Rep Power: 0

I picked up a 98 Civic EX for a fairly decent price considering the AC didn't work from a dealer. Dealer said that the pulley bearing was bad, but whatever, I made him take the price of a full compressor off what he was asking. He also said that it had a full charge of refrigerant in it.

So, press the AC button the compressor comes on, blowers work. Set to max cold, the air is not cold, set to hot, the air in the car gets hot, check. Press the AC button off, compressor shuts off.

I am kind of skeptical just replacing the pulley+bearing because the compressor may be getting ready to go out the door soon anyway, and I plan on DIY'ing it (having a shop reclaim the freon). So maybe the compressor will be an easier replacement instead of just doing the clutch assembly since it requires more specialized tools right?

Come to find out replacing the pulley+bearing is kind of pricey unless you specifically order those parts since most come with a new clutch too ($115~).

New reman'd compressor is $~250.

I plan on going to a shop and having them give me a reading of the high and low pressure to see if maybe there was a leak or something. Should be 80 pounds low and 140 high right?

The only other thing I can think of is the expansion valve right?

I plan on going home today and seeing if the clutch engages or not when the AC turns on, it should be visible to the eye right?

 
Rep Power: 811

you may need a new receiver/dryer as well, might as well since its not that expensive. dont forget to have the whole system cleaned out before recharging. you should hear a loud click when the clutch engages. and yes you can see it with a flashlight. its down low so kinda hard to see if its turning.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the response. I found a 2001 AC compressor DIY on here by Brobo, but I am not sure it will apply to the gen 6. https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...essor-diy.html

Pretty much the same deal?

Also, is cleaning the system something I can do myself once I have the freon reclaimed?

 
Rep Power: 811

it will be very similar as most hondas use the same components for the system.

 
Rep Power: 0

So, if I didn't feel like an idiot, I do now. I just looked at the compressor etc, and it doesn't even have a belt on it! fuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh

So it could actually be working, but it doesn't have a belt on it so I can't test it...

Anyone know this part number?

 
Rep Power: 811

haha nice. dont know the part, but you can look it up at www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the help Gearbox!

 
Rep Power: 0

Dealer probably took belt off to hide compressor bearing noise!

Also, if you get a shop to hook up and show you the pressures, they should be as follows for a fully charged and proper working system:

Without system running: Low side - 70-80 psi and the high side should be the same.

System running: Low side: 30-40 psi
High side: >120 psi but shouldn't get above 200 psi

ALWAYS replace receiver/drier when replacing a compressor - most compressor manufacturer's require that in order to validate warranty anyway.

Good luck

 
Rep Power: 0

Reviving this thread because I'm having a similar issue now.

Got a brand new compressor installed, it worked great (before winter). Now that its hot as hell outside, my AC stopped working. Awesome. Clutch isn't engaging.

Using test wire, jumping it directly from the battery, it works fine. All the fuses work. Compressor fan turns on when the "AC" button on the dash is pressed and lights up green. Checked the single (red) power cable and there are no breaks in the cable, and it checks out fine by my standards. Swapped relays and checked ALL fuses, seem to be fine.

Took it to a shop, had ALL the freon drained. Took it home, loaded it up with EXACTLY .610 kg of spec refrigerant. In between the min and max there. Still no workie...

Help?

 
Rep Power: 811

its a long shot but maybe check the evaporator temp sensor (white thing sticking into the blower duct near the gas pedal). if its broken, it can cause the entire system to not work, even if the other components are fine.

 
Rep Power: 518

Maybe disagree.

Radiator fans running tells me the system is trying to turn on the compressor (most systems--what year is this car?)

I'd start my diag at the clutch relay.

 
Rep Power: 811

i mustve missed that. disregard previous comment if your fans are coming on. also arent both fans supposed to come on not just one?

 
Rep Power: 0

The compressor fan comes on when the "AC" button is pressed, but the engine fan comes on later when it gets a bit hotter.

98'

Checked all the wires and everything I could get my hands on, and it seems fine.

I remember a while back someone I knew had a similar issue. It ended up being something on the compressor itself... Like a fuse, but not a fuse. You can't get to it unless you take the compressor out I think... Drawing a blank.

 
Rep Power: 518

Depends on where you connected to jumper it. There is a thermal protector that sits on the compressor and connected in the wire to the clutch. If it is open circuit, then the clutch won't engage. Since I don't know where you connected a jumper, I can't tell if you bypassed this or not.

If you can jumper at the clutch relay and have the clutch work, then the thermal protector is ok.
Continue tests at the relay socket with a simple test light.
Turn the engine and AC on, there should be 2 powers and 2 grounds with the clutch relay pulled out of the socket. If you have those, then the relay is bad. If you don't have those, then you now have a solid direction to chase.



HTH