a/c... strange issue. ideas?

[wardfoto]

my wife's 99 i30 has developed a problem with the a/c recently. when you first get in the car, the a/c blows, but not cold. turn off the a/c button for about 5-10 seconds, and it works fine afterwards. usually, i'd have an idea, but this one's new on me. any ideas? suggestions? all help greatly appreciated. thanks, -justin

[C-Kwik]

If you can perhaps give us a bit more detail. IF you turn on the vehicle and it's left with the A/C on, does it eventually get cold ever, or do you have to turn the A/C button to th off position? And I assume you have to turn it back on before it works? When you initially turn the car on with the A/C button on, is the A/C light lit up?

[wardfoto]

yes, the light is on. no it never starts blowing cold, unless i do the on/off thingand yes, i do have to turn it on before it works again pretty much works as normal, except for not getting cold. turn the a/c off, wait a few seconds, turn it back on, voila! let me know if more info is needed.

[C-Kwik]

Could be a bad connection or switch. Might want to start testing at teh switch and the compressor to see if the compressor is getting a signal. I'm leaning more towards the switch and hopefully that is it as it would probably be one of the cheapest parts of teh things that could be wrong.

[wardfoto]

i'll check that out. i assume, based on the way things look, this is a tear into the dash to get to it type scenario?i pretty much usually only work on my land cruisers, so any help about the wifes fancy car sure is appreciated!!! thanks, -justin