Accord AC

I have a 92 accord LX. The AC seems to work when it wants, which isn't
often. I had it pressure checked and they added about a pond of Freon to
it. Even while they were charging it, it would kick on for a while and then
back off. Any ideas?

Thanks
Brian

 

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Your description isn't telling us much. Was it totally dead before they
recharged it? Honda AC will click off for a few seconds to prevent
icing, and if the pressure is too low _or_ too high. Any things you find
that makes it work / not work for you?

'Curly'

 

I thought it was totally dead when I charged it. When I tried it last year,
I thought it must have a leak so I never used it until needing it bad this
year because it is hotter than it was last summer. I got the car about 3
years ago. Then the AC worked but hasn't now for about a year and a half.
Sometimes when I first start it up in the morning and turn it on it won't
come on until I am half way to work, sometimes won't come on at all. I have
not noticed any pattern on when it will work. One thing I have noticed
(related or not), I replaced the radiator, thermostat and temp. switch this
spring and since then the fan will run immediately after shutting the car
off and run for up to 10 minutes. I have been told this is normal for this
year of Honda. When the AC is on and I shut the car off, the radiator fan
sometimes will take a few minutes to come on.

Brian

 

Compressor cycling is normal... and necessary... to avoid the
evaporator from freezing.

Professor
Check out the auctions at
www.telstar-electronics.com

 

True, but the "rest of the story" is that it should not repeatedly cycle
on and off every few seconds. If it does then something is wrong. Likely
cause is you're low on refrigerant (freon). If you're low on refrigerant,
then you have a leak which needs to be repaired.

 

I really do not think it is normal cycling. If it was normal, it would at
least come on when first turned off and run for a while before cycling off.
It usually doesn't come on when first turned on. Seems more like a bad
switch or something. Could that be?

 

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I said:

"if the pressure is too low _or_ too high." I was suggesting they may
have overcharged it, so it will cut out when it starts running. That's
why I asked if it was EMPTY before they refilled it. It could be either
problem . . . .

'Curly'

 

I have the same problem with a 91 Accord and found the problem to be the AC
Temperature control switch located on the Heat/AC box right behind the glove
box. This switch controls the ac compressor to come on and off at a set
temperature( It has a 1/16th refrige line that goes into the evaporator).
Jump the two wires that go to the switch to verify the problem. But dont
leave it jumped because you will most likely ice up the evaporator. The
switch is easily replaceable.