Air Conditioning Question

[qbodsyt]

Hey all,

Summer's coming and I want to get my AC system working. My buddy pressurized the system and it held R134, but my compressor wasn't kicking on when I pressed the button on the dash. We drained the system cuz it was the other day and today we fooled around with the compressor. Plugging directly into it the clutch would kick on and the compressor would work, but there is either a broken wire or a bad thermostat that is stopping it from working using the dash controls.

Has anybody else had this problem? The compressor works, but it won't kick on from the proper control mechanism. My buddy said he's never had this issue with Honda's before; they generally aren't working cuz one of the main components is busted i.e. compressor/condensor, not an electrical/wiring issue. So he's puzzled and I don't know the first thing about AC.

Anybody got suggestions? Thanks in advance

[NAiL05]

Isnt there a ground for the compressor? or some sort of separate wire sticking out. I forgot.

[qbodsyt]

Isnt there a ground for the compressor? or some sort of separate wire sticking out. I forgot.

I would imagine so, but I honestly don't know. Like I said, I'm a novice with AC systems. From what I understand the CB7 system is very basic and simple tho, which generally makes it easy to troubleshoot. On my old Accord the condensor blew and I had to get it replaced and I had to retrofit from R12 to R134, but other than that it never had an issue. So I'm at a loss right now because the system was recently retrofitted, it holds pressure and vacuum, and the compressor will still function, but somewhere in the electrical circuit there's an issue.

Like I said, all help is appreciated guys

[Robert Pinckney]

pull off the ac button "the one that is supposed to kick the compressor on" then unplug the connector at the compressor check for voltage from the ac button to the compressor (check point "A" inside the car to point "Z" the plug under the hood) see if you have voltage, if not theres a break in the wire some where, also check make sure all grounds are clean, im not sure how the compressor is grounded, but mabey its component grounded, meaning it might be grounded from a mounting bolt or something like that i know its a lot lol but take your time, and youll be cool, keep us updated so we can get this baby fixed

[jhondayaaj]

is your car an auto or 5spd??

[qbodsyt]

is your car an auto or 5spd??

5spd.......is there a difference? I thought the rad was slightly different between the two trannies, didn't realize the AC system might be.......what could that mean? thanks guys for everything so far

[jhondayaaj]

the tcu grounds the a/c i believe, but in your case, it's a 5 speed so that doesn't matter. there is a relay i believe that could be the cause, I think it is on thfront either next to driver side radiator area or by the p.s. reservoir. I hope I made it clear enough.

[blackcb7]

there is in fact a relay next to the p.s. reservoir for the clutch, i believe is is the farthest from the headlight, there are three of them bolted there

i have the same problem but have not yet diagnosed it, i have just done some research and believe that is also my problem

[jhondayaaj]

there is in fact a relay next to the p.s. reservoir for the clutch, i believe is is the farthest from the headlight, there are three of them bolted there

i have the same problem but have not yet diagnosed it, i have just done some research and believe that is also my problem

sup bro. I'm gonna get a job at penske honda. you are right about starting off as a lot porter then working your way up. fortunately I'm just going straight to the shop. hope to meet you and check out your ride . SORRY IF I JACKED THIS THREAD.

[blackcb7]

thats great dude, congrats

[qbodsyt]

the tcu grounds the a/c i believe, but in your case, it's a 5 speed so that doesn't matter. there is a relay i believe that could be the cause, I think it is on thfront either next to driver side radiator area or by the p.s. reservoir. I hope I made it clear enough.

well, the relay is functioning and ground for the compressor itself isn't the issue because the compressor will kick on with direct stimulation.

my buddy feels that its either a broken blue-yellow wire going from the relay by the PS pump/reservoir to the circuit behind the glove compartment, or the thermostat unit is messed. the thermo looks like its connected to the hi pressure switch and has something to do with detecting freon presence....

I doubt its a broken wire because that rarely seems to happen in these cars (at least, in my experience ) so I'm hoping its just an inexpensive thermostat unit that will be easy to change and replace.

thanks for the help, if you have any other insights its appreciated and I'll let you know what it turned out to be

[BIGDOM]

did you check the pressure switch, if you look to the left of the radiator on one of the lines either going or coming from the reciever drier youll see a switch mounted on the line this tells the A/C clutch to engage if the pressures are right.. if the pressures are wrong it wont engage. and if the switch is bad it wont engage either, disconnect the switch and jumnp the connector and see if your a/c works.,.. lemme know how u make out

[jhondayaaj]

swap the relays man. there are two that are the same and it only takes a minute.

[jhondayaaj]

well, the relay is functioning and ground for the compressor itself isn't the issue because the compressor will kick on with direct stimulation.

my buddy feels that its either a broken blue-yellow wire going from the relay by the PS pump/reservoir to the circuit behind the glove compartment, or the thermostat unit is messed. the thermo looks like its connected to the hi pressure switch and has something to do with detecting freon presence....

I doubt its a broken wire because that rarely seems to happen in these cars (at least, in my experience ) so I'm hoping its just an inexpensive thermostat unit that will be easy to change and replace.

thanks for the help, if you have any other insights its appreciated and I'll let you know what it turned out to be

with direct stimulation I think that if you applied ground to it and it kicks on, then it may be a ground issue. I could be wrong.

[qbodsyt]

did you check the pressure switch, if you look to the left of the radiator on one of the lines either going or coming from the reciever drier youll see a switch mounted on the line this tells the A/C clutch to engage if the pressures are right.. if the pressures are wrong it wont engage. and if the switch is bad it wont engage either, disconnect the switch and jumnp the connector and see if your a/c works.,.. lemme know how u make out

you're right on the money there man, it was the pressure switch. we looked up the wiring schematics and ran all the scenarios until we were pretty sure it was the pressure switch. I went to Honda and forked out the $50 for the part and voila! now I am comfortably air conditioned. Thanks a lot for your help guys!