Bradshaw

So i recently installed a/c in my 94 civic vx hatch. worked great for 3 days and now it had stopped.

Here's what i've got.

New:
Compressor
Condensor
Both rubber lines from compressor
expansion valve
drier
compressor belt
every single o-ring

Junk Yard sourced:
hard lines
evaporator/housing
wiring harness
condensor fan
condensor sensor
compressor belt bracket
bolts/line brackets

Install Process:
Flushed all components with A/C flush (except the compressor/condensor/drier of course)
pulled vacuum of -28 for 60 min + (it was 96* in good ol texas. didn't feel the need to do it any longer)
no loss of vacuum over night.
purged can's before filling. used about a can and a half till the low side was at a steady 40 psi

Symptoms:
Checked both high and low side. Low was at 110psi high was at 105psi
Compressor does not kick on.


Is it possible that even after all this i still introduced moisture into the system? i feel like there must be a clog somewhere that is causing low side high psi. almost all parts are new so i don't expect anything wrong there.

should i take it apart, replace expansion valve and drier and re flush/vacuum/charge?


also if i do reflush/vacuum/charge, will i have to add oil this time? the new compressor came pre-oiled so i did not do it this time. something worth mentioning.


pretty bummed about this. did lots of research and prepping to make sure i did everything right. thanks for any feedback.

also wanted to thank drumminforey and this thread. without it i would have never even gotten this far.

Boosted_01 R

Don't know much about A/C systems....... I assume the A/C clutch engages by +12V......... maybe the A/C clutch switch or ecu driver (which ever triggers the compressor) isn't working..... run a direct +12V and see what happens...... my beater is a 1998 civic, so interested on what it could be for future reference

Bradshaw

i'm almost positive everything to do with the compressor is fine. the compressor senses when the pressure is too high and shuts off to prevent any damage/failure to the unit. not going to force it to work when it clearly has a reason it has shut off and isn't working. considering the things i know, that the low side is WAY too high for normal operation, i don't plan on forcing the compressor to work.

i'm gonna evacuate the system, pull a vacuum and refill and see what happens. if someone could also confirm for me, will i need to re-oil the system? would it be a bad idea to vacuum if the system has not been flushed with leftover freon remaining? will i need to add any additional oil?

i'm going to assume that it shouldn't hurt to vacuum without a flush and the oil should remain in the system as it is not a gas that will be released upon evacuation.

fragmare

If the high and low side pressure are nearly the same it's indicative that either the compressor is not working, or it has nothing to compress against. Make sure your condenser fan is blowing and blowing in the right direction. Check the clutch-pulley clearance on the compressor with a feeler gauge. Also check that it is getting power with a multimeter. Then check the thermal protector with a multimeter. Then check the ohm resistance on the field coil. Also, make sure the seal in the high pressure relief valve is still intact.

Then check your pressure sensor switch with ice water, as explained in the service manual.

If they all check out fine, start paying attention to either the expansion valve or condenser.