2000 Cavalier a/c -ok going- cuts off stop

[cavman1]

2000 Z24 Cavalier a/c seems to cool fine when moving, but when you stop you can hear the compressor click off, blows hot air of course
until you are moving agin. Thanks in advance for help.

[mike2004tct]

Low on refrigerant.

Get a kit from a parts store that has the install hose with the gauge on it, about $25-$30.00 at most stores. It will include 11 oz. of R134A and about 2 oz. of oil.

[cavman1]

Originally Posted by mike2004tct

Low on refrigerant.

Get a kit from a parts store that has the install hose with the gauge on it, about $25-$30.00 at most stores. It will include 11 oz. of R134A and about 2 oz. of oil.

Thanks Mike
But why does it cool OK when moving?

[mike2004tct]

The two major reasons are;
1) higher RPMs, the compressor spins faster, thus compressing more of the refrigerant gases.
2) As the vehicle moves faster, cooler air is flowing through the condensor (the small radiator device in front of the normal radiator) allowing the refrigerant to cool better.

[cavman1]

Originally Posted by mike2004tct

The two major reasons are;
1) higher RPMs, the compressor spins faster, thus compressing more of the refrigerant gases.
2) As the vehicle moves faster, cooler air is flowing through the condensor (the small radiator device in front of the normal radiator) allowing the refrigerant to cool better.

Thanks Mike

[LunaCity]

Wrong answer. i had the same problem on a 98 chevy cavalier.

Took me months to figure out: Your cooling fan is busted.

The cooling fan on the Chevy cavalier cools both the engine radiator and the a/c radiator. When you are driving the air flow keeps both radiators cool, but when you are at a stop, the a/c overheats and cuts out.

Incidentally, I didn't figure this out until after having my coolant run out and my engine overheat on the highway. Once I fixed the cooling fan though ... the A/C worked like normal.