96 EX V6 with intermittent AC cooling.

96 EX V6 has intermittent cooling. Sometimes very cool & sometimes
blowing hot - even on the same short trip. Seems like it is probably
blowing hot more frequently than in the past. Anybody with a similar
experience &/or any tips on what to check for? I'll take on something
if it isn't major. Thanks.

 

Hi,
I'd check the wiring behind dash control panel for a/c. I had a problem
like that and the bulk head connector was not fully seated causing
intermittent problem. Even dealer could not find it, I did.

 

Update on intermittent AC cooling. When working the air is cold so
I'm not sure how it could be a low refrigerant cause. When blowing
hot air the condensor fan is still running but the compressor is not
turning. So, something is causing the compressor to not run when it
should. From my research on this it seems that it could be the
compressor clutch relay, the thermostat or the pressure switch. Any
experience or ideas on this? Thanks.

 

Further update: The fact the condensor fan runs when the compressor
fan doesn't seems to rule out the AC switch & I think but am not
certain, the thermostat (in the evaporator). I'm not clear on whether
it also rules out the pressure switch. If the compressor stops
because of a pressure reading, should the condensor fan still run?
Will a low pressure (like low refrig) trigger the switch & stop the
compressor just like a too high reading? I feel I'm closing in on
this & my chief suspect is the compressor clutch relay but want to be
sure before I start ordering parts. Thanks.

 

Update: I checked the refrigerant level & pressure & it is fine. One
more Q&A & I should have this figured out. If my pressure switch is
bad, would the condensor fan run & the compressor not run? Does the
system need to be evacuated to replace the pressure switch? If the
condensor fan should not be running if the compressor is not running
then my next step is to replace the compressor clutch relay which has
been my chief suspect all along. Appreciate any knowledgeable feedback
out there. Thanks.

 

Update: I checked the red clutch/coil lead in "failed" mode & I still
had battery voltage which proves my relay is fine. I then forced the
clutch against the rotating pressure plate (exciting - I recommend a
thin wooden stick/pole - less sparks than metal) & lo & behold, it
engaged. The gap is out of spec - not by a huge amount but it is
bigger than the outside tolerance. I guess that over time the natural
progression is for everything to wear & loosen to a wider gap.
So, it seems clear I need to pull the clutch & remove some shims.
I've never messed with a compressor clutch & there is precious little
clearance from the end of the clutch to the inner fender - maybe
3/4". I'm not sure what I'm getting into here. I don't think there
is enough clearance without pulling the compressor & then I'm not sure
you could do it without evacuating the system? Can you do this with
the compressor in place or must it be removed? I'm wondering if I
might be better off to take it to a reliable mechanic & have them do
this. I wouldn't expect there to be too much to it for them....maybe
1 hour labor or something like that? Any opinions or experience on
this? Thanks again.

 

I'm closing down this thread which has become a monologue anyway.
Anybody interested in this topic should try the Honda Accord Forum
where I got much better response & help on this. Thanks.

 

I'm closing down this thread which has sadly become a monologue.
Anybody interested in this topic should try the Honda Accord Forum
where I got much better response & help. Thanks.

 

You might want to search and post to the fora at
www.honda-tech.com . It has much discussion on Honda A/C
system woes.

The A/C section of the free online manual at
http://media.honda.co.uk/car/owner/media/manuals/Accord93/pdf/62sN700.pdf?flv=9
might be helpful, too.