Anyone know about car AC systems?

[Dhos1]

Forum,
Took the day off to work on my wife’s 2011 Acura Rdx ac. The issue is sometimes it will blow cold then other times it will be hot air coming out. I started working to pull and replace the compressor and found one of the fans not connected electrically. It has two. Could that be a possibility that only one fan was not enough to blow over the condenser keeping it cold. I remember that it was at a stop when it happened so maybe the fans would stop and not blow air across it causing it to be hot?

 

[skidlid]

not sure on our cars, but some newer cars the a/c compressor will not turn on without the fan running.

 

[corsair231]

Usually on situations like this it is either low on refrigerant or you have a problem with your blend doors. Blend doors can be electrical, or vacuum operated. Not sure which an Accura uses. I would check refrigerant first.

 

[skidlid]

If your car has an ambient sensor (won't display correct temp on dash) and it does not work the compressor will not turn on.

 

[Peacock]

Likely the compressor clutch relay or the clutch itself has failed

 

[Dhos1]

It works now, i changed the compressor

 

[Peacock]

It works now, i changed the compressor

The clutch gap was likely excessive. Common and easily remedied.

I’ve been a Honda tech for 20 years.

 

[TURBOTWIN2]

A common problem with Honda/Acura A/C performance is a very dirty or clogged cabin filter making the compressor clutch to “short cycle”, even with the correct amount of Freon in the system due to incorrect air temperature sensor readings.

 

[Peacock]

A common problem with Honda/Acura A/C performance is a very dirty or clogged cabin filter making the compressor clutch to “short cycle”, even with the correct amount of Freon in the system due to incorrect air temperature sensor readings.

That’s common for any car with a restriction on the cold side but I can honestly say that as a 20 plus year Honda tech I’ve only seen that maybe twice.

 

[Dhos1]

All this was fixed with a compressor change. Now the hoop tie is rolling with cold ac that can freeze your butt off if you let it