zzip7

Bought my 2001 Civic LX earlier this winter and today it was a bit warm out so I decided to test the A/C. I pressed the button and the light came on, but nothing happened.
The condenser fan doesn't come on and the AC clutch doesn't engage. I tested what I think was the thermal switch for continuity and it is good.

Please advise!
Thanks.

ezone

So you have no idea if it worked or not when you got the car, right?
How warm was it?

What do you think was the thermal switch?



I'd check the AC pressure switch for continuity first. If the system pressure is low or nil (switch open circuit) , the system will not operate.
(Actually I'd plug in my scanner and read if the PCM is seeing an AC request signal, and read if the PCM is turning on the compressor, but you probably don't have that option.)


HTH

zzip7

Unfortunately no. I didn't think to test the AC, I bought it in December when it was below freezing.

It was about 15C out today, but the car was parked in the sun so it was uncomfortably hot inside.

I did some more research, and it was the thermal switch that I tested.

Yeah, I don't have a scanner. But I'll try to check the pressure switch after work tomorrow, and I'll report back.

Thanks again.

zzip7

I checked, sure enough, no continuity
I am starting to think this might be an expensive fix if there's a leak somewhere.

ezone

Yes, it can get expensive to do it right.

It can be more expensive to do it wrong. Or cheap.



I would probably try to figure out for sure if the freon is low or empty, and then figure out where/how it got that way.

zzip7

I the pressure is low (around 5psi). I'll have to investigate more, I guess there may be a leak.