No a/c but system has pressure

[ZionsWrath]

2003 Honda accord 4 cyl

So my ac doesn't work. It worked before winter. I bought a can of 134a at auto zone with a pressure gauge and its showing 80+ with the car running. According to the can it should be 40. But how could that be the problem if it worked fine before?

The compressor clutch does not engage. I thought the system was low so I bought dye and the 134a but it checks out.

what do I look at next?

[ZionsWrath]

Also system blows ambient temp air. Not heat.

[White64Goat]

Really don't know anything about Honda A/C but I'd have to think that somewhere inline there is a pressure switch that is gone bad and will not allow the clutch to engage. I'd try to find a service manual online first.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Really don't know anything about Honda A/C but I'd have to think that somewhere inline there is a pressure switch that is gone bad and will not allow the clutch to engage. I'd try to find a service manual online first.

Fuses i checked are good. There is a 4 prong one. Jumping 1 to 2 with a paper clip i hear the compressor click. Any advice on where to go from here. Seems like a pressure switch still?

I have the factory service manual ill see if i reread it tonight if it makes better sense to me.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Really don't know anything about Honda A/C but I'd have to think that somewhere inline there is a pressure switch that is gone bad and will not allow the clutch to engage. I'd try to find a service manual online first.

This. I went to school for residential HVAC, cars are a little different but still the same principal.

When the compressor clicks, what happens? Your A/C clutch might have seized, I had that happen on an old Lumina I used to have.

[ZionsWrath]

Running the car with the paper clip instead of the fuse. Compressor engages. Some cool air comes from vent, cooler than ambient definitely not ice cold. Center vents cooler than side vents.

[White64Goat]

Probably needs to be charged then. The thing you are jumping is like a switch that gets info from the pressure switch. If pressure is too low, clutch will not engage. Depending on how old the car is, your system could be R-12 which near impossible to find nowadays and is expensive as hell when you do find it. If it's R-134a you can buy charge kits at most auto parts stores. Get a kit that has a built in gauge with it.

There should be a sticker under the hood which tells you what type of refrigerant it has or in the owners manual. Follow instructions, don't overcharge system as R-134a acts different than R-12 (gets cold slower) so don't think once it's full by the gauge it needs a little top-off because it doesn't seem cold.

[ZionsWrath]

I bought the kit with the gauge. And the gauge maxes out to 80psi when it says it should be between 30 and 40. This is low side pressure

[White64Goat]

Went back and looked at your original post.......how much dye/leak detector did you install? With low pressure that high, I'm almost lead to believe the system is overfilled or possibly has a blocked orifice tube (if Honda uses those). Since it's a 2003 it should be R134a and that type refrigerant uses less in the system than R12 if my memory serves me correct.

This site has good info and links at the bottom which may assist you.......http://www.aa1car.com/library/tr497.htm