mesrop1991

My A/C clutch wont engage.

For the past two years A/C has worked fine.

Manifold readings of STATIC PSI on high and low side are both about 90 PSI @ 82-ish degrees outside.

My Question: Is this PSI low enough for the clutch to not engage, or is the problem something else?

Also: Is there a way I can fool the clutch to engage, so that i can have it suck in some r-134a to get the PSI up?

Help, it's hot out!

Former User

Static PSI looks okay.

Electrical troubleshoot and properly fix the issue rather than "fool" the clutch.

Also add required car information to first post.

mesrop1991

Sorry, I'm driving a 1998 Honda Civic LX 205,000 miles and running strong!

It may help to know that when I hit the A/C button on the dash, the engine revs a bit higher as it would when it was working.

I'm electronically uneducated. Are there forums that guide through electronic troubleshooting? And what kind of tester would be helpful to have for testing?

Thanks!

Former User

Electrical troubleshooting requires a multimeter. Troubleshooting instructions are found in the service manual.

The increased engine speed indicates that the ECU is receiving the command from the A/C button to engage the clutch.

Start here: You say the clutch does not engage. Does the condenser fan run when you press the A/C button?

mesrop1991

Neither does the fan run, not the clutch engage when the A/C button is pressed and on full blast.

Former User

Check whether 20A hood fuse 56 is blown. Use a multimeter to voltage test the fuse.

mesrop1991

I have located the fuse and purchased a multimeter. Could you explain to me how to test it? There are two larger and two smaller terminals. Which do I connect the multimeter to test it? 😓

Former User

Click the Testing Fuses link in my signature. It tells you how to test hood fuse 56.

Post pics of your multimeter and the probe wires.

mesrop1991

Ok the fuse was blown. Clearly seen. I put in another fuse of same size and it blew also. What can I check next?

Former User

Unplug both the condenser fan and the compressor, and then check whether the fuse still blows.

mesrop1991

Thank you for your help thus far!

Ok, I disconnected both A/C compresssor and fan. Fuse was good. Plugged the compressor back in, fuse was good and compressor kicked in and blew cold air.

Now we know the problem is the fan.

Am I to look for a shorting wire? Or replace the whole fan?

Also, see the video attached... the compressor was running rough with the clutch engaged. As if it weren't lubricated enough, the compressor would freeze almost causing the belt to stop spinning with the car running

Former User

Replace the condenser fan.

mesrop1991

Ordered a Dorman replacement. Will replace on Wednesday and provide update! Thanks!!

mesrop1991

Fan came in today. A/C is blowing cold as ever after the instal. Fuse is not burning out and fan is coming on in addition to the clutch kicking in.

I'm realizing that the compressor is really loud when the clutch is NOT engaged. Any reasons why that may be?


Otherwise, THANKS TO ALL! I'm thrilled to have cold air blowing in my face again!

tony_2018

You could just order the motor, a little bit cheaper.

mesrop1991

Fan assembly shipped from Amazon was 48 plus tax. Im not complaining!

Former User

Are you saying the noise is absent with the A/C clutch engaged and appears only with the A/C clutch disengaged?

mesrop1991

Precisely. It's sort of a hissing sound. I didn't realize that it was the compressor until I got the ac going and that particular notice went away. I can post a video of nessesary.

Former User

Sure post a video. Might be a bad compressor pulley bearing.

mesrop1991

I realize you wont hear the absence of noise when the clutch is engaged, because the fan is making a good amount of noise... But at least you'll hear the compressor when its disengaged.