Air Conditioning Problem

Tiny
HONDACCORD91
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 193,000 MILES
Hello, I have had my car for 2 yrs without any issues. When I got the car the AC needed recharged, done; drove the car it was cold. The next afernoon the air didn't blow cold at all, thought there was a leak, no leak. I did some research, replaced the thermal sensor and the relays, still nothing. Lastly I noticed the AC would only work then the car was cool (not sitting in the sun all day). I could get cold air first thing in the morning, but never after work, when the car sat in the sun all day. Any ideas?
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 9:03 AM

27 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Can you tell me if the A/C compressor clutch is engaging at all? Get back to me and we will take it from there.

This guide will help us fix it

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
HONDACCORD91
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I am not for sure certain on how to tell. In the morning when I turn the air on, I can feel the idle drop and know there is cold air coming out.

Say it is the clucth, is that a costly repair? Just curious.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
I am not really thinking that the compressor clutch is bad I need to know if the clutch is engaging as this may lead to a low pressure or high pressure switch problem or a leak in the system or something. Here is a pic of the a/c clutch what it should do it when the ac if off it shouldn't spin once you turn the ac on then it should engage (you should hear a click) and the front part should spin. I need to know if it is doing this. Here is a pic of the clutch.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_567135_1.jpg

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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
HONDACCORD91
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for the picture, yesterday after the car sat for several hours in the hot sun. The clutch engaged but didn't run for more than 2 min after I started driving. This morning it was much cooler and the sun wasn't out, the clutch started and I drove 25 miles to work with the AC. I have had the system checked and there aren't any leaks.
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
If the the clutch is cycling often (engaging and disengaging) then there is a problem with either the low or high pressure switch or a leak. Have you put a die in the a/c system?
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
HONDACCORD91
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes the system has a die in it. It was filled last summer, but before I could get around to fixing the issue after replacing a thermal sensor and 2 relays it was Fall. If there was a leak it wouldn't be ice cold would it?

Why would the unit not even work if the car sat in 90 degree sun all day? It won't even turn on. Just blows hot air.
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok so if it is blowing hot air and the clutch is engaging then the system is low meaning it leaked out over the winter. Now if the clutch is not engaging the system is either to low to engage the clutch or one of the pressure switches is not functioning right. I have included a pic of the reciever dryer. If there is a sight glass on it then I need you to turn the a/c on if the clutch engages then look in the sight glass does it look like liquid or like liquid with air bubbles in it?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_239236_1.jpg

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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
HONDACCORD91
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well I am not 100% sure where that is located, if it is on the drivers side front just under the steering fluid reservoir, I didn't see a glass opening. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place.
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok it is in the drivers side front corner under the hood. Here is a pic of the system and it shows that there should be a sight glase on it, it is labeled as reciever dryer. It may have a rubber boot or cover on it. Let me know what you find.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_Graphic_96.jpg

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Thursday, June 25th, 2009 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
EGILBERT21
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 220,000 MILES
OK I WROTE EARLIER ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND HERE IS MY PREVIOUS POST.
OK I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TROUBLSHOOT MY AC AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY IT DOESNT WORK. OK THIS IS WHAT ALL IS GOING WRONG. AC LIGHT TURNS ON AND EVERYTHING BUT JUST HOT AIR. I LIFT THE HOOD AND THE AC CLUTCH NEVER ENGAGES. I JUST PUT A BRAND NEW COMPRESSOR ON. AND STILL NOTHING. I VACUUMED THE SYSTEM OUT AND ADDED FREON. WHEN THE FREON I GUESS GETS TO A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT THE CAR STARTS IDLE HIGH AND LOW. BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE AC OFF THE CAR IDLES FINE. WELL MY GIRLS DAD TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND THE TWO AC RELAYS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE CONDENSER FAN HE TOOK APART AND THEY WERE FRIED KINDA AND ONE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD OIL ON THE INSIDE. SO IM REPLACING THOSE TOMMOROW. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO. O THE CONDENSOR FAN NEVER TURNS ON AND ANOTHER GOOD PEICE OF INFORMATION THE CAR SAT FOR LIKE TWO YEARS. O AND THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS HOW HOT OR COLD TH AC BLOWS IN THE CAR IS BROKEN. IT ONLY STAYS ON THE COLD SIDE. HELP

OK I REPLACED THOSE RELAYS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE CONDENSOR FAN AND NOW IT TURNS ON. BUT THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH DIDNT ENGAGE SO I HOOKED UP MY GAUGES AND THE FREON WAS LOW SO I ADDED FREON AND FINALLY THE COMPRESSOR KICKED IN AND THE AC STARTED WORKING. NOW THE AC BLOWS KINDA COLD BUT NOT REALLY COLD AT ALL. NOW THE FREON ISNT ALL THAT FULL I NEED TO GET SOME MORE BUT OULD THAT BE WHY ITS NOT BLOWING ALL THAT COLD. OR WOULD IT JUST BE THE BROKEN TEMP CONTROL SWITCH IN THE DASH. O AND ANOTHER QUESTION. WHY DOES MY CAR IDLE ROUGH AND SOMETIMES WANT TO DIE BUT RECOVERS. IT IDLES EVEN ROUGHER WHEN THE AC IS ON.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi EGILBERT21,

When you have any unfinished business, you should use the post reply thread so that whoever was answering your question can follow up when notification is received.

