97CivicDad

Just performed an engine swap in 97 Civic EX to a B18B from an '96 Integra LS and we're having a few electrical problems.

1) The A/C compressor will not come on when the switch is turned on. The relay is good and if I manually run a jumper where the relay is, the compressor will turn on.

2) The Radiator fan will not come on. The relay is good and if I manually run a jumper where the relay is, the radiator fan will turn on.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

saywhat

I don't think that those are problems normally associated with this swap, did you depressurized the AC unit? because I know if some systems don't sense adequate pressure the clutch for the compressor won't kick on, so if your system is empty it might not kick on. And have you checked all the fuses? as for the fan, how warm will the car get if the fan doesnt' kick on?

97CivicDad

We didn't disconnect the AC unit, just moved it out of the way. I can get the compressor to kick by simpy running a jumper where the relay is supposed to be. All fuses have been checked. The car seems to be running fairly cool, but from what I read, the '97 radiator fan should be on all the time when the engine is running.

saywhat

The fan doesn't run all the time, it kicks on when the engine reaches normal operating temperature, like ten minutes from a cold start, as far as the AC, I don't know what to tell you, that is an unusual problem, but as long as the fan turns on eventually it is ok.

97CivicDad

Since the engine swap, the radiator fan has not come on by itself. Is it possible that with the new radiator and thermostat that the engine runs so cool, that it hasn't needed to come on yet?

Ron

saywhat

It is a possibility, I would warm up your car drive it around the neighboorhood for like 15min bring it back home park it in the driveway and the fan should kick on after a few minutes of sitting, but if the coolant temps don't show that the car is getting that hot I wouldn't worry about it, I would deff make sure that the coolant temp sensor is plugged in, in the coolant passage way.