1995 Honda Civic A/C won't work when hot outside

1995 HONDA CIVIC
384,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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JVB
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An unusual problem; Last fall the A/C began to "short cycle". My A/C guy suspected low R134, so he put in some gas with sealant. After charging, the engine would bog down and nearly stall, so he let some gas back out. The system has worked, but only if I park in the shade on hot, sunny days. If I park in the sun, the comperssor will not come on until I drive about 10 miles at highway speed. When it comes on, it short cycles, but is adequate to cool the car. If I park in the shade, the compressor starts immediately, but short cycles. Today was very hot, and the compressor shut off in stop and go traffic, and has not re-started. I'm not sure where to try next. Some folks are saying to replace the compressor/cluch, and some are saying there is a restriction. Any help will be appreciated.
Jul 19, 2008 at 2:05 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi jvb,

The symptoms seems like there is too much freon in the system.

Get a pressure test for the low and high side and let us know the readings. We shall see what needs to be done.

Don't go to the guy who put in freon and then release it again, he does not know what he is doing.
Jul 20, 2008 at 4:58 AM
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JVB
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[quote:9c59adbdbe="KHLow2008"]Hi jvb,

The symptoms seems like there is too much freon in the system.

Get a pressure test for the low and high side and let us know the readings. We shall see what needs to be done.

Don't go to the guy who put in freon and then release it again, he does not know what he is doing.[/quote:9c59adbdbe]

Hi KHLow2008,

Thanks for the reply. I was able to borrow a set of R134 gauges and took some readings.

Ambient air temperature ~80
Gauges connected, engine on, compressor off:
Both low and high side ~105.
With compressor on, idling ~1200 RPM:
Low side 32-35, High side 230-232

With a storm front coming through, the temperature was lower than the level the failure normally occurs at. I had parked in the shade, but it was hot (low 90's) before the front came through. When I first tried to take the readings, the compressor would not start. I ran the engine for 3-4 min. @ idle and the pressure equalized ~105 on both the high and low sides before the compressor finally came on. I was pressing the A/C switch on & off inside the vehicle during the period before the compressor started.

I'm stumped.
Jul 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi jvb,

Sorry for the late reply.

Seems the pressure reading is on the high side.

Reduce the static pressure reading to 90 and see if it works better.
Jul 29, 2008 at 10:41 PM
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