95 HONDA CIVIC AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR??

ALL OF A SUDDEN A/C WILL BLOW ONLY HOT AIR.... TOOK IT TO LOCAL A/C REPAIR SHOP AFTER GETTING A $1000.00 ESTIMATE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE A/C FOR WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS A BLOWN FUSE IN THE COMPRESSOR, EVERYTHING MUST BE REMOVED AND REPLACE WITH "NEW" COMPRESSOR, FAN, FREON, ETC ETC...SHOP WILL NOT DO REBUILT OR REPAIRS... MY CAR HAS 143,000 ORIGINAL MILES...DO NOT WANT TO INVEST $1000.00 IF THERE IS A CHEAPER WAY... CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEPENDABLE AND I INTEND TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT BUT MUST HAVE AC I LIVE IN FLORIDA!! ANY SUGGESTIONS OUT THERE, AM I BEING RIPPED WITH THIS ESTIMATE?? IS THE FUSE REALLY BURIED INSIDE THE A/C UNIT? THANKS! DORINN

 

Dorrine, I would suggest getting at least two other
estimates......something does not sound right with the fuse thing. I also
have a 95 Civic EX 4 door sedan that had AC problems almost 3 years ago at
160,000 miles. The problem ended up being the compressor. I purchased my
new compressor at Manchester Honda for a very good price and only $10
shipping. 1 800 489-9631 There are 2 different compressor types used on
the 95 Civic. I'm not saying you need a new compressor, you might only
need R-134Aa Refrigerant. Then again you may have too much refrigerant in
your system. Very common for shops to add too much refigerant. Too little
is better than too much. If you're low on refigerant, don't forget you may
also be a little low on AC oil. Good luck.

 

If it only needs a gas charge - that is a rip off - if after doing the
leak down test, it does leak - techs can add a coloring agent that will
show the source of the leak. Then all they have to do is patch the
leak. Honda AC units are fairly reliable - don't go back to that crook.

 

Dorrine, there is a thermal protector mounted outside the compressor on
your Civic. When the thermal protector trips, it shuts off the compressor
and you will blow warm air. This happened to me but I did not associate
your fuse comment with the thermal protector, which acts like a fuse. All
sorts of experts told me I would not need a new compressor, but I did. A
very simple check of my old compressor confirmed it. The compressor is a
pump. With the system discharged, spinning the old compressor over by
hand proudced no pumping action. The new compressor pushed air out like
crazy. Your AC shop may be giving you the straight skinny, but I would
still get another opinion. Please give us the hi side and low side
readings when the tech has his guages hooked to the system. Also an
itemized list of parts and the hourly labor charge. I would go with a new
honda compressor which includes a new thermal protector if your's is bad.
Best of luck on this.

 

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Whatever the outcome, please get your keyboard repaired too.

IT'S ONLY TYPING IN CAPITALS AND I'M GOING DEAF FROM THE SHOUTING.

'Curly'