I have a 96 honda accord ex with 220000 miles... the a/c clutch and the condensor fan will not activate when the a/c is turned on. I hardwired the the compressor clutch with a wire from the batt to the clutch relay and it engages fine, but once engaged it bogs low and almost dies ( it has a slow recovery back to normal idle). Its not a compressor clutch relay problem because I got a new one thinking it was the problem.. does anyone have some info on wht could possibly be wrong? Iacv? I haven't tested it with obd2 equipment yet... im not sure wht tht would tell me.. but im woundering if the ccode 20 (electical load detection) has something to do with the a/c clutch and boging? Any help will be much appricated thanks michael.

 

Bump its going to be a hot sumer

 

I'd start with figuring out why the ac doesn't work before chasing the bog when you hot wire the system. Have you checked the pressure in the AC system?

 

When the A/C is command is 'ON', the ECM compensates for the added load on the engine and increases the IACV duty cycle. When you "hot wired" the clutch, the ECM had no idea and did not increase the IACV duty cycle. This caused the "bogging".
Another reason why this would cause bogging is because when you engage the clutch without turing on the condensor fan the system pressure builds and puts excessive load on the compressor. This extra load on the compressor causes a greater-than-normal load on the engine.

 

Alright that makes sense. Couple questions real quick, does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram for the a 96 accord a/c system? Also Im getting a code 20 when checking the codes by the check engine light. Which is an ELD (electrical load detection). Has anyone had the same code when the a/c didn't work? Will a obd2 test narrow down my problem? Thanks for every ones help so far.

 

Never saw an ELD code that wasn't a faulty ELD. The ELD is in the underhood fuse box. It measures current draw and allows the ECM to know when to reduce the output of the alternator to achieve maximum fuel economy.

 

well it appears i have no eld lol. Alright so ive figured this much so far. I tested the voltage at the compressor clutch relay and it all checks out good from what Ive been told (with car on, red wire is grounded, black/yellow wire 13.8v, white wire 14.7v and the red/blue has no continuity or voltage it goes to the TCM and i have a manual transmission). Alright so its not a clutch relay either because Ive tried a new one. My radiator has a small crack in it and loses coolant slowly. when it gets low the engine temp will rise, but I catch it in enough time to add more coolant or just drive and not let it idle lol (BTW anyone have 96 accord radiator for sale? denso?). It never throws CELs, but my question is do you think my coolant temp switch is stuck open.... telling the ecu not to turn on my compressor? Is there anyway of reseting coolant temp switches? I will test the coolant switch tommorrow to see. If that doesnt work its either a faulty a/c diode. faulty a/c pressure switch, faulty a/c thermostat, or break in the wiring( rare but possible).... Does anyone have pictures/ locations of the following on a 96 accord ex. Low pressure and high pressure a/c switch, coolant temp switches a&b, a/c diode? lol i know its kind of a lot to ask, but any help will be much appricated. Im gonna fix this a/c before summer comes lol. thanks michael