So After calling 5 shops to refill my R12 A/C I finally found one. The mechanic refilled it and had it going super cold with no leaks or major leaks (knock on wood). I was pumped because finding a completely stock 91 SI with A/C in my area is like finding a pot of gold. A day after I was picking up my car from a tint shop I noticed that the A/C stopped blowing cold. My stomach sank because I thought the freon was able to escape and it's my daily driver. When I get home I noticed that the pump wasn't spinning. After messing with the relay behind the passenger headlight it started working. It goes off and on.

My question are:

Does the pump constantly spin as long as you have the A/C turned on?
Where is the best place to find an A/C relay?

A/C is a must here in Washington. 105 degree summers

thanks in advance

 

No it doesn't stay on, it cycles if it doesn't cycle on then chances are the freon leaked out. Did they check it for leaks after they filled it? Sounds like a bad shaft seal on the "pump".

 

Sounds like you need to inspect the connector and wires for corrosion.
If they are fine, then change out the relay.
Unless you were rewiring it and bypassed the pressure sensor somehow.

You can quick check if freon leaked out by disconnecting the connector for the pressure sensor located on one of the lines near the battery and putting a paperclip in it.
Just to check it. Do not run it like that or you can destroy the compressor.

 

The first day I refilled it it seemed like it cycled on and off but the a/c stayed cold. Now it will turn off but stay off. I can get it to turn on by jiggling the relay a bit and carefully bolt it back behind the headlight. I don't think there is a leak. But if there is a leak it is really small.
There is corrosion all over the relay. I'm hoping thats it becuase it should be an easy fix.

Can i get this relay from another car at a junk yard. CRX, Civic, wagovan, 4 door, ej1, ek?

 

^^^+1 Bypass the pressure switch as stated, and then you will know if "low pressure" is why your AC compressor clutch won't stay on.



About 1 month ago, I got my 1991 civic from a friend. It had been parked for 3 years, but it ran. On day 1, the AC was cold. About a week later, it was warm enough that I turned on the AC...but it wasn't cold.

After asking on here, I was informed that o-rings/gaskets will dryrot over time, and that it is recommended to turn on the ac once/month during the winter to keep the gaskets oiled.

I did a r134 conversion (with oil and leak-detector-dye), and it was cold again for a day, but it leaked out again overnight. I have priced a o-ring AC set for about $17 at the parts store, but I haven't looked in the FSM to find all o-ring locations.