A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
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I've done several searches over the last few days in an attempt to figure this out, and have been unsuccessful in finding a scenario that matches the one I'm currently in.
My A/C went out last weekend on my 96 civic LX while returning from a road trip. after doing some investigating here's what I've found so far:
1. The system is holding pressure. Static pressure is ~100 psi on both the high and low sides. when attempting to engage the a/c system from inside the car, these conditions remain the same.
2. I've checked the fuse box next to the battery and under the steering column. My understanding is that 17 under the dash, and two(cant recall description of these two fuses) under the hood are related to the a/c. Is this correct?
3. moved around the relays for the compressor and the condenser fan. No changes to current situation. I have not yet attempted to jump the relays.
4. No awkward noises were heard before the system stopped working. I was in the car and pushed the button for the a/c. the a/c button does not light up when pressed.
5. about a week earlier, the #4 setting for the fan (max setting) stopped working. 1-3 still function properly.
for those of you with any experience with this, what typically could be the cause for this, besides what I've listed?
Thanks in advance for the help.
My A/C went out last weekend on my 96 civic LX while returning from a road trip. after doing some investigating here's what I've found so far:
1. The system is holding pressure. Static pressure is ~100 psi on both the high and low sides. when attempting to engage the a/c system from inside the car, these conditions remain the same.
2. I've checked the fuse box next to the battery and under the steering column. My understanding is that 17 under the dash, and two(cant recall description of these two fuses) under the hood are related to the a/c. Is this correct?
3. moved around the relays for the compressor and the condenser fan. No changes to current situation. I have not yet attempted to jump the relays.
4. No awkward noises were heard before the system stopped working. I was in the car and pushed the button for the a/c. the a/c button does not light up when pressed.
5. about a week earlier, the #4 setting for the fan (max setting) stopped working. 1-3 still function properly.
for those of you with any experience with this, what typically could be the cause for this, besides what I've listed?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Last edited by Grimlock; 07-20-2012 at 11:03 AM.
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I know the radiator fan turns on when the engine is getting up to temp. I revved up the engine yesterday to make sure the fan came on. I cannot recall if the blower was running or not.
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Rep Power: 288 Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
Hmmm... a lot of people are having this issue right now and it's most likely the clutch coil.
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You can replace just the coil. However, you may want to test it first to ensure it's the coil. I would take it to a shop and tell them you suspect the coil is faulty unless you have the electrical tools to measure resistance. It's #11 here:
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...20%28SANDEN%29
About the hardest part of the job is removing/replacing the two snap rings that hold it together. You can attempt it for sure
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...20%28SANDEN%29
About the hardest part of the job is removing/replacing the two snap rings that hold it together. You can attempt it for sure
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You can replace just the coil. However, you may want to test it first to ensure it's the coil. I would take it to a shop and tell them you suspect the coil is faulty unless you have the electrical tools to measure resistance. It's #11 here:
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...20%28SANDEN%29
About the hardest part of the job is removing/replacing the two snap rings that hold it together. You can attempt it for sure
http://www.hondapartscheap.com/find-...20%28SANDEN%29
About the hardest part of the job is removing/replacing the two snap rings that hold it together. You can attempt it for sure
Is a multimeter all I need to test the resistance?
Also, If the clutch coil is bad, why would it cause both the condenser fan and the green light inside to not function correctly?
I've done quite a bit of engine work on my other car, but this car is a newer one for me. My A/C work is also minimal(I just had to replace the compressor on the T/A) hence the 120 questions. As long as I know what direction to go, I should be able to handle it.
Thanks again for the help
#13
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
Is a multimeter all I need to test the resistance?
Yes.
Also, If the clutch coil is bad, why would it cause both the condenser fan and the green light inside to not function correctly?
It won't. You sound like it may have a problem on the control side.
Answer this: When you turn the AC button ON, does the condensor fan come on in the engine compartment?
