Hi all

I have a R12 system. My AC would suddenly lose all cooling for 10 minutes or so, sometimes longer and all of sudden come on again. There's no pattern when it would turn off. During this period of loss of cooling the compressor clutch would be disengaged. When the AC is working, cooling is super so I don't think a low charge is an issue. By the way air flow from vents were not affected.

Initially I thought it might the PCB relay as described in the FAQ. So when the AC misbehaved, I did some voltage testing. Voltage at both connectors to the pressure switch - 11.44V. Voltage at the wire junction/connection going to the compressor - 11.04V. Doesn't seem like a PCB nor a pressure switch problem as there's is current going to the compressor. Maybe 11.04V isn't enough to make the compressor come on? So I waited for the compressor to engage, measured the voltage again, all the same except the voltage at the compressor wire which a tad bit low 10.59V. I assume that's normal.

I'm not sure what's going on. Could a soon to die compressor exhibit this sort of weird problem? I've replaced the compressor twice in my brick's life and they didn't die this way.

Any other ideas folks?

Thanks