A/C blows no cold air?

Tiny
KELDA ROSE BENNETT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.7L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 215,000 MILES
My car's A/C will blow cold air then after a while it will blow hot air them cold then then stay hot. I have had it recharged and hoses replaced. Anytime I have looked under the hood the compressor doesn't look like it's spinning and the A/C is blowing hot. If I let the car sit for a couple hours the A/C will blow cold again and sometimes it feels as if the fan isn't blowing as hard as it can.
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 AT 5:40 AM

25 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen this problem before the AC compressor clutch coil/compressor needs to be replaced. Here are two guides to help walk you through the repair with diagrams below to show you how on your car:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
JONNYB1963
  • MECHANIC
  • 263 POSTS
Good afternoon Kelda,

I am assuming that you took this vehicle into a repair shop to have it charged, correct?

The behavior you describe almost sounds to me as if it were overcharged. Would it possible to take it back to the place that did the A/C charge work and just have them check the pressures?

Regards
Jon
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
KELDA ROSE BENNETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Jon!

I checked the pressure myself and it had said overcharged so I took it back to have it looked at again and they redid everything while changing o-rings and hoses as well. After this trip is when the A/C started working intermittently still.

Thanks,
Kelda
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
JONNYB1963
  • MECHANIC
  • 263 POSTS
Ah, That's a fairly common occurrence these days with those DIY kits they have out now.

My colleague Ken (who obviously was typing his reply to at the same time as I =)) suggested that the clutch may be faulty on the compressor. Which is certainly a possibility. But before diving into that I would check into the pressure switches.

Most vehicles these days have two safety switches. One for the high pressure side, and one for the low pressure side. The low pressure switch prevents the clutch from engaging when there is not enough refrigerant in the system to prevent damage to the compressor. The high pressure switch disengages the clutch when the pressure reaches a pressure set by the factory. This is also to protect the compressor and other hardware.

I would have those looked at first and then look at the clutch as Ken suggested.

Regards
Jon
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
ADRIENNE FORD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,500 MILES
My air conditioner hasn't worked for years so I finally took my car in for the repair. Well it still is not working properly. The cabin of the car is not getting ice cold like I know it should be. They did not replace the dryer although it was recommended. They did a a/c inspection, a/c evacuate and recharge. System caps. A/c dye, schraeder valve. And put in R134 freon. On the performance test my car was labled average at 58 degree temperture. Front vent tempertures at 55 and gauge pressures at 110 high and 22 low. Does this sound right to you and what do you think I should do.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
THe system sounds like it is not charged completely. Here are two guides and a video to help fix it.

https://youtu.be/uZrQCGwXfek

and

https://youtu.be/4EqdrBVb0sY

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TRESHA81
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I am not feeling any cold air coming from my air codition?I would like to know why?
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Often this will be low refrigerant normally due to a leak, you will have to get this check first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMF1673
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
The AC works normal for about 15 minutes. Then the compressor shuts off. The inside fan blows hot air. The evaporator fans work. The compressor clutch doesn't engage the compressor. The car has to be turned off for half hour before the AC clutch engages the compressor again. Then all works normal for another few minutes. The relay has been replaced with a Honda part. The thermostadt inside the evaporator has been replaced with a Honda part. Originally, I believed the system was over charged causing the high pressure switch to turn it off. I released a very small amount of freon (yes in to the air), and all worked OK for a few days, then started doing it again. I released a little more until it didn't cool well, and then added a small amount back so it would. It has not been evaluated by a professional nor been on a real recharging station. Any ideas please?
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_97accordac_1.jpg


I would check the AC pressure switch and diode before sending the vehicle to an AC recharging service.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:39 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELIMO50
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
We are having problems with the compressor coming on. We have checked all the fuses and they are good. We also hooked the compressor up directly to the battery and it came on. What do you think the problem might be.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi EliMo50,

Did you check the clutch relay? Try swapping them.

When AC is turned ON, compressor does not catch but do the fans start working? Here is a guide to help you test the relay and the location of the relay below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ELIMO50
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You are a genius! The relay has bad once I replaced it the system started working thanks!
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VISIONS916
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,388 MILES
I'm have an AC problem on my car where it just blows hot air. Initially I thought it ran out of freon, but I went to Sears Automotive to get it refill they were not able to get it to charge. I wasn't sure what they said, but they mention when they went to charge AC the compressor would not kick on. Please can you direct me in the right directions for troubleshooting.

Thanks,
Tim
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Tim,

Thank you for the donation.

You need to check if power is being supplied to the AC compressor when when AC is turned on.

Does the cooling fans comes on when the Ac is turned ON? If no, you need to check the AC compressor relay and fuse.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_ACrelay97Accord_1.jpg



Fuse # 34.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_FuseHood97Accord4cyl_1.jpg



If fans comes on without the compressor working, the compressor clutch could be faulty. Disconnect clutch wire and apply battery voltage, clutch should click.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VISIONS916
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, your information help me diagnosed that the AC Relay was bad. I replaced the Relay and now I have AC. Thanks 2CarPros you were a great!
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You are welcomed and glad to be of service.

Thank you for using 2carpros :)

Have a nice day.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUBBERB
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1997 HONDA ACCORD
  • 190,000 MILES
Changed compressor, vacuumed system, no leaks. Hooked up gauges and put in oil charge. Tryed to put in freon low side went to 110 and high side went to 100. Compressor would not kick on. Please give me an idea where to start checking. Compressor is from salvage yard.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Did you try jumping pressure switch?
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 11:41 AM (Merged)

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