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Intermittent compressor and fan operation

bai5759 on Wed November 09, 2011 11:44 PM User is offlineView users profile

Year: 2000
Make: Honda
Model: Accord
Engine Size: 4cyl
Refrigerant Type: 134a
Ambient Temp: 85
Country of Origin: United States

Hello,

I am trying to diagnose an ac problem on a 2000 Honda Accord. The condenser fans and compressor turn off and on intermittently, but always together, as though someone were randomly pressing the AC button on the control panel. Sometimes they will click on and off several times in a minute or not come on at all for several minutes. The problem is the same regardless of engine temp, rpms, and vehicle speed. The blower and control panel lights and buttons seem to operate properly. The intermittent problem is progressing to being off much more often than on. Pressure seems normal when the system is off, but does not stay running long enough for the low side to get down to operating pressure. I can hear the relays clicking on and off when the hood is up and the system is trying to run. It appears to me to be a problem with the in-dash ac control unit. Anyone have any advice or know of something I may have overlooked? Thanks in advance for your help.

Cussboy on Thu November 10, 2011 8:27 AM User is offline

Likely low on refrigerant. Maybe you have a small leak that took 10 years to get to this stage, maybe a larger leak. You may be borderline, so once the compressor kicks in, the pressure is too low for it to continue (for the pressure switch to activate). That protects the compressor because low refrigerant would mean low oil circulation.

First thing I'd do is evacuate and weigh the amount of refrigerant that's really in there, to check that.

It's illegal to simply vent refrigerant, and that wouldn't tell you anything anyway.

Edited: Thu November 10, 2011 at 8:29 AM by Cussboy

bai5759 on Thu November 10, 2011 11:33 AM User is offlineView users profile

I double checked today and the pressure is correct.

JACK ADAMS on Thu November 10, 2011 12:38 PM User is offline

You also might want to check the Voltage at the battery as well as the terminals. The computer may be telling it to turn off from lack of system voltage. Dirty terminals will also cause this to happen. Just a thought...

bai5759 on Thu November 10, 2011 3:29 PM User is offlineView users profile

Thanks Cussboy and Jack. I checked the battery yesterday and it was low. I replaced the battery with the autozone gold option and still the same ac problem.

JACK ADAMS on Thu November 10, 2011 4:31 PM User is offline

You should have the charging system checked then! If the old battery had a low charge, the alternator may not be doing its job. The alternator may be only able to keep the components that keep the vehicle running supported with power… Not the a/c system….

bai5759 on Fri November 11, 2011 7:24 PM User is offlineView users profile

Thanks. The rest of the electronics and starting seem fine, even before I changed the battery. I will have the charging system checked though asap.

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