Rep Power: 0

I have an '02 EX Civic (Canadian Model). The a/c this summer doesn't seem to blow as cold as previous years.

When I drive on the highway with the a/c engaged, the air temperature fluctuates. The Honda dealership says this is normal. I went for a ride with a service advisor and he stuck a digital temperature gauge stuck into the centre vent. The temp. varied between 39 deg F and 48 deg F. He said the a/c was working fine and that the compressor cycles off if the air gets too cold.

My concern is:
1) Isn't the temperature cycling also a sign of low refrigerant?, and
2) I don't feel the compressor kicking on & off as I drive.


Does anybody else notice this kind of behaviour with their a/c?

 
Rep Power: 812

It's basically normal. The compressor will kick on and off all the time, so the air won't be refrigerated constantly. A common problem is the system losing charge a little, but that's different. If you want colder stuff, switch to envirosafe.

To test your problems, drive on the freeway at a constant 65mpg for 30mins and then see how cold it gets. That will allow the lubrication fluids to circulate. You can also get a voltmeter and watch it closely. When the compressor turns on, it should drop a few volts.

 
Rep Power: 0

If you have a dark interior, it will take a little longer to cool off given that it was baking under the sun.