Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has or has had this issue, or if it's perfectly normal and not an issue at all.

If I'm driving around with the A/C off (ECON mode) or with the fans off (system off), and I turn on the A/C, just as soon as the compressor engages, I'll get a 2-3 second hiss from behind the dash, probably the evaporator.

As the compressor cycles on and off, each time it engages, I'll get the hiss again.

Just wondering if I need to look into it. During the summer, it ran Okay, but I'm thinking maybe I have a low refrigerant condition. I'd have to put the gauges on it to see for sure...

Thanks,
Nick

 

Checking your refrigerant charge is the simplest way to determine if it's low. Most A/C shops will check it for free. Or you can invest in your own gauges.

I used to hear the hiss when the A/C first turned on in my XJ40 too. It was not due to a low charge.

Cheers
Bill

 

Nick:
I had the same 'problem' a few years back. Car sounded like Darth Vader after a while. I had it recharged and the hiss went away. Problem is, that refrigerant is really hard and expensive to come by in my area, so I need to have the retrofit done. I was thinking about doing that this summer. Don't know if you'll have the same problem, or if your system has already been converted.
Scott