My wife has a 2000 Honda Civic. The air conditioning is intermittantly running (sometimes it is cool, sometimes nothing). I know the freon levels are good, because they have been checked.

I was going to have her take it to Tao, because this is the only place I 'think' has a good rep. Suggestions?

6/14/2010 1:39:14 PM

Happy Jap's in Cary...467-2884

Me.

How do you know the levels are good? Do you know the operating pressures? If there's a problem with the system, then the op pressures might have been a key indicator, especially if there is a blockage or the expansion valve isn't working anymore.

6/14/2010 1:58:45 PM

Deitrich (my BMW guy) checked the levels. He doesnt know Honda, but he seems to know A/C.

I wouldnt be averse to having a friendly TWW person work on it, since we have conversed on and off for many years.

6/14/2010 2:03:06 PM

Pinnacle Automotive in Holly Springs. George is a Honda Master Tech with a ton of experience and extremely reasonable rates. I went to him all the time when I had my Integra.

6/14/2010 2:19:01 PM

I am taking this to Happy Japs. Took the car to Wilmington this past weekend. 2 hour drive there and back were no issues. In the heat of the day driving to the beach, AC decides not to work. We could get it to cool in cycles.

happy japs, just as I suspected, states they are going to have a hard time dealing with this unless the problem is happening when they check it out. Any ideas?

[Edited on June 21, 2010 at 2:32 PM. Reason : .]

6/21/2010 2:07:23 PM

Unless it's an intermittent problem with a pressure switch or a relay, I got nothin'...maybe it could be the blend door or temp controller.

6/22/2010 12:15:03 PM

The mechanic said something about the coils not engaging the A/C clutch, and having to repair that component. Bloody $400 fix, but better than a new compressor.

6/22/2010 8:33:20 PM

That's interesting...I wonder how a clutch could be an intermittent problem. I guess if the clutch coil had a short...

6/22/2010 9:47:25 PM

hmm havent heard of a clutch going in and out like that before.

6/22/2010 10:09:48 PM

coming and going...

6/22/2010 10:25:34 PM

this is the exact problem i had with my 95 civic. The coil would get hot and break down whenever the compressor got hot... high ambient temps or stop and go driving (when you really need the a/c) would kill it.

$400 to put a clutch on it sounds a bit steep though

6/23/2010 9:22:29 AM

Well, if you figure that Happy Jap's NEVER uses parts from Advance...they usually always get them from either World Pac or the dealer...and of course, the ensuing markup on the part...and then labor for troubleshooting and repair...it kind of makes sense.

6/23/2010 9:35:54 AM

I may be wrong about the clutch. I am going to murder this description... He said something about the magnetic coil not functioning properly, which is not allowing something to work. he said we were a tiny bit low on freon, and that when they added freon, the problem actually got a bit worse. he said the compressor was fine, and this is one of the things they can repair.

6/23/2010 9:55:59 AM

$670 bill. They had to replace the electric coil for the A/C and the clutch. About Even in parts and labor. fucking a/c

6/25/2010 3:41:46 PM

Having an AC problem with 2001 Honda Accord. The AC will be cold then get room temp for 30 seconds. The compressor seems to be acting great. Just filled up the freon levels as they were low, doesn't seem to really help though. I'm thinking about taking it to this place


http://www.fourbrothersauto.com/

Any advice recommendations on the situation/place would be great

6/27/2010 11:21:51 AM

Four brothers is good.

I'm wondering if you are having a problem with the expansion valve, or maybe the blend door. I'd bet one of the two.

7/1/2010 11:25:42 AM

Had the same thing happen to my 95 civic as well. A few places I took it were convinced it was the compressor and wanted $1200 for a new one + install. But I wasn't convinced since the A/C would work great when the car wasn't warmed up yet.

Turned out it was some sort of heat soak issue. The A/C clutch would fail after it got warmed up.
Wasp Auto near the 54/55 intersection is where I go now. They diagnosed the A/C clutch and replaced it for $250 ( this was a couple of years ago ). Been going there ever since and they are great.

7/17/2010 10:44:11 PM

Wasp Auto?

Is this a shop run by a bunch of uptight Baptist bitches?

Or by a really rude heavy metal band?

7/18/2010 7:01:58 PM

I havent been over there in a couple years but its a pretty cool place. If you are over by 54/55 though you know there is a Asian Import Specialist place right up the street on 55 right?

7/20/2010 1:52:09 PM