A/C Nightmare - Any Help ??

2522 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by acurarsxguy, Jul 3, 2005

91 Legend Coupe

Discussion Starter · Jul 9, 2002

I've had my 91 coupe for almost 3 years now and this has been totally an on going frustration.
First when i got my legend the compressor was frozen so there was no belt on it and upon inspection the clutch was locked up.
I found a used compressor from a junkyard, installed it myself and then took it to an A/C specialist to inspect and fill my compressor.
Since then my system has been acting up like crazy. It used to be where it was hard to get the thing started. I would turn the knob to cold and turn on the fan (any speed didn't matter) and then have to push the little A/C button like a million times before the compressor finally kicked on. Once it was on it was golden. freezing cold air and never went off. I eventually purchased a new Fan Timer Unit and Fan Control Unit and installed them. My problem went away. A/C came on all the time the moment i turned it on.
Then slowly a new problem came about. The a/c would come on, but randomly the compressor would kick off and just blow hot air. I'm now at the point where i can get in and out of the car like 10 times a day and one time i turn the car on the compressor will kick on and work and other times i'll get nothing from the compressor and just hot air.
Like i drove from Va to Ny last week and on the highway the stupid compressor came on and off like 20 times. It will just be blowing cold air one minute and the next hot. It could leave it alone and it will come back by itself. Or sometimes i'll mess with the a/c button, or turn the temp knob to hot and back to full cold and the compressor clicks on. its so odd, but very very frustrating.
It seems like a electrical connection that is not tight or something like that. I have a used replacement manual a/c dash unit coming in the mail soon so i'll keep you all posted on whether its something wrong with that.
but any suggestions on what to look at would really help. I read the most recent post on A/C and i honestly don't have any knowledge of all that high side and low side and pressure gauges so i'm not really sure would i could or should do from that aspect of the system.
Sorry for the long ass post, but i'm just dying here!!
Thanks,
Patrick

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LPB

· #2 · Jul 9, 2002

Does the vehicle have Manual or Auto Climate Control? You require the applicable pages from the HELM in order to diagnose. Otherwise, you will just be "throwing parts at the problem".

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91 Legend Coupe

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 9, 2002

Its a manual control unit.
I have the Acura Legend service manual and ETM for my year legend. I've tried going through that, but i dont' have a whole lot of electrical knowledge with checking continuity and stuff like that.
Patrick

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Acurate420

· #4 · Jul 9, 2002

91 legend,
sorry i cant really help you, but was the installation of the a/c compressor easy, how long did it take you? thanks.

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Spiff

· #5 · Jul 10, 2002

91 Legend Coupe said:
Its a manual control unit.
I have the Acura Legend service manual and ETM for my year legend. I've tried going through that, but i dont' have a whole lot of electrical knowledge with checking continuity and stuff like that.
Patrick

Partrick, from what you wrote, I'd suggest that you get it checked by a A/C tech.

Go to the AirCondition website and post where you live (city/area not your address) and the members will let you know where you can find honest A/C techs.

Too bad you didn't live in TO, I like figuring out A/C problems.

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Spiff

· #6 · Jul 10, 2002

Acurate420 said:
91 legend,
sorry i cant really help you, but was the installation of the a/c compressor easy, how long did it take you? thanks.

Wear eye protection

Once the system is evacuated, removal is pretty quick, about 45 mins.
Jack the car up and reinforce with stands.
Remove the alternator belt and then the A/C belt.
You have to loosen the fitting to the suction and discharge lines that go to the compressor. Do this slowly as ther is still refrigerant/pressure in the reed valves.
Loosen and the 4 bolts that hold the compressor to the block.
That mutha is heavy, since you're on your back, so have something to rest it on while you remove the last 2 bolts.
Get some shrink wrap and cover up the two lines so crap doesn't get in while the compressor is off.

Make sure you remove the manifold from the old compressor as you will need it for the replacement.

When you're replacing the compressor, replace in reverse order, making sure you flush the compressor with PAG, POE or mineral oil (dependent on refrigerant to be put in) and replace the O rings on the suction and discharge lines.

Check the other posts about A/C problems on this site. If you string them together, you'll have most of what you need to do.

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MC®

· #7 · Jul 10, 2002

Fan control units are known to have bad solder joints, even new ones which results in sporadic on/off. The only other cause I know of is low freon due to a leak in the system. Before spending more money changing everything, consult a A/C specialist.

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Acurate420

· #8 · Jul 10, 2002

Thanks Spiff...

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lololegend

· #9 · Jul 3, 2005

i am fighting a similar problem with my a/c. i checked the signal wire coming from the in dash temp control unit (pull out underhood a/c relay and testlight the 12+ signal terminal )i found this 12v signal from the in dash cpu to the relay was intermittant and kicking on/off the compressor.now my question is is it supposed to kick on off at all when the a/c is cranked?

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Rumnarv

· #10 · Jul 3, 2005

If your AC blows cold when the compressor is on then it is not a refridgerant problem or any other problem with the plumbing. It could be an AC clutch relay, high or low pressure switch. anything that is inline with the compressor clutch. Get a wiring diagram and check those items.

Personally, I would replace the relay anyway as they are fickle when they start to go bad. If your problem does not go away then find the connector for the pressure switch and jumper it always on and see if your problem goes away, if not then check everything on the wiring diagram until you narrow it down, then replace the part.

If that sounds too complicated then take it to a certified AC repair shop and have them take a look at it.

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acurarsxguy

· #11 · Jul 3, 2005

Its very common for the Honda's and Acura's to have a bad thermatic switch which controls the A/C compressor. This switch sits in the evap core box on the evap core, and measures the temperature and cuts the A/C compressor off when its gets to a certain temp. I had a honda accord that had the same problems as your describing. I replaced the thermatic switch and everything worked great. I would also check your A/C comp relay.

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