I have a 90dx hatch with AC. Before all this the AC would just blow air not cold or hot. The compressor does not turn on right away takes about 10secs after the button has been depressed. I've inspected/cleaned the evaporator, swapped a expansion valve with my integra, thermostat. Bought a new receiver/dryer. I have recharged/flushed whenever I did something.

I hear the compressor kicking in when I recharge it so I know that works. The hole system takes about 1/2 can of r134a, the low pressure side is reading 40psi. I checked it before doing anything the pressure was high around 120psi. There are no visible leaks in the system, condensor is still good. I'm thinking its probably the A/C Compressor but don't want to spend $300 for a new one. Any ideas before I shell out $300?

B.t.w I'm using a retrofit kit from r12 -> r134a

 

did you cheak the fuses in the motor compartment? i had a Similar problem it turned out that my a/c fan was bad. when the a/c would kick in the fan would blow the fuse and the compresor would shut down causing it to blow hot air.

 

thats fine, both fans turn on.

 

You readings for the high and low side are too low. Are those readings with the A/C compressor running? You should be getting 80 on the low side and 200+ on the high side. 1/2 ounce of 134a is not enough for the whole system. And are you putting A/C oil back in with these replaced parts? There is a switch near the reciever/dryer and evaporator that controls the AC clutch activation. Is it adjustable? If the pressure in the system is too low this switch will not turn on the A/C compressor.

 

This kit says not to exceed 45psi on the low side.

 

I thought the psi depended on the car?

mine was like 55-65? for low..

even if they were low wouldn't it still blow?

 

That doesn't sound like enough. What size is the can?

 

The A/C system will not work if it can't exceed 45 psi on the low side. When you compressor is working the low side gauge will shoot up to 80 psi and work its way down to a preset pressure before the compressor is shut off for a few seconds. This shut off pressure varies by altitude and ambiant tempature of your location. Usually I see the low side pressure switch cut the pressure at 40 psi, again depending on the tempature outside. Hot days it will cycle on and off less and on cold days it will do it more fluently. Are you retro fitting an r-12 system for 134a?

 

Well, just tested all the relays, circuits. Seems like my compressor isnt kicking in when applied voltage Do you guys hear it clicking off when its engage and I don't mean the condensor fan

 

exactly. Low side pressure for your car should be around 85 and high side should be around 230. and yes I am a mechanic also. ASE master w/L1 to be exact.

 

I've done that in the beginning and it still did nothing, put in 2 cans and went to 100psi but still blows hot air. I've also went up to 70psi, 30psi, 45psi. All of them activated the switch, both fans turned on when it went above 30psi. Like I said I don't think its the pressure but the compressor clutch looks like its not engaging.

 

Do you have power on the wire going to the compressor?

 

Yes

 

Some compressors have a thermal protector on them. I can't recall if they had them on your model or not. If yours does check and see if you have power on the clutch coil side or not. Sometimes they crap out. If you are getting power to the coil, then either the clutch clearance is too large or you have a bad coil.

 

Yes, that would be the next step to check according to my helms manual I completely forgot heh. On to testing that next!

 

One other thing is I don't see anything in the sight glass and I do not lose pressure.

 

What do you expect to see in the sight glass? What are your high and low side presures? Did you get your compressor running?


[Modified by Chiovnidca, 10:10 PM 8/5/2002]

 

have you checked the temp of your condenser. It should be slightly warm. Temp drop from high side to low side should be pretty substantial. Warm high side pipe, the skinny one, Cold low side piping, the big one.

If the compressor clutch is engaging you will be able to see it spin, not spinning when not engaged, spinning when engaged, It has to be engaging in order for you to get high side/ low side pressure readings, If not the pressures would be the same on both sides.


[Modified by hondafrk, 3:17 AM 8/6/2002]

 

freon? hehe. I haven't checked it yet, I'm still at work I'll check in a few mins

 

Its not engaging. I'm not able to check the high side because the kit did not come with the fitting for it.