AC blowing hot air

bigdaddy45 · May 11, 2015

The AC isn't working in my car. When I turn it on full blast and activate the AC it still blows hot air. The compressor seems to work (when I turn on the AC the rpm needle moves up).

I thought the system was low on refrigerator coolant so I got a can of coolant. The can was defective and kept telling me it had no coolant in it. I got a new can and it said the system was overcharged (around 700 psi). That is bad news.

Besides the compressor or coolant is there anything else that could be causing it to blow cold air?

my situation is just like this guys. Everything from the sounds to everything else. Also the compressor sounds like it's always running non-stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A_twEx39Lk

B16racereg6 · May 12, 2015

Is the clutch coming on at all?

midgette_game · May 12, 2015

i had the same problem, AC was blowing warm-hot and i got tired of it so me and my dad looked at it. Came to the conclusion that none of my relays for either the ac or the compressor idk which it was but we got the new relay in and wala, everything was working but ummm still no cold air. turned out my pressure was in the red section of malfunction or broken parts. well my dad let out all the coolant and pressure and then we refilled it till it said there was enough coolant inside the A/C system and it started blowing colder air!

bigdaddy45 · May 13, 2015

midgette_game said:
i had the same problem, AC was blowing warm-hot and i got tired of it so me and my dad looked at it. Came to the conclusion that none of my relays for either the ac or the compressor idk which it was but we got the new relay in and wala, everything was working but ummm still no cold air. turned out my pressure was in the red section of malfunction or broken parts. well my dad let out all the coolant and pressure and then we refilled it till it said there was enough coolant inside the A/C system and it started blowing colder air!

how did he take out all the coolant?

bigdaddy45 · May 18, 2015

I took the car to my mechanic and he said it was good on coolant but that it might be a wiring issue. Has anyone had any issues with the electrical wiring?

ndstan · May 18, 2015

Im having a problem with my A/C but i really don't wanna dump money on unneeded things

IabReh · May 18, 2015

Not trying to thread jack, but I'm in the same boat. Was told might be the clutch or some sort of wiring gone bad or loose. If it's clutch, is it possible to just replace that instead of the entire compressor?

bigdaddy45 · May 19, 2015

I feel like there a common issue that people with this version of civic have. Maybe theres a possibility for a recall? Either way I know there is something electrical.

bigdaddy45 · May 20, 2015

turns out the compressor is done. I took it to a mechanic and he said the compressor isn't clicking at all. The wiring is good but the compressor doesn't work. Time to get a new compressor >:-(

Is it better buying a used or new compressor?

Krx17 · May 22, 2015

Go new. You don't want to have to replace another compressor in a year do you?

Got2lovme9 · May 22, 2015

yeah I just replace my compressor today.. AC would stop working when outside temp got above 85.... after having 125k on the car it was about time to replace it.. it a pain in the azz to replace on the si tho.. go with a oem Honda one they come with 3 years warranty .. that what I did

B16racereg6 · May 27, 2015

Check the thermal switch and connector plug. I replaced a compress and thermal switch because the connector on the alt was plugged in but not staying on. Wasted about 200$ when a zip tie fixed my issue!

Ducttaperacing · May 27, 2015

There are a few conditions that will cause the compressor not to click on. It's rare that a conpressor goes out if the system hasn't been cracked open during the life of the car. Is it possible? Always. But in my experience it's generally something else.

As someone stated: check the thermal switch. It's there to turn off the compressor in the event it gets too hot. If it doesn't work it breaks the connection.

Also check the clutch gap. I'm not familiar with 8th gen civic a/c clutches but generally there is a manufacturer specified air gap tolerance. If it's too large the electromagnet can't pull the clutch in to allow the pulley to power the compressor.

Once again I'm not 100% experienced with these cars but check the a/c relay also. Rule out the cheap stuff before replacing the expensive stuff on a whim.

Normally, I'd say go oem, but compressors are way spendy. My Miata had a leaking one and I replaced it with a rock auto aftermarket one three or four years ago and it's still running strong. The price difference was almost $300.

jlef · May 28, 2015

I was very lucky with my Civic in this regard.
It started last year that intermittently it would blow hot air when the a/c was turned on. I took it in twice to my mechanic (my dad is a pro mechanic but doesn't do a/c work) and both times they recharged and replaced my freon - of course it ran fine while they had her.. Anyways, as soon as it began to get hot here in Ontario, I gave it a shot and hot air again, but now it's ALWAYS hot air. I don't get a moment of a/c relief.

I came across this forum, read through past threads, did a ton of diagnostics and testing myself, and it all comes down to.. faulty a/c relay switch. $21 fix and I'm good to go. But seriously guys, before blowing $1500 at a dealer to get the compressor fixed/replaced -- check the relay switch. Pull out an identical relay, swap them, and turn on your a/c.

bigdaddy45 · May 29, 2015

I got it changed. My mechanic was nice enough to put in a new compressor at the same cost as a used one. Overall, $500 gone

but I get cold air now.

IabReh · Jun 3, 2015

The clutch isn't spinning on mine so would it be best to just replace entire unit vs just the clutch itself?

B16racereg6 · Jun 3, 2015

IabReh said:
The clutch isn't spinning on mine so would it be best to just replace entire unit vs just the clutch itself?

Make sure it's not the wire harness that plugs into thermal switch. Mine is plugged in but won't turn on unless I wiggle the wire. So I fixed it with a zip tie lol.

If your going to buy a compressor, buy a used oem one here. They are a honda acura only junk yard! They also have a ebay store.

East Park Auto Recyclers

Good luck.

IabReh · Jun 4, 2015

B16racereg6 said:
Make sure it's not the wire harness that plugs into thermal switch. Mine is plugged in but won't turn on unless I wiggle the wire. So I fixed it with a zip tie lol.

If your going to buy a compressor, buy a used oem one here. They are a honda acura only junk yard! They also have a ebay store.

East Park Auto Recyclers

Good luck.

Is there a reason why you suggested used over a new one?

IabReh · Jun 5, 2015

So I just got the ac compressor swapped and it's blowing cold again but it's making noises now. Car drives fine and all but it's noisier than before. Also sprayed some belt conditioner on the belt and it's not really doin much. Any suggestions or ideas as to why it's making noises? Aftermarket compressor btw.

roe956 · Jun 5, 2015

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/mech...yourself-now-diagnostic-pdf.html#post15618202

AC blowing hot air

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