My crv is having issues with the a/c system. The clutch wasn't engaging when the a/c was selected inside the car. I checked and swapped the relays, even applying 12 volts directly to the clutch, but no go. I took off the passenger side tire, removed the belt, and other miscellaneous to gain access to the compressor. The coil ohm's were really high, 200 to 300k. I pulled the field coil out of the compressor and it was shot. Smelled burnt. No magnetic field when 12 volts applied. I replaced the coil and reassembled the compressor and all the components. Now, the clutch engages, but when it pulls in the clutch plate scrapes across the flywheel. It won't spin.

My question is, should I be able to freely rotate the compressor by hand to determine if it is stuck/seized up? My guess is that the reason the clutch plate is sliding along is that the compressor is stuck.

Thanks for any assistance here.

Nate

 

No advice... or did I answer my own question here?

 

Your model CR-V had BIG issues with A/C compressors exploding. Honda actually got sued over it. Its funny i ran into this thread. This morning at work i had an 02 CR-V come in for a/c not blowing cold. It went from blowing cold to nothing. I hooked up the gauges and it had plenty of Freon it it. When i looked at the compressor i saw this dark redish, amber dust, which is not good. What happens is the compressor pretty much explodes and contaminates the whole a/c system. If you cant turn the clutch that means you need an a/c compressor. I would recommend replacing the condenser also. You can blow out the lines but not the condenser. I called this morning to 1-800-radiator to get a quote for my customer, and they sell the compressor, condenser, oil, O-rings and everything else you need minus Freon for just under $500, it comes as a kit, that's the only way you can buy it(from them). Bottom line is its a VERY common problem with your model CR-V and the only way to fix it right is to replace everything i just mentioned or you will have problems in the future. I would not get an oem one. I don't know if they fixed the problem or not. We did one a couple years ago and used an oem one that ended up exploding like the original one. Like i said they might have fixed the problem by now but i would get aftermarket to be safe. Good Luck.