AC stops working

Tiny
XEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 HONDA CRV
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
The Ac stops working and the condenser fan fuse keeps getting blown. I noticed that at cold engine temp the ac will work with a new fuse but until engine temp goes up then the fuse fails. While at high temp, putting a new condenser fan fuse will blow immediately once ac is turned on. Could it be a bad clutch relay? Checked blower fan and it spins freely. No obstruction.
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Wednesday, April 10th, 2019 AT 10:28 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Hello,

It sound like the compressor clutch has shorted out but to be sure replace the fuse and disconnect the compressor to see if the fuse blows once the AC is turned on. If not the compressor needs to be replaced. Here is a guide to help walk you through the steps with guides below to show you on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 12th, 2019 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
XEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the reply, Ken. I will try to check on this one. Am really a new with this so the diagrams are really helpful. What I was able to already try on my own so far is to remove the clutch relay and let it idle with engine already at warm temp. So far fuse held on. Not sure if that is enough but that led me to believe it can be something related to the clutch assembly or line. Just a newbie hunch though. Would a relay actually cause such issue? Can I safely swap relay between clutch and condenser fan or radiator fan without causing further problems?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Saturday, April 13th, 2019 AT 2:47 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
What happens is the clutch coil shorts out due to age and pops the fuse 9 times out of 10. If the relays look the same you should be able to swap them. Let me know please.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Saturday, April 13th, 2019 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
XEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hello. I swapped the relays but did not really help other than ruling it out as the fault. It turned out to be something over the current capability of someone new like me. Got help on this one and as suspected, it came up that the magnetic compressor clutch is causing the fuse to short out. When getting it replaced, a bigger issue was found. The shaft (not sure if it's the correct name for it) where the magnetic clutch connects to the compressor is already faulty. It is loose and has a play to it. Was told replacing the clutch alone will just result on it failing again so I ended getting the whole compressor and clutch replaced.

Thanks for the help in guiding me to the right direction. Though it turned out to be a costlier repair than what I had anticipated and hoped for.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 12:18 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
GORILLACOMPANY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CRV
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 120,000 MILES
I had a Freon leak repaired about one year ago, the replacement Freon had dye in it to detect future leaks. In the last week, my A/C stopped working completely. When I checked under the hood, there was a bright red substance around the component that holds motor oil. The horizontal seal around that component in particular has this substance in the crease.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi gorillacompany,

Thank you for the donation.

Your description of the component is not clear and I am not able to understand what it is.

If you are able to laod a picture of the component, that would help.

As to the AC not working, did you check if the compressor is working?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GORILLACOMPANY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I tried to locate the A/C compressor, but I don't know enough figure out what it is.

I attached the picture, everything red appears to be new within the last few days.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/531721_P5270024_1.jpg



The red substance is all around the crease, and seems to have dripped down on other engine parts.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
That is the valve cover and the red substances seems to be sealants. I don't see how sealants could be dripping.

Under normal circumstances, sealants are not used as the valve cover gasket is a rubberised seal and is compressed to prevent leakages.

The compressor is the component at lowest point of engine at front part where it has a belt going over it.
When A/C is turned ON, the outer part should click and attache itself to work.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARGUY598
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1999 HONDA CRV
  • 150,000 MILES
I have recharged my air, tested pressure switch on drier, checked relay and a/c won't work. If I apply power at compressor pigtail it will engage.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, it is a separate system. Have the freon pressures checked.

Roy

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARGUY598
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I personally charged to proper level of freon and compressor will not engage.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
How much did you install? What were the pressures when you jump the compressor?

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARGUY598
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Evacuated system, vac for 35 mins, added 24oz, spec is 22 to 24.7. Pressures were 35 low, didnt have high side guage hooked up though
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARGUY598
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It appears that when the switch is turned on, there is not power going to compressor, continuity between relay box and compressor is good, fuse is good.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEF127
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CRV
Air Conditioning problem
1998 Honda CRV 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 98 CRV, during the summer when we start the A/C, it does not blow the air as much as it used to, it feels like it is hardly blowing at all, therefore, my kids in the back seat can not feel the air at all. During the winter we have the same problem with the heat. What is the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi def127,

You need to check for
1. Bad/weak blower motor
2. Clogged evaporator cooling fins
3. Leaking air passages.

Does the blower fan motor sound loud at max speed?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKEDEROUIN88
  • MEMBER
  • 137 POSTS
Have you tried to bypass the clutch cycle switch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DEF127
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
KHLow2008
When I have the fan on it sounds like it is on high, but feels like it is on low.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARGUY598
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I did bypass the cycle switch. Still made no difference.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 AT 10:32 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links