes contact area. Heck, I used to do these in the work parking lot at lunch-- made $30 each one-- sure beats that $105 control head....

[chuck0]

brcidd...
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try tomorrow.
You didn't mention the contact spray/lube cleaner so I guess you don't have much faith in it, at least for this application.

I just found this on youtube for a Malibu. Looks like the fix you are recommending.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXx21L6Kixw

[chuck0]

brcidd...
Cleaned the contact wiping area today. The A/C is working fine now & it was an easy job.
Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

[brcidd]

it's nice to win one once in awhile!