David Guevara

Green button turns on when I press the button for ac but The ac compressor doesnt kick in. What are my options or where should I begin? Thank you

Ps my car is a 1999 honda civic ex coupe manual transmission

Txdragon

Could be a couple things from simple to dead. High pressure switch, bad compressor, or just low on refrigerant. Did it work yesterday or earlier?

Former User

Does the condenser fan run?

David Guevara

Yes condenser fan works.

David Guevara

Yeah it was working the day before until two days ago when I turn it on and I noticed the air was warm. And then I was sure it was no functioning when I would turn on the ac I wouldnt hear the Ac compressor kick in usually its a clicking sound

Txdragon

was it making any strange noises or not working very well then?

fcm

Most likely it is a low refrigerant charge, have it checked at an A/C shop.

You can test to see if there is any refrigerant in it by just pressing one of the valves in the service ports, just like the tire valve, keep face out of line of fire, if nothing comes out you have a bad leak, most likely a hole in the condenser. 94

David Guevara

Sometimes I hear the blower motor making a noise buts its intermittent and its rare, but other than that I did not hear any odd sounds.

David Guevara

I will try this, does it matter whether its the low pressure line or high pressure?

Former User

Don't add refrigerant yet. Hook up a manifold gauge set to the high and low side lines. With key and engine off, what are the pressure readings on the high and low sides?

Also do this test:

Unplug ECU connector A.

Turn key to ON(II). [engine off]

Ground the Blk/Red wire in the ECU connector at pin A17.

Do you hear the compressor clutch engage (click)?

David Guevara

Checked both valves and nothing but air comes out.

David Guevara

I checked both valves and nothing but air comes out.

mk378

Refrigerant is a colorless gas like air. So you have some pressure then, there isn't a huge leak.

Unplug the pressure switch (which I think is on the drier in 1996+ models) and check it for continuity. You can also plug everything in, start engine and press A/C button, and see if there is voltage on the compressor clutch wire.

David Guevara

Its very low though I press the valve and it starts off very weak and dies off and no air comes out.

Former User

Please act on advice given from members.

00civic-ej8

ehat i usually do at work since we have a yellow jacket machine, i usually recover whatever is left in there then i pull a vacum for atleast 6 min to get atleast most of the moisture out( youre suppose to vacum for longer But 6 min usually works) then your hold the vacum for atleast 6 min also while u are seeing if there is a vacum loss if there is a pretty significan loss then i usually disconnect the ac machine off from the car and then i push take the valve core off the ac connect fitting add some dye and then proceed to fill with freon run it and see if it blows cold if it does then u can rule out all the electrical factore of it since most likely u have a leak and just wait and see where it looks like somebody highlighted the shet out of and thats it ( this is one of the esier processes i do at work not the most significant and most proper ways but most mechnics ive worked with start off this way to atleast rule out any leaks)

fcm

You have a leak, a nitrogen pressure test will locate it, if it is a small leak, a recharge and UV dye may be needed to find it.

The most common leaks are, as mentioned, is the condenser, next is the service ports then the compressor itself with lines and connections last.

Unless you have a gauge set, vac pump, recharge cylinder, nitrogen tank and recharge cylinder it is not something you can do yourself.

I would stay away from any of the DIY A/C recharge systems, they are not 100% , if any at all, R134a refrigerant, most are a mix of butane and propane, which are hydrocarbons and will contaminate the system, A/C shops will not service contaminated systems, also there is no warranty on any new parts that may need to be installed. 94

00civic-ej8

Yeap so just take it to a shop or if u have a homie that works at a shop throw him a couple of dollars amd see what he finds cuz ac isnth really a diy thing unless u buy a 1k plus machine thats it

David Guevara

Im new to this whole DIY, how would I do this? Which is ecu connector A and how Would I ground the blk and red wire? Is there a diagram for the connectors on the ecu Im not sure which is A17. Thanks man

mk378

Don't bother with electrical tests. Your post #14 about having practically zero pressure says that a leak has developed and all your refrigerant has leaked out. It needs to be checked with gauges, leak detectors, etc. If you're not going to invest in that equipment, take the car to someone who has it.