AC stops blowing cold after a while?

2011 HONDA ODYSSEY
218,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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ETERNALARIANNE
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So, the past few days I've had an issue where the AC will blow cold when starting out, but after about 20 mins of driving it will just stop and blow "normal" air and I have to turn it off and roll the windows down. Also, if I drive without AC for a bit then turn it on, it won't be cold. Its like driving for a while in general makes it stop working (or not work at all when turned on). What could be the cause? I would think low freon, but I'm not sure the second issue makes sense that way...
Jun 18, 2026 at 7:24 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, you are correct, the system is low on refrigerant. This guide will explain it better.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/why-your-cars-ac-evaporator-ices-up-and-how-to-fix-it/

Here is the video that can help you fix it.

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

Let me know how it goes
Jun 19, 2026 at 3:47 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok now it doesn't seem like the compressor is coming on at all. I checked the clutch fuse and it's good, gonna try replacing the relay and see if that fixes it.
Jun 19, 2026 at 3:50 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok new relay didn't make a difference. When I connect a recharge can to the low side, the gauge shoots all the way around past the red so I'm not sure if it's empty or if the gauge is jacked up...
Jun 20, 2026 at 12:23 PM
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STRAILER
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Was the system running when you looked at the gauge? Did you go over the video?
Jun 20, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Yeah I had it on but the compressor is no longer engaging. So it's either low freon, faulty pressure switch, or bad compressor clutch. I'm going to check the freon level with proper gauges later today my neighbor has some
Jun 20, 2026 at 4:32 PM
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STRAILER
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Perfect, I would turn the system on and check for power at the clutch coil, you may have a bad clutch coil. I have seen that before.
Jun 20, 2026 at 4:39 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok I recharged the system but the compressor still isn't coming on. We even tried bypassing the relay and still will not come on. The clutch appears to turn freely so it's not seized.
Jun 20, 2026 at 6:50 PM
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STRAILER
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Are you getting 12 volts to the Ac clutch coil when the system is on?
Jun 21, 2026 at 12:57 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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We didn't get a chance to check that since we will have to remove the bottom cowl. I'll check it and then we'll know for sure
Jun 21, 2026 at 7:49 PM
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STRAILER
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Okay, sounds good.
Jun 22, 2026 at 2:55 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok we are getting power to the compressor, but the clutch won't engage. You can push the clutch in manually but it doesn't "click" and stay in place. Due to the mileage, we are going to just grab a used one from a junkyard and install it
Jun 23, 2026 at 4:38 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, it sounds like you have found the problem, I would check the ground for the compressor as well.
Jun 24, 2026 at 1:31 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Replacement compressor fixed it, it's ice cold now! The old one was all caked with grime and oil, likely from an old oil leak on the VTEC solenoid that was fixed a while back (it ruined the alternator and had to replace it back then). I guess the compressor finally crapped out lol
Jun 25, 2026 at 11:16 PM
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STRAILER
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Can you please leave us a rating?

https://g.page/r/CZdEnyCkGgm6EB0/review

Thank you!
Jun 26, 2026 at 12:31 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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One last question. When we recharged the system, we used 4oz oil around 18oz of r134a WITHOUT stop leak but it was still a little low so we ended up using another 12oz can WITH stop leak since it was all we had on-hand. I've read that stop leak can damage the system, is this true? I'm not worried to terribly much since it was a junkyard compressor we put on anyways, just curious if it's gonna blow up on me later lol
Jul 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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As an extra note, when we recharged it, we used proper gauges on the high and low, not that crappy gauge that comes with the freon cans, so we know the correct amount is installed. I just wanted to check if the stop leak would cause issues thanks
Jul 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM
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STRAILER
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Yes, the gauge set is the correct way to charge the system, here is a video to show you how.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EqdrBVb0sY
Jul 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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What about using 12oz of Freon with stop leak alongside 18oz of freon without stop leak? That was my main concern as everyone online says to not use stop leak but it was all we had since we ran out of the non-stop leak freon
Jul 3, 2026 at 3:24 PM
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STRAILER
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It sounds like there is too much refrigerant in the system, your vehicle takes approximately 27 ounces of R-134a refrigerant and you have over 30 ounces correct? Please check out the video above to help you fix it. I would not worry about he stop leak right now, we need to see what the pressure are first.
Jul 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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The pressures were within range according to the gauges and everything is working fine nice and cold. I just wanted to verify if stop leak would cause issues.
Jul 3, 2026 at 6:22 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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It might not have been that much one can was not entirely full. It's definitely within spec according to the guages
Jul 3, 2026 at 6:24 PM
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STRAILER
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Okay, as long as it is cold I would not worry about it, have a happy 4th ;)
Jul 3, 2026 at 6:32 PM
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