hello,

I'm burning up here in El Paso, Texas.
so i am trying to install a new, rather used, compressor.

I went to the ol' junkyard and I believe I picked up a Matsushita A/C compressor from an 89 prelude si (there were no civics with compressors in them)
here she is:


All the bolt holes line up and the hoses too. The only problem is that the prelude compressor has a four pin connector but the harness i have has only three wires
shown here:


The prelude compressor seems to have a built in sensor
shown here:


I have already grounded the compressor, and ran it direct to the battery. the clutch does engage.

what is this sensor?
will it stop the compressor from doing its job, if not wired up?
is it possible to trip the sensor to make the compressor work?

many thank yous for reading my questions, and i would GREATLY appreciate any kind of input.

 

Sorry, I know double posting is bad, but I also have another question and dont want to post another thread. while im at it i figured i would bump this thread so that it gets a little more looks while im asleep lol

are there any other compressors from hondas that have this built in sensor?

maybe you night owls can help me out. haha

If not I guess ill have to figure out by trial and error.

thank you in advance.

 

triple post! haha sorry again but i think i found the answer to my question.
It seems that the sensor is there because there is a portion of the control module in the preludes that handles thermal protection?. the control module on our crx/civic models don't seem to have this portion and i may just be able to leave the sensor unplugged.

thanks again to all who took the time to read the thread.

 

wont work at all sorry lines are different and so on

 

ah' well, the compressor was only two dollars anyway ha!

I figured the lines were going to be an issue,
but the lines actually fit perfect, with little binding. the o rings set pretty snug too.

Im gonna try it anyways I have nothing to lose but two dollars, some time, and I only have knowledge to gain.

If it doesn't work I guess I get to see what the inside of a compressor looks like up close to give me a better idea of refrigerant and its physical properties when compressed.

I have a vacuum to see if it holds pressure, I'll let you all know.

stay fresh my friends.

 

You could always have custom a/c lines made. They aren't too expensive if you find the right place. I'd rather go that route anyways, especially if you have a B-swapped civic/crx

 

Hey guys just wanted o follow up. The compressor fit fine. I had to bend the lines in awkward directions but the compressor is working great. I pulled a vacuum on the lines and it held for a few hours so i filled it up with some r134a. I'm now getting 16 degrees from the center vents. It turns out the sensor was a thermal protector, but it runs in series with the clutch. there was another sensor called a pickup sensor that I left unplugged as my control unit doesnt have any wiring for it. This compressor was from an old school b20 I'm surprised it worked so well.

 

16 degrees at the vent??? Celcius or fahrenheit?