whats up h-t..
my a/c is acting up, the compressor goes on whenever it feels like it..anybody know why is this? I have an 03 honda civic lx coupe. thanx in advance for any help.

 

so it doesnt stay on when you put the AC on or does it just start randomly?

 

it goes on whenever it feels like it. if i turn the a/c on it might go on but if it does it probably works for 10 minutes and then blows hot air. i took it to strauss they checked the lines and everything was good...just the damn compressor that works whenever it wants to..

 

then change the compressor. it doesnt seem like your out of freon if the compressor randomly kicks in.

 

thats what i was thinking on doing. is there a manual online on how to do that?

 

ehh im on my work PC so i dont have my quick links but im sure if Latin_EM2 saw this, he would post up how to.

 

Latin Em2 has a detailed diagram on how to do every possible thing to your car...

 

our cars use a cycling clutch thermostatic expansion valve A/C system. This means a couple things, primarily, the a/c compressor is supposed to turn on and off depending on the heat load. If it's doing it really rapidly, you're probably just low on R134a...NOT freon, NOT R12. refridgerant has a life span of about 5 years, so many of us 7thgeners are approaching the end of the original R134a life span. Take it to a reputable a/c shop and have them recycle and recharge your a/c system. Also check your condenser, the unit that sits in front of your radiator. If the fins are excessively bent or blocked by debris, fix it, as they impede the exchange of heat from the condenser to the outside air. Changing the compressor is expensive, not just the part itself, but the process. If you do it yourself, you're going to have to not only replace the compressor, but the receiver/drier too because without a vacuum tool to purge air out of the lines, you'll saturate the desicant in the drier. Simply put, you'll install a new compressor, it'll work on a new charge for a little while, then blow up. Not fun, not cheap. just my 2 cents.

 

thank u for all the help. they im gonna try and charge it and see what happens....but if someone can get me that diagram that would be great too just in case...thanx a lot

 

im gonna buy a can of r134a and see what happen...where do i charge the ac from? the little thing by the header or the other one with the black cap??

 

If you read the instructions on the kit, it should tell you to charge from the 'Low' end...the cap should have an 'L' on it (I can't remember if it is the blue or black cap).

 

thanx