I know how bad cross-posting is, but this board is so big, I wanted to get the maximum amount of exposure, cuz I need the help...

Last October, while on vacation, I was using the A/C in my Civic...
Suddenly, I start smelling the unique and pungent smell of electronics frying, look up at my dash, and see a wisp of smoke coming out from behind the A/C switch button on the climate control. 90 seconds later, the A/C stopped working. (Everything else continued to work fine.)

Since it was October, I didn't worry about getting it fixed right away.
Fast forward to a month ago...

I got a used replacement climate control unit off of eBay.
Last Sunday, I replaced the old one with the unit from eBay. I start the car up and run it for about 2-3 minutes, with the A/C on. In that short time, it seemed to be working fine.
I get into the car on Monday, and turn on the A/C. Before I get to the top of my street, I get the smoke again and the A/C dies.

Now, I've searched all the archives here on HT, and the closest to this issue I've gotten is that the 4th-5th gen preludes had an issue with re-soldering a connector on the back of the climate control, but nothing for the Civics, so here I am, asking you guys...

Can anyone help??
I need my A/C!!!

 

anyone??

 

this is odd.
i figured someone would know...

 

very little resistance in wiring for some reason? possibility

 

anyone else??

bueller?

 

my guess would be something pulling alot of amps. Electrical problem. blower motor still work? what year is your car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BuddhaSiR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my guess would be something pulling alot of amps. Electrical problem. blower motor still work? what year is your car?</TD></TR></TABLE>
it's a 5th gen cibbic.
1994 to be exact.
no blown fuses, everything else works fine (including the blower).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ZylexSNL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can anyone help??
I need my A/C!!! </TD></TR></TABLE>
1 year update...
nothing's changed.

i got another unit off of eBay and fried it just like the others.
thank god it was only $15.

anyone else have any bright ideas??

it's gotta be in the electrical system of the car somewhere, that much is obvious.
but where?
i don't wanna rip the entire dash apart looking for a (possible) short.
besides, everything else works fine (or at least seems to).