LawnGnomeHitman

Ok guys, I'm not a Honda owner, but I've worked on everything from classics to modern imports and have solid mechanical background. I was asked by a friend if I could get the A/C working on his newly acquired 95 Prelude S, with the F22A1 power plant. Upon initial inspection it only appeared to be missing a compressor and A/c condenser fan.

Replacement units were sourced and the hilarity ensued. Nothing fit right and it was soon deduced than the previous owner had swapped in a F22A1 from an accord donor without changing out the mounting brackets. Correct brackets were sourced and the system install proceeded well.

I flushed the system out, good flow all the way through. Installed a new accumulator and pulled a vac on the system, and it holds it perfectly. The blower motor is strong, and the A/C cond fan kicks on when the compressor is running, and thats the problem.

The compressor will not kick on by it's self, I tested it by hot wiring the clutch to 12v, and it kicks on and makes good pressure on Hi and Low sides according to my manifold gauge set. I charged the system with oil and was almost done with the first can of R134 when the system suddenly spiked on the high side. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the clutch not cycling automatically, I shut the comp down and bled off some pressure from the high side, but even with a full cans charge in the system, I can't get the clutch to self cycle.

The low press switch on the condenser was checked, even when bypassed the A/C clutch will not kick on, is there another switch?
How do the expansion valves work on Honda's?
My experience with them in domestics is that they are a go/nogo unit, not prone to sudden seizures? I see the OE unit has that thermal expansion tube, is that prone to failure, and would it cause an intermittent function of the vavle?

The fuses are good, and the relay does kick on the condenser fan.
Any pointers or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

daleh22

Check the rear window defroster fuse that is the circuit mine is ran through on my 1992.good luck!!!

LawnGnomeHitman

Thanks for the heads up, I will give that a shot next time I work on it. I talked to a former coworker who is a early 90's accord enthusiast, I think he has 7. He said their may be a second pressure switch besides the one mounted by the accumulator in the front. I'll be dammed if I can find it. Autozone lists 2 switches, one looks like a temp sender, Advance lists 1, None at rock auto, napa, car quest. Ever heard of that?