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Hi, I bought my 05 Civic used, August of last year. When I bought it the AC blew cold air. It wasn't as cold as another 04 Civic I had test driven earlier that day, but was still noticeably colder than the surrounding air. I didn't have to use it much as the fall wasn't terribly hot, and I didn't use it all winter. The car does heat well though.
Now come summer I am finding that it doesn't cool the air at all, which sucks when the temperature is reaching well into the 30s and feeling even hotter. I'm wondering if anyone can help at least narrow down which issues it might be and which it wouldn't be, and let me know if I can diagnose and fix this myself or if I am going to have to pay a shop a decent chunk of change to fix it?
As far as I can tell the clutch is not engaging. It should be spinning if it engages right?
Additionally the condenser fan does not turn on (I'm not sure if that is relevant). The condenser itself has some small debris in it and is slightly bent throughout, but there does not appear to be any major damage from what I can see. How would I check if the system is low or empty?
Would I be better off having a shop diagnosing it at that point?
It looks like it will be at least $80 for a set of gauges that I will use once or twice.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: Diagnosing AC issues
Originally Posted by 2005sedanLX-G
As far as I can tell the clutch is not engaging. It should be spinning if it engages right?
Additionally the condenser fan does not turn on (I'm not sure if that is relevant).
Yes it should spin if engaged, and yes. fan status is important info. Both radiator fans should be running whenever the compressor is engaged.
Does the blower fan work? This is critical info as well.
How would I check if the system is low or empty?
I might jumper the low pressure switch, see if the rad fans and compressor then kick on.
Originally Posted by 2005sedanLX-G
Would I be better off having a shop diagnosing it at that point?
.
Depends on how much you want to work and learn lol
FWIW many average shops won't know what to do with it if recharging the freon doesn't make it work.
The air in the cabin blows well, especially after I cleaned out the cabin air filters. The condenser fan and the one right beside it (radiator fan?) do not turn on when I turn on the A/C. I checked the fuse for the condenser fan and it is good.
The compressor clutch is not engaging at all. How would I jumper the low pressure switch? Is that electrical or does it have to do with the valves?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 517
Re: Diagnosing AC issues
How would I jumper the low pressure switch?
unplug pressure switch
unfold paper clip into a U shape
start engine, turn on ac and fan controls
touch both ends of paper clip to the 2 terminals in the connector shell
if fans and clutch kick on, I'd assume the system is low on freon (it's leaked out somewhere, that should be fixed as well)
If nothing kicks on, it's got other issues to diagnose. Multiple problems are always fun.
Check the switch with an ohm meter to see if there is continuity thru the switch too.
I managed to source a repair manual for the 01 civic, which should work on my car. I'm currently trying to work my way through the troubleshooting for that. On step 8 my tester isn't lighting up so I'm going to look more into that.
I'm hoping at this point that it is just a leak, as that sounds easier to repair than trying to rewire something. On the plus side, the clutch was clicking when I jumped it (step 5), so that gives me some hope.
Diagnosing AC issues 