When freon is insufficient, it definitely won't be blowing cold enough. Check if compressor is engaged full time, if not the temp adjust might be at minimum so would not be that cold.

Get the freon pressure up first before going further. We take one step at a time.

When the engine has poor idling, you need to check the idling circuit.

Give the throttle body, EACV, idle adjust screw and fast ilde a good cleanup with carb cleaner and it should solve the problem. Remember to adjust the idling speed without the AC at engine operating temp.

Hope there is no check engine light showing.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FLIPFURY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 90,000 MILES
My A/C has never worked since I got my car about 5 months ago. The A/C button lights up when pushed.
I do hear the "click". The belt is on and tight, the fuses are all good. I tried to put Freon in it and it went to the red zone so I took it off. I don't know what is wrong can you all help me?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi flipfury,

If the compressor is working and the air is not cold, you need to do a high and low pressure test and provide us with the readings before we are able to assist.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EGILBERT21
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 220,000 MILES
OK I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TROUBLSHOOT MY AC AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY IT DOESNT WORK. OK THIS IS WHAT ALL IS GOING WRONG. AC LIGHT TURNS ON AND EVERYTHING BUT JUST HOT AIR. I LIFT THE HOOD AND THE AC CLUTCH NEVER ENGAGES. I JUST PUT A BRAND NEW COMPRESSOR ON. AND STILL NOTHING. I VACUUMED THE SYSTEM OUT AND ADDED FREON. WHEN THE FREON I GUESS GETS TO A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT THE CAR STARTS IDLE HIGH AND LOW. BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE AC OFF THE CAR IDLES FINE. WELL MY GIRLS DAD TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND THE TWO AC RELAYS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE CONDENSER FAN HE TOOK APART AND THEY WERE FRIED KINDA AND ONE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD OIL ON THE INSIDE. SO IM REPLACING THOSE TOMMOROW. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO. O THE CONDENSOR FAN NEVER TURNS ON AND ANOTHER GOOD PEICE OF INFORMATION THE CAR SAT FOR LIKE TWO YEARS. O AND THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS HOW HOT OR COLD TH AC BLOWS IN THE CAR IS BROKEN. IT ONLY STAYS ON THE COLD SIDE. HELP
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi EGILBERT21,

You already found out your problem, and a costly one with the compressor, you should replace the relays and see what else is wrong.

If the switch is broken, you need to repair/replace it to be able to use it.

Remember to check the freon, you might have already overfilled it.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JLR292
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 214,000 MILES
High pressure on the low pressure side of system. Replaced expansion valve and drier with no change in cooling. Compressor and fan are both working. What next?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi jlr292,

Here are the diagnosis for suction pressure abnormally high.

Condition 1.
Low pressure hose and check joints are cooler than around evaporator.

Probable causes :
Expansion valve open too long.
Loose expansion valve.

Remedy :
Repair or replace as necessary.

Condition 2.
Suction pressure is lowered when condenser is cooled by water.

Probable causes :
Excessive referigerant in system.

Remedy:
Discharge refrigerant as necessary.

Condition 3.
High and low pressure are equalised as soon as the compressor is stopped and both gauges fluctuates while running.

Probable causes :
Faulty gasket
Faulty high pressure valve
Foreign particle stuck in high pressure valve.

Remedy :
Replace compressor.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GWAPODAWME
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
Air Conditioning problem
1994 Honda Civic Four Wheel Drive Manual

I have my aircon recharge with freon and expansion valve and dryer been replaced also. The high side pressure is from 200-230 psi while the low side is 30-35 psi. Condenser fan, compressor are working, but the problem is I cannot attain the coolness. Pls help me. The technician advised me to changed the compressor, but the compressor is still working. Is there a possibility that my sensor for the thermostat is not working well?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I would be checking that the heater tap is not leaking and bleeding hot water through the system when it is turned off, you can do a quick test by looping out the heater and seeing if the temp drops.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEITHGAULE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My 1994 honda civic is barely blowing warm air when heat is on, the temp control lever is difficult to move from side to side, are the two related and how do I fix the problem?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 11:08 AM (Merged)

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