Sometime the AC cools, sometimes it doesn't.
When it works, it works flawlessly. Icey cold, able to turn fans down to low to maintain desired temp. No audible sound from the electric condenser fan in the front of the engine. Perfect.
When it does not, front of engine condenser fan is at max. So loud I hear it over the sound of the engine at 60 mph on the freeway. Fan runs at max at cold start up too and never slows down. Engine temp gage on dash reads normal. Typical oil temp is 96-100 degrees, Voltage always remains above 14V. Inside the car, the fan speed hunts faster and slower in a pattern regardless of selected fan speed. Faster for about 3 seconds, slower for 3 seconds and repeats continuously. Also, I believe the system is trying to close the recirculation door in the passenger foot well. Open close, open close. The AC is doing something from a cooling POV. Perhaps 10% cooling. If I turn the AC button off, within 30 seconds I can feel the temp from the vents increase by about 5-10 degrees. Cooling is not much, but something. Normally it either works flawlessly for that trip till I turn the key off, or it does not work at all for that trip.
However, yesterday, while I was sweltering in the TX heat, at a light, when it turned green, I gave it maybe 50% power from the light. (quicker than the typical commute..) and miraculously, everything snapped into working flawlessly for the rest of the ride home. Frosty air within 5 seconds of accelerating, outside condenser fan quiet within about 10 seconds and stable interior fan speed.
Not to bias the group, but it seems electrical. A loose connection somewhere? Thoughts?
Is this something specific to a 63 CLK or should I post on the CLK forum?
I can imagine telling my wife, "honey, if you want the AC to work, you have to stomp on it..."