Whats up there everyone. Hope you had a great labor day.

I'll try to be as quick and concise as I can.

Month ago I put a new A/C compressor and drier in my 1997 Accord V6 myself. Had it discharged before of course. After install, I had it fully recharged and checked for leaks at a shop. Everything checked out ok and I was back on the road, blasting ice cold.

So about a month passes, and one evening I notice there's a hissing noise coming from what seemed like the glove compartment. I'm going to assume that was some component loosing pressure. The next morning, I go to start the car. No A/C. Great.

Take it back to the shop to have it checked again. I'm not too familiar with the low/high side pressure of A/C systems, but I'll try to explain what the tech told me. He said the low side was within normal range. But the high side was a bunch over 300.(bad I assume) Which he said that it meant there's probably a clog in the line. He said he was able to put some freon in it, but wasn't sure it would last. It didn't. 1 day. I did notice that during that one day, the air did get colder when I was on the highway as opposed to putting around town. Maybe thats normal.

I've done the basic routine of checking things
-fuses, relays, and making sure the fans click on. Everything there is ok there.
-the compressor clutch WILL NOT click on of course.
-Fan blows air, just not cold.

Where do I go from here guys? Any advice? I appreciate it.

 

Or any sort of tests I can run to test things? Without dropping major $$$

 

I'm going to "guess" something is up with the expansion valve. I'll hope TX chimes in and corrects me.

 

If AC cools, then expansion valve may be OK. There may be a couple of problems; overcharge? and perhaps an electrical fault.

Absence of clutch engagement is usually electrical; ac relay, fuse, clutch coil open, or excess clutch gap (prevents coil from pulling clutch plate closed).

I would suggest first trying to understand why clutch will not engage. Check for 12V to the clutch coil connector when AC is commanded ON. If 12V missing, then AC relay, fuse or wiring damage may be problem.

If 12V present, then problem is open clutch coil or excess clutch gap.

Once clutch problem is addressed, you can check pressures again to assess if overcharge or blockage is indicated. Sometimes best way is to vacuum system and recharge by weight, usually about 28 oz R134a.

good luck