Hello All,

First off, I'm a noob to A/C system. Car: 98 Honda Civic EX standard

My A/C compressor locked up on me. I replaced the a/c compressor. I turn on the car, set the a/c on full blast. I hear the noise change in my engine when i switch on the a/c. I connect my freon and the pressure will go straight to max pressure on my pressure gauge. I release the puncture **** so freon can be release but my a/c unit is not sucking in freon and the pressure stays max pressure on the gauage. Am I doing something wrong? What should i look at?

Thanks ahead of time for the help. I'm in Texas, it's really hot right now

 

Your compressor is either not good or you installed it wrong.

 

Did you replace the receiver/dryer, pull a deep vacuum for a couple of hours, and leak test before trying to recharge with refrigerant?

 

How do I test to see if the A/C compressor is bad?

I only replace the a/c compressor, nothing else.

 

Post #3. Read it.

 

I just replaced the Receiver/Dryer and Compressor on a 99 Civic EX. After the service, I had to direct wire power the compressor because if there's not enough pressure in the system, the Compressor wont turn on. They do this so you don't trash the compressor when there's no r134a in the system. I ran a wire from the positive terminal on my battery to the plug connector of the compressor.

I will say that I don't have a vacuum pump or gauges so I didn't vacuum test the system. I would've really liked to do it right but I didn't want to spend $60 on gauges and $90 on the pump if I'm not going to use it frequently.

 

So you did it wrong and are wondering why?

 

I'm not wondering anything. I am fully aware that I did not do it properly, and that it could cause problems for me in the near future.

I was letting him know that the compressor will not run with no pressure in the ac system so he will have to direct wire it or jump the relay.

 

the compressor is designed to NOT run when there is NO refrigerant in the system - as there is no oil being pumped through the system via the refrigerant.

jumping it and making it run will only burn up that compressor as well.

building the presures to high - well, it's only pumping air... and it may have a damaged expansion valve as well...

you need to vacuum all the air out of the system - this can cause it to not take a charge and not cool properly if it does charge.

time to spend the money and take it to an ac shop to have it properly serviced, or pay the money and buy the tools yourself.


i wouldn't even call your repair half-assed. more like quarter-assed...

 

Again, I am fully aware that it is not supposed to run without refrigerant in the system. The system is in place to save the compressor if there is a problem.

So how are you supposed to charge the system when it has no pressure in it? I only ran direct for a very brief period in order to get the charge started. Maybe I'm misinformed, but from what I found this is the only way to charge it without expensive equipment.

So you all know, my AC works. Just trying to tell the man the most likely reason why his compressor is not engaging.

...They call me THE quarter-*** repairman.

 

You can't just replace compressor. You need to put in enough pag oil to specs. before you install. Then you need to follow the procedures on how to fill the freon.

This is not being a quarter-*** repaireman. This is plain stupid to do this. Compressor wouldn't turn on without enough freon in the system. Turning it on and compressor not turning on will not harm the compressor, instead, it would save it. Bypassing and forcing the compressor will harm the compressor seriously. You have to charge the system WITHOUT the pressure in the system. That's why freon cans are PRESSURIZED. I don't know how and where you got this idea but hey. If you have money, go nuts.

See you maybe next summer or next month with the post about A/C stop working.

 

Wow.

Apparently everyone around here is simply condescending, rather than helpful.

 

Sometimes hearing the truth hurts.

 

So this isn't a tech forum? Everyone just hangs around talks **** and compensates for other things their life might be missing? No questions answered?

 

The replies to your posts are nearly entirely technical and have pointed out the errors in your comments. You can either learn from those responses or be hurt by them. It's your choice.

 

Okay. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Is there any way other than the method I described to charge the ac system without manifold gauges and a vacuum pump?

 

How do you pull a vacuum without a vacuum pump?

 

Are you sure you turned the valve on the reon can correctly? I retro'd a vehicle the other day and finally figured out how to get freon in the liquid line. Gauge showed it was maxed out but no freon came out of the connector. Had to play with the **** a little...

 

I never said anything about pulling a vacuum.

 

That's the problem. One of them at least.

 

Vacuum, shmacuum... just do it the old fashioned way...

 

After pulling a deep vacuum on the system, the vacuum itself is sufficient to suck refrigerant gas into the system from the pressured can without the compressor running. Therefore, some refrigerant can initially be added to the system without the compressor running. In addition, you only need to add a small amount of refrigerant to the system to keep the dual pressure switch closed because its low limit is only 28 PSI. Therefore, the dual pressure switch closes soon after you open the refrigerant can to the system.

 

I honestly have no idea if you're being serious or not. But to clarify, I understand that running the system on a vacuum prior to charging is clearly the best answer for several reasons but I chose not to do that. As was stated, this may turn out to be more of a learning experience than I expected -- and that's fine.

 

Please read post #22. I think I answer your question there.

 

Failure is always an experiance, however learning from one who has been down the road is a better experiance (Less costly in the long run) I realize you felt no need for the vacuum. But one doesnt have to get an expensive pump. If you have air power, for less than 30 bucks one can get an vacuum pump at harbor freight, northern tool, whatever you have and gotten the thing to work on the first try.