89 HOnda prelude a/c compressor wont kick in please help

[w00die]

I have a 2.0si 4 speed prelude and im having trouble getting the compresor to kick in (the clutch to engage). All the fans start up when i press the a/c button and i just had the guy charge it with the r12 alternative (hotshot) and he put enough to pass the sensor and we think it might be a relay problem does anyone know where the compressor relay is? The clutch dopesn't engage or even click when i hit the a/c button. Also what is the limit that the sensor is set on for the amount of refrigerant to be charged for the compressor to switch on just in case he isn't filling it up enough. And if anyone has any other suggestions it would help, everything is hooked up correctly it looks like and no leaks. Thanx

[bobinohio84]

I dunno if this will help or not but I think the relay is right there on the side of the engine compartment. I'm not for sure though. sorry. I just wanted to post so you wouldnt feel discouraged. If no one else posts soon ill look it up after work this week and post it for u but it's late so i'm not gonna search in the dark garage for my book. GL

[w00die]

the one on the side is for the left moto for the retractable lights, i thought it was it and found another one on the opposite side and realized wut it was for, any help would be nice, im also trying to just run power top the compressor straight from the battery to see if the clutch will engage but i dunno where there is power going into the compressor, any help would be nice thanx

[sofast]

Does the clutch turn freely by hand. Try it with the motor off buddy. Try jumping the pressure switch with a paper clip. also look at the fuse and relay for the ac

[w00die]

the whole wheel that is turned by the belt connected to the motor turns freely, and how would i jump it with a paper clip, where is the pressure switch and i dont know where the relay for the a/c is the only relay in the box under the hood is for the a/c fan.

[joellthomas]

4th gen relays are in engine compartment on the drivers side fender. One for the ac clutch and one for the condenser fan. They are the same relay and can be swapped to test. Don't know if yours are in ;the same place?

[sofast]

Originally Posted by w00die

the whole wheel that is turned by the belt connected to the motor turns freely, and how would i jump it with a paper clip, where is the pressure switch and i dont know where the relay for the a/c is the only relay in the box under the hood is for the a/c fan.

The presure switch is located on the AC line. the clutch is located on the pulley of the AC compressor. With the engine off try turning the outside surface of that pulley to make sure it isnt locked up.

[w00die]

the clutch turns fine, i jumped the wire to the p switch and the fans start up just fine. I downloaded the mechanics repair guide to this car and it sais to mess with the a/c control box inside the car on the passenger side floor. IM assuming my r12 leaked because the fans worked and now they don't and that would cause the p switch to disable the system due to too low of psi of refrigerent.

[mb8353]

Originally Posted by w00die

the clutch turns fine, i jumped the wire to the p switch and the fans start up just fine. I downloaded the mechanics repair guide to this car and it sais to mess with the a/c control box inside the car on the passenger side floor. IM assuming my r12 leaked because the fans worked and now they don't and that would cause the p switch to disable the system due to too low of psi of refrigerent.

I got the same vehicle. I changed the compressor in mine because the valve inside of the thing went bad and would not compress the freon if the temperature reached 85 degrees (TX). When I pushed the ac button, the system worked for approximately 15 seconds, then it stopped cooling. I took it to a local community college ac guru. After 2 hours of testing the system piece by piece, he diagnosed the "control unit-compressor" which is mounted inside the car under the passenger side dash (kick panel). You will have to take out the glove box to get at it (grey box).

The dealer wants two bills plus but, you can get it from hondapartscheap for about a hundred an a half. Hope this helps!