Hey guys,
SO Last July my A/C quit blowing cool air. I had it examined and the compressor and clutch are fine, we checked the freon, and was told to replace the A/C Relay. It was replaced but the compressor won't engage. When the A/C Relay was jumped/bypassed/whatever techincal term it is, the Compressor engaged and I got cool air.

I am going to take it to a shop to have them inspect it, I am wondering what can I expect if anything.

A previous shop told me I needed to get the system charged to get any cool air, for example.

I just want this fixed and want to make sure I don't get swindled.

 

What model year?

Between the A/C button on the dash and the compressor are the following parts:

Control panel / fan switch
Evaporator temperature switch / sensor
Pressure switch
Multiplex control unit (some models)
ECU
Compressor relay

Jumpering the compressor relay is not recommended because there is no protection against overpressure-- which is likely to occur because the condenser fan is not running.

 

Its a 2000 Civic HX. We jumped it just to know if we could get cold air at all.

 

Had the electronics checked and they said there is no ground to the AC compressor relay or something like that and the ECM needs to be "flashed". They also said only a Honda dealer can do it. What should I know/expect from here?

 

Do you get a ground at the pressure switch (both sides)? When you try to start the A/C, does the condenser fan start? Does the idle speed increase?

I don't think the 2000 ECU is flash-based. It either works or it doesn't.