adam_r Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 It seems that the aircon compressor on the accord has died. I have tried all diagnostics that i can think of: Check relays Check power to and from relays Check power gets to compressor Etc Anyway... If i run the engine and hit the A/C button, then engine note changes to indicate an increase in load... I.e the compressor kicking in, but no cold air. Had it re- gassed at honda..they left the gas in with a UV dye to check for leaks, but they did say the system held vacuum well before they charged the ac. So im now guessing it must be the compressor, so has anyone got recommendations for where to get a cheapish but good replacement? Used ebay ones are £90 but most with no indication of milage seen. So im unsure about that route. Ps. Need to get it fixed this week as my sister and her baby need the car on friday and its way too hotin the car without aircon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Have you checked the compressor clutch separately? The air con on the Civic worked intermittently and I reckon it was the clutch, not the compressor itself. If it is the compressor then you could try where I got my condensers from - https://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Before condemning the compressor, have you had any manifold gauges on to note the high and low side pressures? I'm reading your words in that the clutch engages and the compressor spins round ok. I'm saying this because I had a similar symptom and after I did the diagnostics I narrowed it down to a partially stuck open Thermal Expansion Valve (TEV or TXV) I replaced the TEV and this restored the operation of the air con. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Before condemning the compressor, have you had any manifold gauges on to note the high and low side pressures? I'm reading your words in that the clutch engages and the compressor spins round ok. I'm saying this because I had a similar symptom and after I did the diagnostics I narrowed it down to a partially stuck open Thermal Expansion Valve (TEV or TXV) I replaced the TEV and this restored the operation of the air con. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 ok.. so this is what i have done: 1) aircon relay was removed (in the fuse box) and 12v was applied directly to the feed to the compressor... it made no sound. i would have expected a clunk or sound of a solinoid engaging. 2) relay was replaced and AC pump disconnected at its last connector.. i then used a DMM to measure the voltage going to the AC pump and it was +12v (car off). so i know the relay works and the electrics to the pump is fine. 3) i then checked the pressure switch, so removed the pressure switch and used a small bit of wire to short the contacts., again same thing.. everything looked ok. 4) AC fans kick in when AC is engaged. so, now im faced with this: compressor is getting 12v when the AC is turned on from the cabin. i can hear the engine note change when the AC is engaged, but no cold air. its almost like the clutch isnt being engaged? but then it must be as the i can hear the engine note change as the load increases when AC is 'on'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 You'll have to look at the compressor itself and see if the shaft spins when the 12v is applied to the coil on the compressor clutch. If it doesn't spin when 12v is applied to the clutch then it's definitely the clutch only. This can usually be removed without having to remove recover the refrigerant (saving cost) Some engines idle speed increases when the air conditioning interior cabin switch is engaged to take the load of the compressor into account, and this could be a red herring in the diagnostics. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thanks Nick. I will look in a moment. Now, should i hear an audiable 'clunk' when the clutch engages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Its the clutch. Thank you Nick. Now i have to source a clutch for the compressor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Just before you just get a clutch, I'd recommend that you turn the centre shaft manually to check that the compressor is still free to spin round and that the clutch didn't fail due to mechanical issues. Good luck, I hope it's a quick bolt off bolt on repair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I gave it a spin by hand.. Initially it was stuck but a a little more of a push and it freed up. Tried it again and still did not engage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Well... Buying a clutch is neigh on impossible. New compressor and aux belt ordered.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Where did you order it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Ebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Cost much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Was £240 with 2 year warrantee.... Now i have to cough up about £170 to: Get the system de-gassed Remove and replace aircon compressor Re gass system. So all in all about £400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Blimey ...... Why is the re-gas so expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Its thr labour to remove the old compressor and fit the new one Tony. I could DIY.. But it means getting the garage to remove the gas, drive home.. Feck about with the aux belt and remove aircon pipes and compressor.. Then refit and drive back to garage to get re-gassed... Thought it made more sense just to get the garage to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 That's why I put off sorting it on the Civic as it's a lot of messing about with the gas. When I changed the Accord's condenser, which was corroded and had half the fins missing I had assumed there was no gas left in the system but didn't check. I found out just how pressurised the system actually is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickT Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 Did you get it sorted Adam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted August 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hi Nick..yes but it cost me a bloody arm and a leg! New compressor had a slightly smaller pulley dia.. This ment that the original belt was too slack. Fortunately i knew this was going to happen so purchased the recommended belt by the aircon compressor supplier. Turns out that company sent me a std length belt out when i ordered the shorter one.... So now honda was left with two belts the same length and me down 0.5hrs labour. I got on the supplier and they sent the 'right' belt out to honda on same day delivery. Well that one they spec'd was way too short... Only finding this out once honda tried to put it on the car.... So yet another 0.5hrs Labour to pay. Dont forget that im doing 12+ hr days (inc commuting) so sorting this sh*t out isnt what i need. So i arrange for a 3rd belt to be delivered to honda and it finally fits! So now £300 lighter just for labour (they didnt charge for regassing it) the aircon now works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 3, 2016 Report Share Posted August 3, 2016 Nightmare, glad it's sorted though Is this your car, I thought you had sold it or have you bought another one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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