Rep Power: 0

Coolant is full. Unit blows really cold air and then only warm air. Not the blend door because that manual control will add more or less heat as it is moved. Problem most likely to happen on very hot days. Changing settings and speed don't help. Unit just comes back on minutes or hours later. On a hot day, it will fail again within minutes. I won't be fixing this myself so I need help pointing my local mechanic or my Honda dealer in the right direction.

 
Rep Power: 517

Sounds like your compressor clutch disengages for SOME reason when it shouldn't.
Need to know if the radiator fans stop running when your compressor clutch quits, that would give a large clue where to go with it.

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This thread sounds real similar to your problem.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...specially.html

Stay tuned for any updates to it, maybe his answer will be the same as yours.

I'm suspecting a bad thermal protector on this ATM.

 
Rep Power: 0

Honda Dealer said the clutch gap is too big and they will only quote replacing the entire compressor, clutch, coil assembly. If I have to replace the whole unit, I'm considering a third-party compressor with clutch and having a local mechanic install the unit. Any further comments or suggestions?

 
Rep Power: 517

I can see why they would want to sell you a compressor, that would be an easy $1000 bill.
Sadly, there isn't enough profit (for them) in only fixing the actual problem.
Some order takers just don't understand that there isn't ANY profit in running away the customers, either.

Find a fair and competent tech to do this.

(As long as the diag is really correct!)


The gap is very simple to adjust, I don't have to mess with freon or nuthin. I just need to make enough room to get the clutch plate off of the pulley end of the compressor.

Remove the appropriate amount of shim(s) to achieve the desired gap.
No need to replace an entire compressor for this issue.
This should be simple for any tech that can use a couple wrenches and a set of feeler gauges.
NOTE: There are a few different thicknesses on the shims. There can be any combination of shims in there, and it is possible the desired gap can't be obtained by removing shim(s) already in there. In that case, another shim set can be purchased for under $4.

Shim example:


LOL, Looks like there is a band-aid already on a finger in this pic...



HTH