Rep Power: 0

I am having an issue with my Honda Civic 2005. When the engine is idling and the air conditioning is on, the engine starts to click and shake irregularly. There are no check engine lights on in the car.

The a/c condenser has been replaced several weeks ago and this issue only came about after the "repair". The engine appears fine when the air conditioning is not on.

Any help is appreciated.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNWJZmK6nos&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

 
Rep Power: 199

When the air conditioning compressors clutch kicks on and engages the clutch it will put more load on any engine. With a 1.7l at idle, 5 hp loads it a lot. It is a big load on the engine. If it is charged right when it comes on you are compressing the "HI" side of the a/c to around 150 psi, so that is quite a load.... If you don't hear the clutch itself making weird noises don't worry about it. You also have the electrical load of it and the fans.

 
Rep Power: 517

That compressor is cycling too fast in the video. (on-off-on-off every 3 seconds)
Are you turning it on and off like that with the switch, or is it doing that all by itself?

If it is doing this by itself and bogging the engine, the system could be overcharged (cuts out at 455 PSI). Return to whomever serviced the AC last.


If you were doing that with the button, then refer to the post from johndeerebones above.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 199

The video is new to the post since I was on... Don't know where you are at by your sig and stats, what is the ambient? If it's normal temps I would have to agree with ezone. The charge isn't right.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks, I am in Chicago and the compressor is doing this by itself.
I just press the a/c switch once and it has the behavior in the video when the a/c stays on.

 
Rep Power: 517

I'd say that whomever did the last AC work owes you a system that works properly.
If it is really overcharged as I suspect, a human had to do it.
It didn't suddenly grow in there or anything.
Make sure to remind them that this has been going on since they last touched it, if this is true.
Good luck.

 
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Thanks, I will bring it back this week.
If the system is overcharged, can this effect or break other components?

 
Rep Power: 517

Mainly the AC won't be efficient, probably doesn't cool very well at all. Annoying cycle times. Hard to say if something will be damaged by it, but I'd have to say don't run it until this is fixed.

If you never ran the AC (or defrost), you would never know there was an issue.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 185

It sounds like you have two issues going on there. I'm going to make a couple of assumptions since you didn't specify when the problem started after you had the condenser replaced along with some other key facts.

Firstly, to me, the condenser is cycling because you have no R-134 in the system. It depends how long after the condenser was replaced this started, but it sounds to me like it leaked out which will causing the condenser to continuously cycle like it's doing. It's constantly trying to build pressure. With no R-134 in the system, the pressure builds very quickly to the upper pressure limit and the pressure switch is opening the A/C circuit to shut the condenser off. It'll continue to keep cycling like this indefinitely until you get R-134 in it.

Secondly, a tiny engine shutter is normal when the compressor kicks on, but IMHO, yours is excessive. I'm going to assume, once again, that the battery was disconnected at some point during this ordeal. If that is the case it sounds like the idle re-learn procedure was not done properly which will cause the engine to shake like that when a big load like the condenser kicks on.

That said above, It could be overcharged and exhibit similar symptom but my money is still on no R-134 at all and bad idle re-learn.

It could be problem with new compressor as well, but you didn't specify how long after it was replaced when this started to actually happen.

Good luck with what ever the shop finds. Please let us know what the problem is if you get a chance.

 
Rep Power: 0

I took the car back to the mechanic and at first he said he did not find a problem and did not want to recharge the system. But after having the a/c on for an hour or so he started to see the issue.

He mentioned the freon was wet, so they took everything out of the system and recharged it. Afterwards they said it significantly stopped the noise.

So after one long round trip and a week of driving, I have not had any issues.
Thanks for all the help and advice.

 
Rep Power: 252

Firstly, to me, the condenser is cycling because you have no R-134 in the system. It depends how long after the condenser was replaced this started, but it sounds to me like it leaked out which will causing the condenser to continuously cycle like it's doing. It's constantly trying to build pressure. With no R-134 in the system, the pressure builds very quickly to the upper pressure limit and the pressure switch is opening the A/C circuit to shut the condenser off. It'll continue to keep cycling like this indefinitely until you get R-134 in it.

