My AC has started acting up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I put a gauge on it today and this is what it is doing. When first turned on, the compressor kicks in and blows cold air. The gauge showed pressure was fine. I let the car run for about 5 minutes, then there was a sound as if the compressor cut off, and the guage began to read in the red "possible mechanical problem". The thing is that it does this while I am driving. It will blow cold for a while, the will blow cool or warm, then blow cold again. Does this sound like a bad compressor, or maybe just a bad clutch because when it is working, it blows good, cold air.
Also, worst case, if I did need a new compressor, how long would this repair take if done by a professional? I already know where I would take it, and the guys are pretty good.

Sounds like you are low on refrigerant. When the pressure drops too low it kicks off until the pressure builds. Then it kicks on again. It repeats this to keep harm from happening to the system. I would add some and see what happens.

Jay

Does the display on your ECC head unit flash? If you have a system fault (including low refrigerant) it should.

Thanks for all the replies. Problem fixed, bad connector plug to compressor caused intermittent loss of power to compressor. Also had bad reservoir which was causing a loss of vacuum during accelleration. All is well now.