Wait up a minute. You stated this here happened:
5. about a week earlier, the #4 setting for the fan (max setting) stopped working. 1-3 still function properly.
Fix this first. The AC controller gets a signal through the fan speed resistor set.
THEN see what happens.
No?
Then I'd start with fuses, then maybe checks of the PCM data (AC request signal Y/N? This splits the system in "half" for diagnosis.) a wiring diagram, test light and DVOM, and I might start at the HVAC control unit, depending on what else I noticed or what other answers I got.
(Did not do any research for this answer.)
HTH
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Why not buy a junk yard ac compressor for 25 dollars? Seems cheaper, and less work than just replacing the clutch field set. Some have a bad item exchange policy . My ac is going out too I think my bearings are gonna give out soon lol so I been shopping around.
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^ Because a compressor will be a lot more than 25 bucks from a junkyard for an OEM. Even if they pulled it off a car. If you get an aftermarket they are JUNK. Your better off to replace the coil for around 100 bucks and be done with it.
#16
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
How about not wasting that money until you KNOW what the real problem is?
Someone is gonna be pissed when they finally figure out the problem still ain't fixed.
Naaah, that would make too much sense.
Someone is gonna be pissed when they finally figure out the problem still ain't fixed.
Naaah, that would make too much sense.
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Rep Power: 288 Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
I found this website today that will get you started:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7649305_tell...essor-bad.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7649305_tell...essor-bad.html
#19
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
I found this website today that will get you started:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7649305_tell...essor-bad.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7649305_tell...essor-bad.html
It's like someone (who really doesn't know much about cars in the first place) wrote that article based entirely on their experience with a single car, and assumed every other car on the road will be exactly the same.
Management thinking: "All cars have 4 wheels, therefore they must all be exactly the same."
/nitpick
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Haha yea.. there are a few things on there that I thought were off base too. Including #1 where it says the compressor clutch won't engage if the battery is under 12.5 volts. But, I decided to run some tests on mine just to see (seeing I have a 7 year old battery)
1. I checked the battery without starting the car, after it's been off for 2 days. The battery read 12.5 volts. Good enough for me.
2. I started the car with the "AC" off, the battery read 14.59 volts, good enough for me.
3. I turned on the air condition, and it worked!!! The battery read 13.58 volts, meh.. lots of draw from the fans + compressor.
4. I left the car running, slowly the voltage on the battery dropped to around 12. Of course idling, when I revved it up past 2000 the voltage went back up over 14.
5. I turned the "AC" off while it was working, and turned it back on. The clutch failed to engage. The voltage had charged back up to 12.8 but was slowly dropping back to 12. It may have gone lower had I given it some time.
6. I cycled the AC about 10 times, each time checking for the clutch to engage and it will not engage at all. I even revved the engine up to bring the voltage above 14 and then started it, but the clutch will not engage. It has nothing to do with system voltage.
Anyway, it's probably irrelevant, but I did have a few minutes here to tinker with it while the kids ate.
1. I checked the battery without starting the car, after it's been off for 2 days. The battery read 12.5 volts. Good enough for me.
2. I started the car with the "AC" off, the battery read 14.59 volts, good enough for me.
3. I turned on the air condition, and it worked!!! The battery read 13.58 volts, meh.. lots of draw from the fans + compressor.
4. I left the car running, slowly the voltage on the battery dropped to around 12. Of course idling, when I revved it up past 2000 the voltage went back up over 14.
5. I turned the "AC" off while it was working, and turned it back on. The clutch failed to engage. The voltage had charged back up to 12.8 but was slowly dropping back to 12. It may have gone lower had I given it some time.
6. I cycled the AC about 10 times, each time checking for the clutch to engage and it will not engage at all. I even revved the engine up to bring the voltage above 14 and then started it, but the clutch will not engage. It has nothing to do with system voltage.
Anyway, it's probably irrelevant, but I did have a few minutes here to tinker with it while the kids ate.
