Rep Power: 0

Hello, all -

My daughter has a 2004 Civic LX. The battery is draining pretty rapidly while it's installed in the car. It seems to hold a charge decently when not installed. This leads be to believe that . . . something . . . is sucking juice with the car off.

So, I put the battery in the car, disconnected the negative cable, and inserted my voltage meter in line. When I complete the circuit I'm reading 3 amps, which seems absurd to me. I also hear and see the AC compressor slam closed as soon as the circuit is completed. This shouldn't happen, right?

If I'm on the wrong path, please point me in the right direction. If I'm on the right path, please help me down the road to a solution.

Thanks,

Matt

 
Rep Power: 517

AC clutch relay is stuck on.

Replace it with updated relay (new is MITSUBA brand) Honda part # 39794-SDA-A05


If the clutch has been stuck on, the system may have 'burped' out freon under high pressure, so be aware of that. If it has, the proper fix according to Honda is to replace the high pressure relief valve and recharge the system.

 
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Thanks for the quick answer.

I was just coming back to say that I've pulled the relay and, of course, the ac compressor doesn't snap closed, and that it only draws .12 amps. So, I'll see about getting a new relay.

How do I tell if the system burped and what not? To the best of my knowledge it's only been this way for few days.

 
Rep Power: 517

The relief valve (safety valve) is on the body of the compressor. See if there is an oily stain around it or a stain on whatever parts it would blow toward.

I think the valve points straight out the back of the compressor body toward the passengers side of the car, but the valve has a little cover on it so it may deflect any spray that came out and point it wherever the cover is aimed? Is the cover oily?

relief valve is #2, cover is attached as in the pic (cover, valve, o-ring)

 
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It looks like maybe a little bit of green snot is on that valve. Is this work something I can do at home, or do I need to take it to someone?

I'm having trouble finding the relay locally. Can she drive it for a few days without a relay at all while I wait for it to come in?

 
Rep Power: 517

Green? Is it fluorescent green or yellow? The oil in the AC system is perfectly clear unless someone has added UV dye to help find leaks.

Simpler: Wait til warm weather and see if the AC cools like it should. If not, then you may assume it lost significant freon...and you should remember this and know this is probably where the loss originated from.

As a pro, I'd say to take it to a pro that has freon recovery and charging equipment.
Ozone layer, ya know.

IDK if your local regulations prohibit DIY AC work.

It would be a matter of removing the freon from the system, unscrew the valve and replace, then add a smidge of the proper PAG oil and recharge the system.


Sure.
Driving without the relay will just stop the compressor from running, might not defog the windshield very good if it's only cool and humid.


Any dealership should be able to get the relay, down here most dealers can get almost daily parts delivery.



Toronto Honda? http://torontohondaparts.com/PartNumberSearch.aspx

RELAY ASSY., POWER (MICRO ISO)(MITSUBA)
39794-SDA-A05 $34.95

Drive down to the states and pick one up for about $20? LOL

 
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My concern was that the valve was now ruined and allowing moisture into the system. My ignorance of this is that could lead to even more expense down the line so should be addressed now. If I can wait until warmer weather, I will do that.

I've got a guy that I like real well for stuff that is beyond me, so I'll let him have it if it needs it.

The dealership told me no dealership in the state had one on hand and that I'd have to order it, for $55 or so. I finally found one at Advance auto for less than $9.

I'm not sure where you got Toronto from. IP geo location, maybe? I'm on a VPN, so that lied. I'm in Georgia. Where's "down here" for you?

Finally, thank you very much for the help. This would have been very hard for me if not for the advantage of your experience.

 
Rep Power: 517

Moisture isn't a concern unless the system is completely empty. Just burping out excess pressure wouldn't cause a total loss of the freon.

I might just wait til warm weather and see if it doesn't blow cold enough. Then address it.

MSRP is less than $20 (US) but dealers are free to mark up prices as they see fit.....but HOLY poop that's high.

Try this link, $12.37:
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...VIN+Number+---

None in the state? Maybe they all just replace with the original problematic relay .......and enjoy the business from repeat failures?

Yep you can find relays cheap, but most are likely to have the same problem later on. What brand did you find?




Yep you guessed it, and that explains it for me LOL. IP addy showed as near Toronto. I rely on IP addresses a lot when people don't post their location, as many parts of the cars are different between the countries.
Rust belt/corn field.
YW!

 
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Intermotor. The box says that it's "Genuine Import Parts". It must be good stuff.

If you think it's crap, and it may very well be, I'll order a couple (it looks like there's 4 in the car that are identical) from the link you posted and keep them on hand.

 
Rep Power: 517

The Intermotor brand is manufactured and distributed by Standard Motor Products

Stranded products......
Imported.... from China?
I'd only get one, since it's normally only the AC clutch that causes that original relay to have problems. I've seen very few failures when the relay is used in other circuits.

Maybe you can get a bunch and sell them to your friends, undercut your dealership and still make money?!?

 
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Of course.

I could triple the price and undercut the dealership. I'm very tired of getting screwed by dealerships. Typically, at least for my Toyota and Honda, the dealership parts prices nearby are three times Rock Auto and twice the local parts stores.

 
Rep Power: 517

If you know what the real prices should be, some parts departments will bargain with you or price match.
Some won't.

Internet is a wonderful thing, it can level the playing field.
Many dealers sell at wholesale prices online.

Shop dealers online if you wish.... Prices at Majestic are nearly the same as my employee discount at my dealership. Many online dealers that I have looked at are pretty close on their prices.

 
Rep Power: 307

Generic junk.

Improved original is stamped Vietnam....

Just leave it out until you locate one.