This might be a dumb question but I wanted to get some more technical information before I started spending money on things that arent the problem.

I drive a 2001 Honda Civic LX with a 1.7L engine. Recently the condenser fan motor went bad and no longer works. I know that this assembly needs to be replaced. However, while I was checking to make sure nothing else was damaged or not working properly, I noticed that the AC compressor was not engaging when I turned the AC on.

My guess is that there is some sort of electronic control that will disengage the AC compressor if there is no power to the condenser as a fail safe. I just want to confirm this before I decide to replace the compressor unit.

Can anyone tell me for sure whether or not a lack of power to the condenser fan would cause the compressor to stop working?

 

In a word- no. The compressor will continue to run until it gets too hot and the thermal protector shuts it off to protect it.

Go through the HVAC system self diagnostic and see if it brings up any codes: https://honda-tech.com/honda-civic-2...rking-2864435/