Hi, the A/C stopped working on my girlfriend's Honda Civic 2008. She took it to a garage for a quote and they said she had to replace the compressor and the condenser. I decided to take a look for basic stuff following instructions online.

So far what I could verify is that the compressor clutch is not engaging (it's not turning). I swapped the fuses and relays and still got nothing. I was visually checking around and I found these connectors hanging from the side of the compressor. Could someone tell me what it is?

Thank you!

View from the top
View from the bottom

 

Those are the compressor wires...i would be hesitant to use that shop if they disconnected those wires for some strange reason without even telling you.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2006,civic,1.8l+l4,1432623,heat+&+air+condit ioning,a/c+compressor,6628

It's entirely possible you just have a leak in the system that needs to be fixed and recharged. Go on yelp and find another mechanic and get a second opinion. Normally when the compressor seizes they will need to replace the condenser as well because of the pieces in the system but he really should have given you some sort of explanation. Mechanics tend to try to milk ac work the most. I had a guy try to sell me on a compressor being bad before when I already knew what was bad. I really couldn't believe it. There are bad shops out there so be on the lookout.

 

That plug looks like it has been disconnected for some time. It is actually one of the two connectors for the thermal switch found on the compressor itself... and this switch is a common failure on "K" series powered vehicles. I suggest you plug it in first and see if the compressor engages. If not, you may want to try and bypass the thermal switch (loop the two red wires in the three wire plug) and then see if the compressor engages. If not, you may actually have a compressor failure.