Hi all. I have a '96 Accord EX, and the A/C recently stopped working.

It may have been after I took it up to the mountains; I've heard ice buildup can damage the compressor.

Any ideas as to why the A/C does not blow cold air anymore?

Heat still works.

 

Have you checked your freon level? Quite a few test can be done before you actually say the compressor is gone.

 

I've already gauged it, and it's supposedly correct.

 

Is there some sort of way you can tell if the compressor is working?

 

You can watch the center "hub" of the compressor pulley, that's the clutch. When OFF the center hub doesn't spin with the outside of the pulley. When the compressor is running, the center hub spins with the pulley.

If the compressor is running, your high-side & low-side AC pressures should be correct according to the specs for your car & temperature.

 

I noticed when I tried to run the AC (and it didn't work), when gauged, the low side's pressure went way up, even though it was definitely correct before because I had just checked.

What does this mean?

 

Did you verify the compressor is engaging? If yes, and low side goes high (> 75 psi), then you have a blockage somewhere; receiver/drier, condensor, expansion valve.

What did high side pressure do when low side went up?

It may be time for a major overhaul of AC. I've done this several times on Accords and it's not a tough job.
1) Pull compressor and clean w/ oil dribbled into inlet/outlet and manual turning of compressor to verify no compressor shavings (new compressor needed if that is the case).
2) Pull receiver/drier, open and pour old oil out to examine for shavings. If yes, then new compressor. Replace receiver/drier w/ new unit.
3) Flush condensor w/ power flush (compressed air driving light solvent) until clean. If compressor is toast, a replacement condensor is indicated as you'll never get all the debris out.
4) Remove evaporator, remove expansion valve and drain all old oil that will pour out. Don't try to flush. Replace all orings ( leak w/ age) on the expansion valve and temp feedback line.
5) Flush hoses.
6) Install 7-8 oz of good quality R134a lubricant into AC system (receiver/drier, condensor, compressor). Carefully reassemble and pull a good vacuum (as close to zero millibars as you can get w/ your pump). Isolate vacuum pump and see if vacuum holds for at least 15 minutes. If not, you've got a leak to run down.
7) If vacuum leak check passes, re-open to vacuum pump and dry for at least 30 minutes w/ continuous vacuuming.
8) Isolate vacuum pump, and charge into system w/ spec amount of R134a (about 24 oz on most Accords)
9) Start and enjoy cool air.

I've found used AC parts are good buys and work well if you're careful to examine before puchasing. Check car-part.com for parts near your zip code.

good luck

 

Seems like the blockage would have to be DOWNSTREAM of where you measured that pressure. Kinda unusual, but in that case the high & low side would both have to be high.