1994 Accord A/C pretty useless

My 1994 Accord EX 4-door has ATROCIOUS a/c and has since I bought it 8 years
ago. I had it charged, but that didn't help in the least. The compressor
does kick in, but all I get is barely cool air, and only then when I'm
driving at highway speed and the ambient temp is 85° or less. Not much need
for it in that case.

From what I've heard and read, I'm not the only one with a bad a/c in a '94
Accord. What are people doing to remedy the problem, short of buying a new
system? If I *do* have to buy a new system, what would you recommend and
approximately how much will that set me back?

 

There are numerous reasons a fully charged A/C unit doesn't blow cool
air... ranging from system moisture... to blockages... and let's not
forget feeble compressors. I think you need to take it somewhere you
trust to get an accurate diagnosis.

Professor
Check out FlashAlert at www.telstar-electronics.com

 

I had it checked over at the dealership but they found nothing wrong with
it. Last year I read about problems with the heater control valve, so I got
that replaced. The blower is new, too (not that that would affect its
cooling ability). I'm stumped.

 

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The '94 doesn't have a changeable Cabin Filter, does it? It makes an
incredible difference when you change it on a CR-V.

'Curly'

 

If you only get cooling when running at highway speed, that sounds like the
radiator fan(s) might not be running when the AC is turned on. Start the
motor, turn on the AC, open the hood and see if at least one of the fans on
the radiator is running. If not, that's your problem.

 

Radiator fan is going strong. The air from the vents is barely cold. Very
frustrating....

 

What are your high and low side pressures? Waht is the ambient that the
pressures were taken?

Professor
Check out FlashAlert at www.telstar-electronics.com

 

It's the same thing with my '94 Accord LX. The A/C is pretty
ineffective and on shorter trips I don't even bother with it because I
get to my destination before the A/C makes any difference, except making
the engine more sluggish and burning more fuel.

Rudy