An A/C question

Okay, I'm not sure if anything's wrong or not yet, but I figure I'll run it by you guys before I try to talk to the dealer.  It's been almost 70 degrees out lately, and so I've been running my A/C.  Black on black in the middle of the afternoon sun and all.  Anyway, last night, I got out of my car with the A/C running.  When I got out, I could hear and see the A/C clutch engaging and disengaging, literally every 5 seconds.  This seems insanely fast to me.  Is this normal, or do I need to make an appointment.  I mean, the fans hardly seem to have time to do anything before they slow down.  What's up with that?  Thanks.
 
Alan

Which Outlander do you have...an '07?

umm, did you have the ac set to fully cold.
Did you have the temp, or fan speed set to "auto"

My 07 LS does the same thing, I guess its normal, I would run it through the dealer though and keep us informed.

The first Gen Outlanders had problems like this too...there was a recall.

Yes, sorry.  It's an '07 LS.  As for the settings, there is no auto setting.  It was set to MAX A/C, with the re-circulation on.  The fan was only about 2/3 power, and it was set to the floor/face output.  When I turned it off the MAX, it still cycled every 5 seconds, but the rpm's were slower.  If anybody else has had this problem, let us know.  Thanks.

What's an A/C clutch anyway? I'm not a mechanic. can somebody explain how I can best observe this issue on my Outlander?

Go to the dealer and have it looked at!

Interesting... you think the re-circulating air might be pushing the A/C to run stronger and keep the compressor going more often??
 
I will check my '07 LS as well. I never run it on re-circulating (unless there is a trunk in front of me or something) and never run it on Max. I better check mine.
 
Now for some more A/C questions:
 
1. Is it bad to start the A/C compressor dirving over 30MPH - 60MPH? My mom idd it the other day and the A/C made a weird noise. My friend who has a Mazda 3 turned on teh A/C on the highway @ like 70MPH and the A/C was blowing some fog (not smoke). What do you think?
 
2. How often should the A/C clutch engage and disengage on an idling vehicle while the A/C is on, not on Max setting? I think about minute or so... what you think?
 
3. How often do people have to get more Freon (R-134a)? I know it is a closed system, but some cars seem to lose freon faster than others. How long do you think an A/C system can run without having to rechange/seal the compressor?

You, know now that is getting hotter over here and I find my self using the AC more often, I have started to notice this two and its kind off anoying. Has any one talked to the dealers about this yet?

I had the same problem with my '03. There was a re-call abd it really sounds like the same thing that's happening to you. I'd go to the dealer just in case...if you have the time.
 

Just an update, and an opportunity to vent.  I have not gotten to the dealer yet because of unforseen circumstances.  My dealer is about 45 minutes away from me.  Not terribly close, but it's okay.  Well, I call up to set an appointment to get it looked at.  The conversation goes likes this.
 
Me:  I need to schedule an appointment so you can look at my air conditioner.
Them:  Okay, what kind of car do you have?
Me:  A 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS
Them:  . . . . I have some bad news for you, sir.  We are no longer a Mitsubishi dealer.  We have been bought out by (a competetitor) and they did not pick up the Mitsubishi contract.  I'm very sorry, sir.
Me:  Well, (expletive deleted).
 
The morons are willing to buy the Dodge/Chrysler part and the Hyundai part, but not Mitsu.  CRAP!  So, my next closest dealer is two and a half hours away.  That ruins an entire day just for a service appointment.  AND I have to get the car on a weekday because the service department isn't open on the freaking weekends.  I just knew this would happen.  Piss on it all.
 
Okay, I feel better.

I havent noticed this,
but I have noticed that the a/c system draws a ridiculous amount of power from the engine.
I mean, when you turn it on, its like the damn thing just dropped 3 cylinders out the engine bay.

quote:

ORIGINAL: soundcolor

I havent noticed this,
but I have noticed that the a/c system draws a ridiculous amount of power from the engine.
I mean, when you turn it on, its like the damn thing just dropped 3 cylinders out the engine bay.

 
That's why your mpg drops dramatically when you have AC on.

That's crazy about the dealer dood....sorry!

dood, the same exact **** happened to me. Only my dealer closed down to make room for the nissan dealer next door.
How freakin irritating is that

Is Mitsu on the way out? Will Mitsu be able to handle the evil ways of the world? Stay tuned......

I don't think Mitsu is out, but some isolated dealers could be. They are in and out like in any other business.

can the evo save mitsu
will they be revived by the power of the outlander
or will they get crused by inferior products by "the man"
 
tune in next time for...
Mitsu dies an evil death at the hands of honda
or the 300 pound gorilla toyota squashes mitsu into a million pieces
 
 

Its all about sales numbers - someone in Japan will assess whether they are satisfied with their NA market share numbers and whether they have/can/will achieve their goals.  Simple.
 
I was also part of the 98% of Canadian consumers who don't think about Mits when buying autos.  I was ready to buy either the Rav4 or the Santa Fe (probably the Hyundai) when I saw the Outlander Dakar 2007 ad on TV - it hooked me and I did the research.  My own belief is I made a great choice in terms of value for money, styling, comfort, features, quality, etc.  I believe I am the only new Outlander owner in my city of 85,000 (no local dealership) - although I did see a Montero the other day.  Its a tough sell at the moment but I hope Mits persists - they do have a great product, IMHO.

thats the problem. Most people view mitsu as just another Hyundai or KIA, which sucks, because while they dont have the money of honda, or toyota, they make better products in my opinion.
Just that they cant get people out to their lots to see their cars.
 
Mitsu really needs a concerted advertising campaign. Its the only way people are going to actually be persuaded to stop over at their dealerships.
Before the outlander, the only reason I would even stop at a mitsu dealer was to look at an evo. They need better advertising, thats what sells cars. period

I think we just need a huge chat room. We cant even seem to keep the topic going for more than 1 page hahaha.

lol true, the chat room idea is great.

ehh, nah, that would suck, because very few of us are on here at the same time.
But Im a bandwagon type of guy. So, if its what everyone else wants it, then Im in.

Chat rooms have their place but are lousy for coralling useful information which is why I much prefer the forum format.