Honda 2001 AC

FAINTEPIS

MEMBER
2001 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

When my car is kept in the garage the AC works quite well for an extended period of time when I begin driving, but when it is left outside in the heat the AC may never actually kick in when I drive from that location.
Even when it starts out working it will peter out after a random amount of time usually moer than 45 minutes, but it's random.
We had the coolant checked and they said it was barely low. I believe they put in approximately 1lb worth at most.
Is this something to do with the compressor, thermostat or something else and either way, what can this run as far as a repair cost?

5 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

I need to know exactly how much refrigerant is in the car right now and what the high and low pressure readings are.

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 AT 10:04 PM

FAINTEPIS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Other than going to a mechanic and having them put it up on the machines, how would I find that information?

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 AT 10:48 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

If you don't have that information, then you shouldn't be touching the system. That is basic, must have information to repair an A/C system. You can get injured or do sever damage to your system otherwise.

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 AT 10:51 PM

FAINTEPIS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I wasn't asking about repairing it myself. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I was asking the possible causes and costs that could be involved due to my description above.
When I had my oil changed I had them take a quick look at the coolant levels and said they put in less that 1lb for the AC since it was pretty much full and seemed to have no leaks but couldn't give me an answer as to why my above situation would be occuring or how much it could cost me. (Was at a Jiffy Lube)

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 AT 11:49 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

A/C needs to be repaired by a trained technician and Jiffy lube is certainly not that. I would get it out of there and into a professional shop that does extensive A/C repair for diagnosis.