have a '92 accord ,4 cyl. a c only blows warm or hot air....can an over the counter refrigerant refill kit be used to check / refill the system ??

 

Your system probably uses R12 as a refrigerant, unless Honda was ahead of the game. I believe 1995 was the year when R12 could no longer be used. If you bought your car used, there's a chance that the previous owner switched to R134a. If so, you can find it on the shelves at the local parts store.

However, there's a reason your A/C doesn't work and you need to find out why before you go filling it up with refrigerant. It could be that your system is OK, but a switch(es) is bad or maybe the clutch doesn't work. Or maybe the A/C compressor belt is broken. If the same belt drives something else, you should have noticed by now. The problem could even be that the water valve and / or blend door are not in the correct position.

To do a thorough checkout, a manual would be very helpful, if for no other reason than to help you locate the various bits and pieces that are needed to make the system work. It's very difficult to say, "Go do/replace this and your system will work".

Any other info you can provide would help. What happens when you turn the A/C on? Do you hear a click/clunk periodically? Is there a pulley that's missing a belt?

 

found some writing under the hood that states a/c work was done in 2010....will check further and post tomorrow...a/c not really needed today as it only got up to 84*..


thank you

 

did a quick check.......[a/c on] it blows air but air is the same temp as motor [that is it starts cooler then gets warmer as eng.warms up ]......left side fan behind radiator goes on and off....compressor does not go on and belts seem o.k. (outside temp. about 74*)

the writing on the framework under the hood SEEMS to say..'' P D I 115. top off A C 1lb 10/13/09 on the passenger side it reads '' evac & recharge change switch 12/16/ 09'' .... the guy who wrote this must be a retired doctor

however my question right now is ,,can I do the over the counter refill deal ??

 

The first thing I would try is to jumper the pressure switch and see if the A/C clutch turns on, as well as the fans.While you have the pressure switch connector off look in the pressure switch for oil. On the older cars the A/C clutch gap could well be the problem. Check all the fittings for oil seepage, freon carries oil with it when it leaks.
Your system will work with 134a freon if the fittings are changed. HOWEVER it really is best to find out WHY the system isn't working.
FWIW R134a is a smaller molecule than the old R12; so if the R12 leaked out the 134 will also but at a faster rate.

 

thank you..

i'm going to put some R134a into the system to try and get the compressor goin'.....if that don't work ,,off to the shop..

 

free advice#1.........check the cold/hot selector switch to make sure it is not striped and not turning the selector from the hot setting.........$80 + tax