2 annoying problems on my Accord

[suprarx7nut]

So I've got a 91 Accord and:

1. Some of the dash lights dont work sometimes. Its just the lights behind my heater/ac controls. My temp knobs will work if i hit(love tap) the top of the dash, but the others dont turn on. Sometimes, they will be on and then if i hit a button(even lightly), they turn off. They always turn off if i hit a button. Would this jsut be a loose wire? (My stereo was ripped out by some scum thief so that may have contributed)

2. I (stupidly) had pepboys check my A/C system before a recharge. They found a leak in my system so I waited to fix it. Well now I'm going to replace it, but they disabled my A/C system so it doesn't turn on. Is there a universal way to "disable" an A/C system? The light in the cabin that notifies me when its on doesn't turn on so its the entire system.


Thanks guys!!!!!!

oh and if this can be in Gen. Disc. please move it there.

 

[Nick M]

If you have an A/C fuse, then yes. I would need to see the schematic though.

If you have some lights out, maybe the A/C light is off as well, and that is what you are seeing.

Your problem sounds like loose grounds, but again, a schematic would be helpful here. If there is a tech with a bunch of Honda experience, that would be good too.

I am about done for now. Try and come up with a schematic, even if it comes from autozone. Well, it needs to be correct.

 

[Mk3runner]

I have a 92 ex.. the cluster lights went out on me last night. love taps do work, that and a speed bump.

for the ac prob. maybe check the fuses as said. mine never misses a beat.

 

[suprarx7nut]

If you have an A/C fuse, then yes. I would need to see the schematic though.

If you have some lights out, maybe the A/C light is off as well, and that is what you are seeing.

Your problem sounds like loose grounds, but again, a schematic would be helpful here. If there is a tech with a bunch of Honda experience, that would be good too.

I am about done for now. Try and come up with a schematic, even if it comes from autozone. Well, it needs to be correct.

Alright here's all the diagrams. And the A/C just happened recently, my vent lights have never worked since i've had the car, so they shouldn't be related.


**Edit, oh and of course thanks for any input guys, this has been annoying me for the last 4 years!

 

[IJ.]

1) it's a Hondah
2) it's an Accord

 

[empera]

i have one too :runaway:

 

[DreamerTheresa]

1) it's a Hondah
2) it's an Accord

Damn. I was going to post the EXACT SAME THING.

 

[IJ.]

Damn. I was going to post the EXACT SAME THING.

This in itself should be cause for concern !

 

[Nick M]

So I've got a 91 Accord and:

1. Some of the dash lights dont work sometimes. Its just the lights behind my heater/ac controls. My temp knobs will work if i hit(love tap) the top of the dash, but the others dont turn on. Sometimes, they will be on and then if i hit a button(even lightly), they turn off. They always turn off if i hit a button. Would this jsut be a loose wire? (My stereo was ripped out by some scum thief so that may have contributed)

I don't see illumination for climate control. But based on your description, you probably have a bad ground. Have you even looked at it yourself yet? They could have common power, and the switch is the ground also. With a stereo theft, he could have done you in that way. Why did you not take it to Honda in 4 years? I bet you had 4 years of beer money.:biglaugh:

2. I (stupidly) had pepboys check my A/C system before a recharge. They found a leak in my system so I waited to fix it. Well now I'm going to replace it, but they disabled my A/C system so it doesn't turn on. Is there a universal way to "disable" an A/C system? The light in the cabin that notifies me when its on doesn't turn on so its the entire system.

Is this one of the lights that goes out with bumps in the road? You can remove a fuse, but I don't think they would. There isn't a reason to do it.



Be thankful your factoryToyota EWD isn't a total shit pile like that schematic.

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

2. I (stupidly) had pepboys check my A/C system before a recharge. They found a leak in my system so I waited to fix it. Well now I'm going to replace it, but they disabled my A/C system so it doesn't turn on. Is there a universal way to "disable" an A/C system?

^ Sure you can. By yanking off the wire going to the compressor.

 

[suprarx7nut]

1) it's a Hondah
2) it's an Accord

Hey, its been a nice car. Low on maintainence, great mileage..... oh who am I kidding, I've been trying like hell for the last 6 months to trade it for a supra.

I don't see illumination for climate control.

This is exactly why I'm confused... I dont know what wires to search for without taking out the dash..

But based on your description, you probably have a bad ground. Have you even looked at it yourself yet? They could have common power, and the switch is the ground also. With a stereo theft, he could have done you in that way. Why did you not take it to Honda in 4 years?

I've tried to look behind there, but I can't see anything of consequence. Its not a big enough problem for me to remove my dash panels. I'm just now getting the car into nice shape. I've fixed about every piece of the car that can be replaced and now and I would like to finish everything(These lights and some other cosmetics.)

 

[Nick M]

I don't think it is worth the money, but if you want it fixed, then stop by Honda. If you are in Littleton, then Ralph Schomp isn't far away.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Ya, its definately not worth the money. Schomp is 100/hour IIRC. For the lights, I was just hopin for quick fix. I thought maybe since it came on every now and then and went off when I hit a button, someone might have a solution.

I'll try to find a bad ground somewhere this week(spring break!!)

Thanks for all the input guys, I'll keep ya posted. I'm sure you're all wet with anitcipation.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Well so for my A/C I checked my fuses again to be sure, and they are all present and good.

How else would a mechanic disable an A/C system? The light on the dash indicates the A/C is turned on, but the compressor doesn't start up or anything.... :dunno: WTF?!

 

[Nick M]

The compressor likely has a low pressure cut off. That means you don't have refridgerant, in opposition to what you think.

I am assuming everything is working correctly when the light turns on. What does not work? Everything is normal, but no cold air?

 

[johnathan1]

So you had your AC recharged...then it didn't work? Or did it work for a while and then stop? I don't understand...

And have you tried taking the driver's side kick panel off to look at the wiring, and wiggle things around while watching the lights?

 

[suprarx7nut]

Ok, sorry guys, I guess I'll explain it in more detail....

It used to work, but I developed a hole in the suction pipe. I took it to Pep Boys and paid them 30 bucks to find out about the hole. After they looked at it my A/C hasn't powered up at all. The light on the dash indicates it is on, but NOTHING happens. The system is currently not functioning at all.

I'm getting a new pipe shipped to me tomorrow and will be installing it. I'm hoping to figure out how they disabled it so I don't have to pay the mechanic that charges the system to find out what's not allowing it to turn on.

Nick M... I doubt I have any coolant left in the system, so that would NOT be in opposition to what I think

 

[johnathan1]

Well, if there is a hole, then I bet all of the refrigerant has leaked out...

And if there isn't a certain amount of refrigerant in the system, the compressor won't turn on...because since the compressor's oil is circulated with the refrigerant, if there is no refrigerant, then there is no oil, and the compressor will....die....lol.

 

[suprarx7nut]

well shit...

But it ran just fine when it had the slow leak. It never sputtered out or anything, it just stopped powering on immediately after they checked it...

I don't have a clue... :dunno:

**Edit And neither does Pep Boys, I tride them a couple times 6 months ago and they had no clue what their guys would've done.

 

[johnathan1]

Just because the AC blows cold doesn't mean there isn't a problem...

It could have been leaking out slowly for some time...it will still function with low system pressure up to a point...

I think it was just coincidence.