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Honda: clutch..blown..intermittent, it would blow lots of cold air

 
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  • Answered by:Auto_Enlightenment
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Customer Question

I have a 2005 EX Honda Odyssey that I take pretty good care of but it just developed an AC problem. R134 pressure is good, fan blows fine front and back, fan speed doesn't matter, no cooling at any fan speed, pump clutch never clicks on, can't find any fuse that might be blown, but I can test anything you want me to. At first it was intermittent, it would blow lots of cold air, but after we stopped the car and then started back up it wouldn't work again until after sitting overnight. After about a week of the intermittent behavior it stopped working completely. Any suggestion is welcome... unless it's to drive the car off a bridge.

 

Country: United States
Make: Honda
Model: Odyssey EX
Year: 2005
Engine: 3.5 L

Already Tried:
Checked coolant with manifold, checked fuses, looked for the low and high pressure switches with no luck, also can't find accumulator

Submitted: 329 days and 17 hours ago.
Category: Honda
Value: $37
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  Auto_Enlightenment replied 329 days and 17 hours ago.


Auto_Enlightenment : Hello there, I am a Master Automobile Technician certified by Honda and ASE. I can help you with the problem you are having with your Honda!
Customer :
Auto_Enlightenment : These are notorious for clutch relay problems. There are 3 snowflake labeled relays in the under hood fuse box.
Customer :

saw them, check all 3?

how?

Auto_Enlightenment : Well, two will have a picture of a radiator. Those are for your fans. Check the one that is a snowflake by itself, that is for the compressor.
Auto_Enlightenment : You can swap relays to see if the compressor comes on. Also tapping on it can get it to click on.
Auto_Enlightenment : These relays fail often with different symptoms depending on whether it fails stuck on or stuck off.
Customer : My browser keeps crashing. On my iPhone now, hopefully with better luck.
Auto_Enlightenment : If swapping relays doesn't get it to come on then let me know and we'll continue checking other things.
Customer : Is there a way to check the relays with a multimeter?
Auto_Enlightenment : It's ok, things are glitchy on my end too so please bare with any delays on my end
Customer : Swapped the black relays all around and air is still not cold, no clicks coming from compressor.
Customer : Tapping on them now
Customer : No change
Auto_Enlightenment : You can check with meter by powering the side that has continuity then checking the other side for continuity. But they can have sporadic problems that are resolved when they are jarred/moved.
Auto_Enlightenment : Look below the compressor under the car. Does the black plastic shield look oily/wet under the compressor?
Auto_Enlightenment : Look below the car directly under the compressor. Does it look oily/wet?
Customer : No, dry as a bone all around tha compressed and the tubes going into it
Customer : Of course I ripped off the black plastic shield when it got hung on a parking block, but near as I can tell that area looks good.
Customer : Hose is clean and dry
Customer : Probably need a new clutch, huh? Dang, I was really hoping it was just a relay.
Auto_Enlightenment : The relay is definitely way more common but I wouldn't condemn the clutch just yet. We need to check to see if it's getting power first. Do you feel comfortable unplugging the clutch and checking for voltage there?
Customer :

if it will save me from getting reamed at the dealer I'm comfortable doing just about anything. What tools do I need? do I test with car started?

Customer : I pulled the boot back in top of the compressor, is that all I need to check?
Customer : No wait, that's the alternator. Nevermind
Auto_Enlightenment : The compressor is on the lower part I'd the engine and has a small wire coming off of it to a grey single terminal connector towards the lower half of the radiator. Unplug it and check for voltage with the a/c on by placing the red lead gently in the connector and the black lead to a good body ground.
Customer : Ok, took a while to get that connector off but it looks to be getting a good voltage.
Customer : Around 14 volts or so
Auto_Enlightenment : Does the voltage go to 0 volts when the a/c is turned off?
Customer : Yes, and the fans turn on when AC is turned back on.
Customer :

I would think that seals it. Is there any chance of repairing the clutch or do I need to drive it to my dealer to have them replace it, or something in between.

Auto_Enlightenment :

You probably have a bad clutch coil which draws the clutch in which can be difficult to do in the vehicle without damaging the snout of the compressor. It could also be that the coild is fine but the gap between the clutch and the pulley is too large from wear. If it were just the clutch which had failed from to large of a gap and the pulley looked ok, it may be possible to replace just the clutch and adjust its clearance with the proper shims but that is a gamble. The best and most proper way would be to replace the entire set.

If you watch the clutch when the a/c is turned on does it look like it jumps or acts like it wants to be drawn in? We could also check the continuity of the coil to confirm it is bad.

A lot of times the shop may want to replace the entire compressor rather than attempt to rebuild the clutch. The ultimate choice is yours though. It's just that some shops don't want the bad PR if they charge for a new clutch only to have the old compressor fail shortly after. I've replaced many clutch sets though with no adverse effects.

Expert TypeTeam Leader Tech
Category: Honda
Pos. Feedback: 94.5 %
Accepts: 183
Answered: 5/15/2012

Experience: Honda Master Technician & ASE Master Technician

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Expert:  Auto_Enlightenment replied 325 days and 17 hours ago.

Thank you for allowing me to assist with your Honda repair, it was a pleasure to work with you!

Now I need your help. Please take a minute to leave Positive Feedback. Your Positive Feedback is greatly appreciated and helps improve my reputation and standing as an Expert on JustAnswer. Leave Feedback Here: http://www.justanswer.com/feedback/leave-feedback.aspx

If you ever have another repair question feel free to request me personally here:
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I will always do all I can to assist you.

 
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