AC cycles off/light blinks?

[cheezwizard]

Hey there,

So I was driving around a bit yesterday in me '99 3.5 GX, pretty stop n go, and at a couple times my AC went off by itself and started blowing regular air. I think the AC button light was blinking too, kinda hard to see during the day.

I didn't see anything about this in the owner's manual. I went out again last night and the AC stayed on for the whole hour drive.

Not sure if I should have the AC serviced, any advice much apreeshed!

CW

[paulkramer]

Where you driving hard? There is a cut-off switch for A/C when you open the throttle beyond a certain point.......

[cheezwizard]

No, actually it was just around town driving, 30-40mph. It was stop and go though. When I went out later it was more open roads at steady pace. The AC seemed plenty cold when on too.

[retiredaf]

I've had the same problem with my 2000 Intrigue, started about a year ago. Recently I've noticed how the a/c seems to work fine when it's not so hot(mornings, evenings). During the heat of the day, the light on the a/c switch will start going off and on and the cool air stops. I thought it was a problem with a leak in the system, but after checking, it was good. I think the problem is most likely with the control panel itself. When the light goes out, I can tap on the panel next to the a/c button and it will come back on. I would suggest looking into getting a new control panel, I will be. I hope this helps.

[cheezwizard]

Yeah, I think I've the same deal retiredaf. Seen a bit more of this behavior since last post. I smacked the side of the console and the AC came back on. Stays on most of the time but sometimes blinks on/off.

I also noticed it affects the recirc/fresh buttons for me, but no others. Sometimes they work fine, other times nay. I'm not bugged enough by it yet to look into replacement.

Please post though if you replace your control panel, how much $, trouble, etc.

Thanks,
CW

[Ruley73]

My girlfriend's '99 Intrigue has a similar problem. Once in a while the A/C just won't work at all. Her A/C button light on the control unit is burnt out so we never know when the A/C is really on. The climate control unit is really easy to replace. She has the electronic climate control on her car and we were quoted $100 from the junkyard and its over $400 from GM.

[rncotton]

I had this exact problem on the 2000 Intrigue. I removed the control panel and took it apart for inspection. While I was in there I replaced the dim green LED for the A/C switch with a blue LED (MUCH easier to see now). Ever since then, the system has NEVER turned off by itself.