My problem started last year and seems to be getting worse. A/C stops blowing cold air after ~5minutes and will then blow normal (uncooled) air (it used to take 20-30 min and has gotten progressively worse). When its first turned on and blowing cold, my gauges read LOW 35 PSI and HIGH 150 PSI and vent temp of 53 degrees. When it stops blowing cold air, pressure on BOTH sides read 110 PSI. Note even after the cold air stops, the compressor (or at least the clutch) is still turning. Actually on second look, even with the AC off the front clutch plate always turns. Normal? When turning on the A/C, the RPM bumps and the condenser and engine fan turn on.

Shutting the car off for about 4 hours will return the cold air and the cycle repeats. I also noticed that many times the cold air will stop when I come to a stop sign or light.

Equal pressure on both High and Low usually mean a bad compressor but what's stumping me is the fact that it actually works for a few minutes before it starts blowing uncooled air.

I know these cars have a bad history with A/C and Honda has extended the warranty (7 years/100k) but my car has 123k.

I had some pics but I guess I can't post yet.

Thanks…!

 

bump

 

http://www.aa1car.com/library/ac98.htm

 

The clutch on the compressor is worn out. Nothing you can do but have it replaced. The coil should be replaced at the same time. The compressor itself will not need replaced.

 

I believe there is a TSB for that issue
Contact your local dealer
Should be free of charge

 

facepalm

 

Ok..so here's what I did. I pulled the pressure switch to try to jump it to see if comp would kick in. Since I didn't know which two of the three to jump, I took a hot lead right from battery and stuck it in each hole with car running. First one smoked....second one did nothing...and the third one made the car turn off...like fast!!!! When I tried to start it up, everything turned over but it wouldn't start. Wtf did I do????

 

Triple facepalm

 

Mechanic believes a blew out my ECU. If I get a used one, how does it get reset?

 

Hi,

I know this is an old thread, but I'm having A/C problems like most other folks with CR-Vs and I cannot get the AC to kick in. The A/C relays work and I can activate the AC clutch and AC fan by bypassing the individual relay contacts. Freon pressures on the low and high side are in normal operating ranges as well. From the research I've done, the PCM ultimately controls the relays to turn them on and off. I saw the pressure sensor (not switch) that you mention in your post and have found that this sensor feeds a signal to the computer. I believe you fried the computer by jumping +12V to the pins. I believe the PCM using a +5V reference and ground signal to assess the pressure in the AC line. How did you make out with your repair? If you had to replace the PCM, did the AC start working afterwards?