I have a 97 Accord 4 cylinder automatic. After I have been driving with the AC on for a little while, I can hear (and feel) the compressor clicking on and off. Once it starts it will continue to click on and off every 2-3 seconds until I turn the AC off. It starts to occur very quickly when I am driving in the city, but it takes a little longer to start happening when I am driving on the highway. I checked the pressure and it was a little high, but not too high, so I let some of the refrigerant out to get it into the correct range and it is still occuring.

Also, the refrigerant I let out had a greenish tint to it. Is it supposed to?

Anyone know what might be causing this? Any help would be appreciated.

 

isn't it illegal to let refrigerant leak???

 

Yes it is. Considered as bad as dumping oil or antifreeze.

The green tint is a dye that they put into the lubricating oil in the refrigerant so you can visually detect leaks. It glows under a blacklight.

As for your problem... There could be a problem with the compressor or a there is a pugged line and pressure is building up and the compressor is tripping out when it's overloaded.

 

It's only illegal if you are a licensed mechanic.

 

Yeah keep telling yourself that. And you don't need to be liscensed to be a Mechanic.

It still may be overcharged. The turning on and off usually is a signall that there is to much of a charge in it. also followed by low idle.