Hi,
First time poster.

My son's 1995 Accord V6 has an air conditioner that hasn't been working for awhile. Thinking that it might simply need a recharge, I went to my favorite auto parts store and picked up a can of "A/C Pro" refrigerant, 20 oz can, model no. ACP-100. It comes with a gauge and 2 foot hose. Started up the car, turned the A/C on, set the thermostat to the lowest setting, and turned the fan on high. Plugged in the hose on the low (L) valve. The gauge gave a reading substantially below the green area, essentially nothing. I then emptied the can into the system per the manufacturers instructions, watching the gauge as I went. The gauge went about half way into the green area (ambient temperature a bit over 85) as the 1st can emptied. I added a bit (not very much at all) from a second can as well, but the needle did not budge as I did this. Cold air poured from the vents. So far, so good.

I let the car sit for about an hour and went back out to retest it. Started it up, set the thermostat to the lowest, set the fan to high, and turned on the A/C. Ran fine at first.

A few minutes later, the compressor started kicking on and off. On for perhaps 2 seconds, and then off for maybe 5 seconds. I found, weirdly, that if I leave the fan set at 1, the compressor, after a couple of minutes, will stop cycling and stay on, but will eventually, after another 5 minutes or so, fall into that same cycling. Engine RPM drops quite a bit when this cycling is going on. At fan setting above 1, it just cycles on and off. As you might expect, during the cycling, not getting any cool air.

Any thoughts? I'm hard pressed to pay to have the A/C repaired on an old old car if it's going to cost a ton of bucks, but I wouldn't mind spending something reasonable to extend its life a bit.

Or do I tell my son to hope for cool weather?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have?

Ron



I suspect that there might have been a leak in the system. The A/C Pro stuff says that it has a sealant in it, as well as lubrication.

 

You overcharged the system and the compressor is kicking on and off as a safety measure.

 

I have a 2001 Accord that is having the same problem. If the system has now been overfilled, what is the best way to bleed some of the coolant out? Does this need to be taken to a mechanic, or can I do this at home....the same way I tried to fix this the first time?

 

Or, it could have a substantial leak, and the refrigerant got low again. Probably need to have a true set of gauges, this will tell you what you have.

 

compressor short cycling is a result of low refridgerant caused by a leak. the high pressure switch stops the compressor clutch when it detects low refridgerant levels. could also be electrical issues, but Im betting on a leak

 

I'm having the same issues in my 97 V6 Accord the clutch on compressor won't stay engaged and it kinda rough idles..not sure if I overcharged the system or it may be something electrical with either the high/low pressure switches

 

Overcharged. Had the same thing happen to me.

 

Go to harbor freight, and pick up a set of AC manifold gauges. Do a little research, it is ALL over the internet. This will tell you whether youre high or low on refrigerent.