2001 Honda Civic AC Not Cold

2001 HONDA CIVIC
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RAYSUN80
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Hi, I recently bought a 2001 honda civic, but when I saw the car, the air was not cold even though I switched on the ac. I checked with a local dealer near my home, he told that it could be the freon is less and he charged it. But even after that it was not cold. Then he checked a switch and when he tried grounding the switch to battery the compressor started working and very cold air started blowing. As a temporary fix, he told that we can put a ground wire. But the problem with doing that is that the compressor is on all the time, whether I switch on/off the AC switch on the dash/control panel or not, the compressor is on and cold air blows. I am not sure if any of the pressure switch is having problem or any wire connectivity issue. Any help/direction you can provide will be of great help. I also want to know if this will be a easy/cheap thing to fix or an expensive one.
Apr 19, 2006 at 9:49 AM
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LOSONE
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What sw did he jump, the low pressure sw?. he isn't much of a mechanic to make that kind of fix ot will ruin the compressor as it is supposed to cycle.. If that is the sw buy one and install it

@000 vehilces do not use freon. The use R-134A Let me know.
Apr 19, 2006 at 11:03 AM
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RAYSUN80
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thanks for the prompt responce losone. He mentioned that the high preasure switch is not working. Not sure if it is the low preasure or high preasure. If I have to change these switch how much will they cost and how difficult is it to put the new one in. As of now I have just disconnedted the wire that he grounded. So the compresser is not on all the time now. But the AC does not work now.
Apr 19, 2006 at 1:18 PM
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LOSONE
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It's about a $15.00 switch that just screws off a nipple, kind of like a valve stem cap. No loss of refrigerant. Good Luck
Apr 20, 2006 at 12:15 AM
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RAYSUN80
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Thanks losone, I spoke to the dealer from where I bought the car. HE asked me to bring the car in a weeks time and he will check it. I hope leaving the AC without working for a week is fine, and will not cause any damage.

I will let you know on what I find out once I take the car to his place.

Thanks.
Apr 20, 2006 at 6:44 AM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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No damage unless the A/C compressor runs all the time. You can run it for a few hours and it won't hurt but not all the time.
Apr 20, 2006 at 8:21 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the A/C pressure switch (high or low, as identified). It is about $15 and screws off a nipple like a valve-stem cap with no refrigerant loss. Do not leave a ground jumper that keeps the compressor running continuously, which can ruin it. The system uses R-134A, not Freon.

Conversation Summary

A 2001 Honda Civic AC was not cold after a refrigerant charge. Grounding a pressure switch made the compressor run and produce cold air, but it stayed on regardless of the dash switch. The expert warned that constant compressor operation can ruin it, identified the part as an inexpensive screw-on pressure switch with no refrigerant loss, and said leaving the AC off for a week will not cause damage as long as the compressor is not running all the time. The owner disconnected the jumper and planned a dealer inspection.

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