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I have a very well used 1994 Honda Accord which isn't worth the $400-$600 to fix the A/C that stopped working due to a failed clutch. (That's a "sparks and smoke" failure!) No one will just replace the clutch cuz it requires special tools no one has. I'm told it's a compressor replacement (even though the compressor works) which in turn requires bleeding and afterward replenishing the Freon.
Being the "can do" person that I am, my question is if I can just jam the dam' clutch and thus have the a/c compressor run 100% of the time the engine is running? Or will that build up too much pressure (as someone admonished me) and if so how? And/or is there any other "cheep" fix anyone can recommend?
I have a very well used 1994 Honda Accord which isn't worth the $400-$600 to fix the A/C that stopped working due to a failed clutch. (That's a "sparks and smoke" failure!) No one will just replace the clutch cuz it requires special tools no one has. I'm told it's a compressor replacement (even though the compressor works) which in turn requires bleeding and afterward replenishing the Freon.
Being the "can do" person that I am, my question is if I can just jam the dam' clutch and thus have the a/c compressor run 100% of the time the engine is running? Or will that build up too much pressure (as someone admonished me) and if so how? And/or is there any other "cheep" fix anyone can recommend?
No, without a fan running at all times it will freeze up in a similar fashion as an A-coil in your home with a dirty filter, bad blower motor, dirty A-coil, dirty recoup cell on a 90%+.
So unless you want to run your fan all the time it won't work.
That clutch helps equalize the suction line (vapor) and high side (liquid) pressure as well on the compressor.
No, an air conditioning compressor needs to cycle on/off. As the temperature at the coils inside the car (called evaporator) get close to freezing temperature, the compressor needs to shut off - otherwise those coils will freeze up - then air will no longer flow through them - the car will then get hot.
Also there are a couple of safety mechanisms. If the compressor gets to be too hot, it will automatically disengage the clutch - preventing a melt down. And if the refrigerant pressure on the high side gets to be too high, that will also cause the clutch to disengage (preventing the lines from bursting!)
Then the next question is WHY did the clutch go out? Was the system overcharged with refrigerant? Were safety switches bypassed?
Bottom line: Best to fix it right or not at all.
So far as cost, how much will a new (used) car cost?
How much to fix the A/C?
Then the next question is WHY did the clutch go out?
A/C clutches wear out over time. If you live in a hot southern state where the a/c is on most of the year, after you get to a 100k miles, it's fairly common for them to go out. I've had to replace 3 of them on different cars that were all high mileage.
Special tool to take clutch out? Sure? Or simply milking customer?
Probably snap ring pliers and possibly a puller? Even if you can't get a new clutch, maybe you can find a used compressor with a clutch from a salvage yard and pull the clutch from it for your car. You can test it easily by attaching it to a battery and see if it engages and releases properly. Look on Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market for a salvage yard in your area.
Do not know about a Honda , but on a Chevy , you can " borrow " the tools needed . You basically put up a deposit = to the purchase price of the tools . Bring the tools back in good condition & you receive your deposit back . Check AutoZone , O'Reilly auto parts or Advance Auto Parts .
Do a search on youtube for videos for your brand of car & compressor .
God bless
Wyr
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