Hello, everybody. This is my first post here, and as such I would like to lay a little groundwork.

My wife and I both have Accords. Hers is a 2001 automatic, mine is a 2002 manual. Fortunately for me she can't drive a manual so my car is safe from the doom and gloom I'm about to describe, but alas, it is what it is.

My wife is, shall we say, ignorant about cars. I am not, but as an amateur shadetree-type I don't know that I want to engage in difficult DIY projects that will only end in tears and a huge outlay of cash only to have to pay someone to fix it anyway. So, without further ado, here's the deal:

My wife was driving down I-83 near Harrisburg and hit something very hard, blowing the radiator. For some reason it never occurred to her to stop and she drove it dry another 30 miles to Lebanon, blowing the head gasket. That's fixed (to the tune of $1700 because I had them do the water pump, timing belt, etc., while it was apart), as is the radiator replacement (which I did myself), but the A/C condenser is trash, and as such the A/C doesn't work. Now, I'm sure that I can replace it myself, but what then? Should I get it charged by someone who knows what they are doing or can I do it myself? More to the point, should I even if I can? Is it just the condenser, or are there other concerns?

Next, the SRS light. She left the moonroof open one day and a storm came through and wet everything down. The SRS light came on and remains on. I know there's a way to shut it off, but again, should I? It doesn't seem to me that getting some water on or in the belt buckle should be something disastrous, but if I knew I wouldn't be asking. So, is this something I should be concerned about? Can I shut the light off knowing that if it is a major issue the light will come back on in short order? I dread paying for someone to turn it off for $100 for nothing when I can just do it myself.

Thanks for your assistance. I hope to frequent this board often now that I am actually an Accord owner (I just got mine a month ago).

 

You can replace the condenser but you will have to have the system evacuated then charged.

 

I figured that. But can I do that myself or does someone else have to do it?

 

You can do it yourself if you have the proper equipment. Dont know what the proper equipment is? Prob best to have it done then. Uusally costs less than 100 bucks,refrigerant included....

 

You can get a big can of refrigerant from Walmart. Just empty the can in and you're good to go. It would be best when you replace the condenser to replace the receiver/dryer and expansion valve while you're at it and the system is free. The dryer gets clogged and the expansion valve gets old and starts freezing over.

 

Wow, that is some amazingly horrible advice.


OP, yes you can but shouldn't. Take it to a shop to be evacuated and recharged properly. There is no hope of doing it correctly without investing in a/c equipment.

As far as the SRS light goes, you probably pissed off the OPDS sensor by getting the seat wet. That will have to be cleared by a scan tool (if the seat is dry now). Another possibility is the drivers buckle has a faulty switch. That is very very very common and Honda will replace it free of charge as long as it doesn't have a salvage/rebuilt title. I suggest you replace the condenser and go to a dealer to get both issues handled at once. Good luck!

 

 

Nothing at all wrong with my advice. Period.

 

Oh, one other thing I wanna add is that the pressure switch that detects a minimum amount of pressure in the system(refrigerant) is designed to turn the compressor on after there is enough refrigerant in the system so when you add the refrigerant after replacing the condensor and replacing the expansion valve and receiver/dryer, and having already turned on the ac and if after adding a small can of refrigerant to the low side the compressor doesn't turn on then there is something else wrong. Considering that your ac was apparently working before the condensor went out you should be good to go though.

It would be wise to get a complete set of orings ...they sell em as a kit...and change as many orings you can while the system is open.

 

Naw, it was pretty bad dude. Following your advice will likely lead to additional problems with his AC system....

 

YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE A $15000 MACHINE TO CHARGE YOUR REFRIGERANT.

Period. End of story. Anyone that says otherwise is a complete and total ******* moron. I'm sorry, if you want to spout that nonsense go ahead, I've heard idiots on here say that **** all the time cause they think they know more than anyone else. Go ahead and use that machine. It's not completely necessary. You don't need a machine to do what you can do yourself.

I've had perfectly working ac systems that I've charged myself for YEARS. The only issues I had were replacing the expansion valve and receiver/dryer. I know what I'm talking about.

Again, if you want to ACT like you know what you're talking about go ahead. I noticed you didn't actually contradict anything I said, you just stated what you wanted to state cause apparently you want to ACT like you know something.

I don't give a **** if your a certified mechanic. That seal doesn't mean **** to me.

Saying someone is going to have "problems down the road" is the most completely open ended argument I've heard in my life. It doesn't mean ****. It means that you just want to act like you know what you're talking about because I can't prove that the OP is not going to have problems down the road. It's completely and utterly useless.

 

Furthermore I'd have a properly working ac that I've charged myself for years. The only thing I've ever had to replace is an old expansion valve and an old receiver/dryer.

Period. And mine has been and still is cold as ****.

 

Dont have to,but one should. It will ensure peak performance from the AC system and prevent any problems.
You simply do not understand how the AC system works,so you are unaware of the benefits of utilizing an RRR machine. It is not nonsense,it is a fact.
I respect your stance,you are talking on your own experience. But you are one person,with limited interaction with AC systems. My experience stems from repairing hundreds of AC systems over the last 17 years. I have seen the damage that occurs when DIY'ers try to cut corners with their AC's.
Im not acting....

People sure dont like being told they're wrong on the internets.....



I was not specific as to what "problems" may occur,because there are many. Everything from compressor slugging to a plugged condenser.


I will agree that he may not have any problems at all(like you) but the odds are against him. Why not just spend a few more dollars and get it done right???

 

his ac was working before the accident so unless u used some sort of jedi mind trick on his ac system it will work fine afterwards after he recharges it

simple common sense trumps silly ase certified seals

thanks for playing tho


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