1996 Honda Civic air conditioner wont run

RACHAEL21

MEMBER
1996 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
121,000 MILES

I hae a 96 honda civic and there is plenty of free-on in the system but the compressor isnt kicking on. Weve tested everything and the clutch doesnt seem to be getting anything from the inside of the car to tell it to kick on. Theres continuity through the wires to the clutch. But nothing at the relay switch itself.

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Rachael21,

Does the condenser fan comes on when the AC is activated?
Does bypassing the clutch relay activate the compressor clutch?

SYMPTOM TESTS
COMPRESSOR CLUTCH INOPERATIVE (CONDENSER FAN OKAY)
NOTE: This procedure assumes refrigerant pressure is okay (A/C pressure switch is closed).

Check fuse No. 17 (7.5 amp) located in under-dash fuse/relay box and fuse No. 56 (20 - amp) located in under-hood fuse/relay box. Replace fuses if defective and retest. If fuses are okay, remove and test compressor clutch relay. Replace compressor clutch relay if defective and retest. If relay is okay, turn ignition off and remove compressor clutch relay from fuse/relay box. Using a DVOM, measure voltage between compressor clutch relay cavity No. 2 of
under-hood fuse/relay box and good chassis ground point.

COMPRESSOR CLUTCH & CONDENSER FAN INOPERATIVE
Check fuse No. 17 (7.5 amp) located in under-dash fuse/relay box and fuse No. 56 (20 - amp) located in under-hood fuse/relay box. Replace fuses if defective and retest.

Let me know which of the above 2 conditions are true and I will provide additional testing procedures.