#21
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
Did the fans run when you pushed the AC button?
This sounds like I would probably start my checks at the clutch relay.
I should start making videos of this crap I do every day. Wait, nobody would understand why though.
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Youve been helping me with my AC problems for a week now? I'm all over like 3 threads. Mine is most likely the coil.
Ive changed the relay and done tons of testing. Yes my fans turn on... refrigerant has lots of charge. I'm going to replace the coil when I feel like it. I'm not having major issues without AC so I'm not overly concerned about it.
Ive changed the relay and done tons of testing. Yes my fans turn on... refrigerant has lots of charge. I'm going to replace the coil when I feel like it. I'm not having major issues without AC so I'm not overly concerned about it.
#23
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
Youve been helping me with my AC problems for a week now? I'm all over like 3 threads. Mine is most likely the coil.
Ive changed the relay and done tons of testing. Yes my fans turn on... refrigerant has lots of charge. I'm going to replace the coil when I feel like it. I'm not having major issues without AC so I'm not overly concerned about it.
Ive changed the relay and done tons of testing. Yes my fans turn on... refrigerant has lots of charge. I'm going to replace the coil when I feel like it. I'm not having major issues without AC so I'm not overly concerned about it.
I guess it's like seeing so many different cars all the time, posting just becomes a blur.
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Is a multimeter all I need to test the resistance?
Yes.
Also, If the clutch coil is bad, why would it cause both the condenser fan and the green light inside to not function correctly?
It won't. You sound like it may have a problem on the control side.
Answer this: When you turn the AC button ON, does the condensor fan come on in the engine compartment?
Wait up a minute. You stated this here happened:
Is this the exact moment the AC quit? (DUH)
Fix this first. The AC controller gets a signal through the fan speed resistor set.
THEN see what happens.
No?
Then I'd start with fuses, then maybe checks of the PCM data (AC request signal Y/N? This splits the system in "half" for diagnosis.) a wiring diagram, test light and DVOM, and I might start at the HVAC control unit, depending on what else I noticed or what other answers I got.
(Did not do any research for this answer.)
HTH
Also, what should the resistance of the clutch coil be? Should the fan be running when I check it?
Thanks.
#26
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
Dash Fuses 17
Engine compartment fuses 47, 56, that's all I show in the diagram.
Field coil (general) 2-4 ohms. I did not look this up.
PCM checks, you need a good scanner with more datalist than any generic unit can give.
You still haven't answered this:
See, if you can't figure out how to answer a simple question like this, then I can't help diagnose your problem, and you may be doomed to the mercy of the parts cannon.
Handy pic of a parts cannon:
After you throw a compressor at it and you find it STILL doesn't work.......
I'm going to guess you need a control panel for the heater and AC.
Throw that at the car and see if it fixes it.
/half serious
Engine compartment fuses 47, 56, that's all I show in the diagram.
Field coil (general) 2-4 ohms. I did not look this up.
PCM checks, you need a good scanner with more datalist than any generic unit can give.
You still haven't answered this:
Answer this: When you turn the AC button ON, does the condensor fan come on in the engine compartment?
Handy pic of a parts cannon:
After you throw a compressor at it and you find it STILL doesn't work.......
I'm going to guess you need a control panel for the heater and AC.
Throw that at the car and see if it fixes it.
/half serious
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LoL that parts cannon keeps showing up... I don't mind throwing parts at it if they are super, super cheap. Sometimes you get lucky, 99% of the time you will get mad.
#28
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Re: A/C compressor fan and compressor not engaging (No dash light)
My time is my commodity, I'm worth anywhere from $2-$10 per minute to the shop.
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The condenser fan never comes on.
the heater appears to be working just fine when I switch over to it
The three fuses you listed are the ones I have checked.
the heater appears to be working just fine when I switch over to it
The three fuses you listed are the ones I have checked.