g4384063

20A Fuse #56 keeps blowing. It apparently supplies voltage to both the a/c condenser fan and a/c compressor/clutch. I don't appear to be leaking freon and the fan & clutch appear to be working but only hot air blows into car. Unless, I'm missing something I believe I need an a/c compressor. That said, when I called my local dealer he gave me 2 options:

1) Re-Manufactured Compressor Part# 38800-P2R-A01RM
$574.52 w/clutch & coil
plus chore = $50

2) New Sanden OEM Compressor Part# 38810-P2F-A01
$666.55 w/out clutch & coil
plus chore = $50
plus clutch $230
plus coil $108

I checked the only salvage yard nearby and non in stock...
What would you do?
Thanks!

ezone

You should give more car info, it helps to know details when I try to look up information.


I looked up a 2000 Civic....
fuse 56 runs the condensor fan and the compressor clutch on this car.

Um, once the #56 fuse blows then both of those should quit working.

Is this correct?


----
Assuming it blows the #56 fuse and the AC system quits because of that:

I'd fully expect the condensor fan motor to be bad and blowing fuse before the clutch, unless there's bare wires shorting somewhere..

Can you test each unit with an ammeter?
If you can't test each item with a real ammeter to find current draws, I'd probably unplug the compressor connector, then turn on the AC system and make sure the condenser fan still runs.
Then drive around with the condenser fan running for a while, see if the fuse blows while running just the fan.

I don't think I have seen any of Hondas clutch coils shorted but I've seen plenty of fan motors bad and blowing fuses---and they don't always blow right away.



Here's a bad fan motor that was a pretty spectacular failure:

g4384063

My apologies...1996 Honda Civic EX 4dr Sedan.
And thanks but I'm looking for opinions on re-manufactured vs new a/c compressor and perhaps where to buy?

ezone

Through Honda you can purchase the coil, clutch and pulley separately from the compressor if you want to go that route.
I usually opt to fix a pulley, clutch, or coil problem if I think the compressor is still good inside.


I really can't offer opinions on new vs reman through the dealer, I can't remember the last time I had to replace a whole compressor myself on a Civic, and yours is older than what we usually see at this shop.



Price is probably the biggest factor, along with considering how long the car would be expected to last at this point in its life, as it's already almost 20 years old.

I hate taking chances on aftermarket as quality is a crapshoot, I've seen far too many repeat failures that came from other shops----and were sent back to those shops that did the work.

g4384063

Thanks!
Yes, she's an oldie but a goodie but after putting $2,000 into her in 2010 and a new battery in past 6 mos., I agree about price & expected life, at this point...but I also agree about aftermarket. I'm the original owner and all routine maintenance and repairs up to this point have been done with OEM Honda replacement parts. That said, I've had no big problems until this other than a slight oil leak, a recently noisy front left axle & check engine light.

That said, if anyone has helpful thoughts or opinions on re-manufactured vs new a/c compressor and perhaps where to buy, it'd be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!