Ohmster

Guys,
I have a 2008 Honda Civic which I love dearly. Has 95K miles, bought from dealer few years ago, used with 56K. A/C went out, dealer fixed it. Found low pressure hose fill valve leaking, replaced. Also replaced cabin air filter and inside/outside air door actuator. Cold as could be, lasted almost two years.

About a week ago, I noticed the A/C cutting out, shut it off, come back on cold, would not stay cold. I went to a friend, he put refrigerant in it with the parts store fill can. Compressor came on, nice and cold, compressor stopped again, will not come on at all. I bought another can of refrigerant with a reusable gauge on it, and the freon is not low at all, it was quite high. I bled some off, still, the compressor will not come on at all. Must be electrical and I am an electronic tech, but I cannot find any sort of service manual or electrical diagram for a 2008 Honda Civic, anywhere. Yes, I am too poor to buy one, waiting on medical disability claim stops me from working.

I thought there was a refrigerant pressure switch, too low and stops the compressor to avoid burning it out. I cannot find one in the car. I hear there is a temperature switch on the compressor and another switch for something under the receiver/dryer in the passenger cabin. Not easily accessible. I can check switched with a digital meter, but the compressor cable has 3 wires. Not sure what other sensors there are and how to get to the connectors. Also I understand there is an A/C clutch relay which I can check if I knew where it was and which one in the box under the hood.

I attached some photos of the car, the refrigerant lines, the compressor, and the main fuse/relay box. I can test fuses and relays, but not if I don't know which ones they are. Nothing in the main box is labeled as "A/C" or "Compressor". So I have no idea of what to check. The compressor does work, the system is fully charged with refrigerant, and the compressor clutch never comes on at all anymore. Any ideas?

I tried using Civic manuals from different years but they are not help at all with this car.

Can someone give me a heads up here please as to what to look for, where to find it, and what to check? A service manual, pictures, diagrams, and part details would be a huge plus. Please, I really need your help guys.

0go-part

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Your-Car%27s-Air-Conditioner

boostedh22fag

probably the relay

DELuth

Man I love it when people just blindly slam more refrigerant into the system. Over-stressed hoses and compressors = $

Judging by that HUGE gap, you probably need a new clutch (and maybe coil). Relay is also a possibility, but between the mileage, that pic, and the fact that those clutches suck, I say clutch. You need a mechanic, not internet repair advice.

jeddy0120

Just dealt with the same thing on my wifes 2008 Civic with 100k on it. The coil ended up being bad on it. Even though the coil is a serviceable part I chose to replace the compressor with a reman'd unit from Honda (when replacing the coil you can ruin the gasket on the compressor and then it can leak bringing you back to square one so, I opted for a full replacement.). All said and done with a new drive belt the total was a little over a grand.

Nathan Allen

Did you have the system evacuated before you added Freon? Also, what is your Freon psi reading? Before and after charge?

airfactory2003

Check the current to the compreesor,if ok,then check compressor coil (4 Ohm) and thermal sensor located on the top of the compressor.