First post so let's make it a good one... lol

My wife's 03 accord ex 4cyl is blowing hot air. I've....
-check the freon pressure to be 140psi on the low side, so i didn't add any.
-replace the $5 relay in the fuse box.
-I've seen low and high pressure switches on American cars but i haven't located it on this car yet, I'm starting to think i doesn't have them.
-I realize there is a thermal switch just before the clutch however i can't get it off without damaging it.

I only assume it's the clutch because i don't hear it click where i turn the AC on nor does the idle RPM change.

Any ideas?

 

ok thats a static pressure reading. are you sure you have the gauges open? whats the high side reading? should be almost the same . please advise

 

i had the car running at the time and the AC was supposed to be on it's highest setting. (however i don't believe the clutch had engaged) I dont have a gauge for the high side. All i have is the can from advanced auto and it's plug only fits the low side.)

 

ok you need to take it to a shop or buy a set of gauges. more info is needed.

 

to be honest by the time you spend the money for the gauges and then find out you can repair it your better off paying a shop to diag the problem. why not take it to the honda dealer and get it fixed.

 

well i always try to fix things myself so i'll learn more about it and have a better understand of how it works, I don't mind testing the ohms on different relays and such. I just don't know what they are supposed to read when they are good. I wouldn't buy the gauges because I'd honestly only use them once lol. I wish autozone or someone would let you rent them for a job.

I'll take it by honda in the AM. Thanks for looking at it with me tho.

Crossing my finger it isn't terribly expensive. lol

 

well you can use a volt meter to see if your getting the input signal to the clutch. disconnect the clutch connector and turn the a/c on and see what voltage your getting at the single wire.
with out proper psi readings it hard to see whats going on if the system is empty or not.
also if you have 140 on the low side then their is a problem. the cheap gauge that comes with the 95% oil and 5% freon charge in the can is not accurate.

 

well if 140 on the low side is to much i could bleed a little out...

 

point to the last post you need a set of a/c gauges.

 

Ditto most of the above^^^.

140 on the low side is way too high, something is wrong with the gauge.

If any of that canned junk has been put into the system the system is now contaminated with hydrocarbons, [propane] and you will have a hard time finding a shop that will do more then put and identifier on it, if it comes up contaminated they will probably send you on your way.

The only way to be sure the system has the right refrigerant, [R134a] charge is to do a recovery, then a evacuation and a recharge.

We would also do a "nitrogen check", put 200 PSI nitrogen into the system for an hour to see if you have leaks.

Then a evac and charge and 1/4 ounce of UV dye.

Yes, your system has a pressure/cycling switch. 94

 

With the car running and the ac on do both underhood fans come on? Does the blower work in all positions. If so the most likely failure is the clutch coil. Still 140 is high for the low side.