This is not correct.

I think your mixing the compressor with the condensor, two different things.

If there is no refrigerent in the system the compressor does not kick on. Period.

 
Rep Power: 252

I believe a low charge could cause that as well is that true ezone?

 
Rep Power: 517

No. Wait... WHICH part?
And that entire paragraph made little sense.


This system does not use the pressure switch to cycle the compressor, it uses an evaporator temp sensor to cycle it.

The pressure switch is in the HIGH side of the system. It is only used as a safety device.

The pressure switch is CLOSED between 28-455 PSI.

The compressor will still engage with a somewhat low charge, even though it can't cool well.
All the system needs is to have more than 28PSI (static pressure) and it will run.


HTH

 
Rep Power: 185

Oh, come on ezone. Don't beat around the bush. Feel free to tell me I'm all ****ed up. Don't ***** foot around it. I'd hate to actually attempt to help someone out and then find out that I'm AFU and no one told me. Feel free to beat me down like a plastic doll.

 
Rep Power: 517

Edited to say paragraph. Sorry.

 
Rep Power: 252

Matt, just make sure you know what your saying before giving advice. Its not terrible to be wrong but what you explained made no sense at all.

 
Rep Power: 252

Just thought low refrigerent levels would also cause the compressor to cycle on and off quickly as well.

As I was filling my dads truck (new condensor) with refrigerent after the first can the compressor cycled on and off alot. (My gauges were going crazy)

After that first can it was still low about 12 oz.

This is why I asked. Sorry for the confusion.

Once the system was filled to the max (28 oz) It cut the cycle time in half if not more.

 
Rep Power: 185

I understand I was not right there.

Question. What is the low pressure cutoff for the pressure switch? The schematic I have shows that there's a low pressure point that will open the pressure switch as well. Do you know what that pressure is or is my schematic wrong?

Thanks for the knowledge in advance.

 
Rep Power: 517

Only on some designs that use a low side pressure switch to cycle the compressor--usually found on systems that have a fixed orifice as opposed to a TXV, or on systems that use the low side pressure switch as a safety cutoff.

This Civic won't, because it does not use pressures to cycle the compressor during normal operation.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 185

Yes. I understand. I was wrong as pointed out be ezone that this system doesn't use the pressure switch at all for cycling the compressor.

 
Rep Power: 517

Already answered:


HTH

 
Rep Power: 185

Sorry for making you repost. Below 28 and above 455. I will shut up now and never post here again. I"ll just stick to fixing electronics on fast attack submarines and stay away from this car stuff.

 
Rep Power: 517

Whoa, dude. I thought I had done a good job of letting the post go until it was called out by 04. I didn't do any of my usual nit-picking that I am apparently known to do.


Does everyone just expect me to fish with dynamite or what?

 
Rep Power: 252

lol I didnt call him out, just what he posted didnt make sense. Anyway thanks for clearing that up for me ezone.

 
Rep Power: 185

IDK. I'm one who like's to be told I'm ****ed up so I don't do it again. I like nit-picking. I just need to learn to really STFU if I don't know for sure what's going on. I thought I had a clue in this case, but obviously not. I have a lot of experience with my 02 Civic and a few other makes, but not nearly as much as you. I was j/k about not posting again, but I will make sure I know what the **** I'm talking about before giving advice like I did.

We, I think, as a community appreciate experienced people like you that take the time to help us. I know I do.

 
Rep Power: 517

Um, thanks but I quit drinking like 3 1/2 years ago.
I'm still having some rather ****ed up mood swings due to nicotine cravings, I quit smoking in mid February.


I'm an internet junkie now (in my newly found free time).

 
Rep Power: 185

That's ok, I'll drink them for you.

Where did the newly found free time come from? I guess I falsely assumed you were a full time mechanic, even as I type this.

 
Rep Power: 517

Oh, I still am.
I was just thinking of how much time I used to waste doing other things after work.

 
Rep Power: 185

Ahh, good stuff.

BTW, I'd feel better with plastic Jesus watching the road and not me.