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Hello

Having an issue with my AC. When I first turn it on, it will stay nice and cold for approx. 15-20 minutes and then it starts turning warmer, eventually becoming non existent. If I try and use it later or the next day, the same process repeats itself. I can hear the compressor turning off and on so that seems to be functioning.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 
Rep Power: 0

I had the same problem with my 01 ex, AC worked for 15 minutes then shut off but would work again after a few minutes if I turned it on again. The issue involves the magnetism with the ac clutch or at least it did for me. The ac clutch doesn't engage/disengage correctly because of it from what I read on another forum. Basically, their is a coil in the ac compressor that engages the ac clutch but over time the gap between the clutch and the coil becomes wider which causes it not to engage the ac clutch correctly. Two shims control the length of the gap and they either need to be filed down or one or both need to be removed as the ac coil gets weaker over time. There is something in the chilton's manual about checking the ac clutch gap.

I think I fixed my problem, my ac stays on now and doesn't start blowing warm air. I've already driven one 1hr trip and to work (40min drive one way) everyday this week so far with it on. It was an easy to fix though, all you have to do is remove one of the shims (washers) when you pull the ac clutch plate off the compressor shaft.

Steps

1) Jack up car, remove the front driver's side wheel. You might have to remove a splash shield if you can't easily see and access the ac compressor.

2) Now you have to remove the ac clutch plate. Its held on by one 14mm bolt onto the ac compressor shaft. You will either have to stick something in one of the holes of the ac compressor clutch to hold it in place (it will spin) or clamp it down. Be gentle with the ac clutch when removing it.

3)Once you have the AC compressor plate removed, you might see two black washers on the shaft, if not, you have to reach down to grab them from resting along the bottom of the shaft. They are like less than 10mm in diameter and very small.

4)All I did was just remove one and put the one back in its place on the shaft. Reinstalled the ac clutch, put the wheel back on, and turned the ac on. It works now which is pretty great since I haven't had a working ac system in a car since 2008 lol. Best thing, Cost to fix $0 and 10 minutes of my time.

If this doesn't fix the issue, it could either be the temperature sensor on the compressor or an evaporator issue (freeze up).