Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 12:56 AM
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JurassicPark's Avatar
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Default Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

1999 Accord LX 2.3 4cyl

I'm a novice repairman, but I decided to try replacing a bad radiator myself. Took most of the day, but it worked! Car no longer overheats.

However, now my AC does not work.

When I press the AC button, I can hear the condenser fan kick on, but no cold air. I don't think the compressor is turning on.

I noticed that the AC system is right up next to the radiator. Maybe I bumped something when I was replacing the radiator and caused a leak? Or maybe it's something electrical?
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 03:18 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Originally Posted by JurassicPark
1999 Accord LX 2.3 4cyl

I'm a novice repairman, but I decided to try replacing a bad radiator myself. Took most of the day, but it worked! Car no longer overheats.

However, now my AC does not work.

When I press the AC button, I can hear the condenser fan kick on, but no cold air. I don't think the compressor is turning on.

I noticed that the AC system is right up next to the radiator. Maybe I bumped something when I was replacing the radiator and caused a leak? Or maybe it's something electrical?
You probably damaged or left off the wire to the compressor and or compressor relay.
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 04:05 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Originally Posted by tim73
You probably damaged or left off the wire to the compressor and or compressor relay.
Compressor relay is in the underhood fuse box
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 10:14 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Double-checked the electrical connection to the compressor and turns out it wasn't fully seated. AC works now. Thank you.

Only issue remaining is that the radiator fan doesn't seem to want to come on. It will turn on along with the condenser fan when I turn the AC. However, when I was refilling the coolant, the service manual told me to idle the car until the radiator fan came on twice. It never did. Is this a problem?
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 10:57 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

How long did you run the car for?
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 11:39 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

I ran it at least 5 min.
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 01:14 PM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

The car has to fully warm up before itll come on.
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 04:12 PM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Depending on outside temp, it can take awhile. With a cold start, I usually run my car for 15-20 minutes before the fan kicks on.
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Watch the temp gauge and don't go past 1/2 way.
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Old Jun 15, 2015 | 08:50 AM
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Default Re: Replaced Radiator. Now AC Doesn't Work.

Didn't realize it would take that long for the fans to come on. I'll watch the temps, but it sounds like everything is right. Thanks guys.
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