I'm am having a hard time figuring out what could be causing my AC to not work on my 02 Accord. Each time I start the car and turn the AC on the compressor will kick on as well as the fans. After a few seconds everything shuts off. It will not come back on either by itself of by turning the switch off and then back on. If I shut off the engine and then restart it and turn the AC back on at the switch it does the same thing. I can repeat this process over and over but never does the AC continue to run for more than a few seconds. Any knowledge on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would start by checking the refrigerant, [R134a] charge, you will need a set of A/C manifold gauges to do it properly.

A simple test is to just press the high side, [bigger of the two] service port schrader valves, caution, if full there is a lot of pressure, keep face away.

Also be careful not to damage the valve.

I would also replace any fuse related to A/C, problem could be as simple as a defective, [not blown] fuse, continuity until there is a load on it, once loaded it "opens". 94

 

Unfortunately I can't really get any pressure readings of much value because the compressor will only kick on for 2 or 3 seconds. Some things that I have done are swap out the compressor fan relay, condenser fan relay, and compressor relay with ones that I know are good. Luckily our daughter has the exact same car. I also jumped across the two leads going to the pressure switch on the dryer. Problem persisted through all.

 

The compressor does not need to be running to get pressure reading, and running for a few sec. is all you need to see what happens to the low side gauge, [suction side].

To keep the compressor running, jump the compressor clutch relay, [#30 and #87] check temp. of the suction and discharge lines off the compressor, the discharge line, [thinner of the two] should start getting hot right away, the suction line should start getting cold right away, they will get very hot and very cold pretty quick if the refrigerant charge is good, if the charge is low there will be only a slight diff. in temp. between the two.

If you have gauges, when you jump the compressor clutch relay and refrigerant charge is low the low side gauge will drop very low, even into a vacuum. 94