Lone Starr

I noticed yesterday that my AC wasn't working anymore on my '06 TSX 6MT (it was the first really hot day in a while).
I've read enough threads to figure out that there's a lot I can do to make things worse, but not sure exactly where to start.

Probably unrelated, but I've recently (in the past few months) changed the accessory belt and battery.

Any advice is greatly appreciated- TIA

TexasHonda

First step is get a set of gauges and check system pressure. A leak or slow leak down (13 yrs) is most likely but start w/ system pressure.

good luck

Lone Starr

thanks. I got a refill kit from home depot, and the low side pressure was off the scale, which in retrospect makes sense since the system has equalized.
I dug out the FSM from the basement and went to town last night with the diagnostic modes and a multimeter.
I now know the issue is with the clutch not engaging (ruled out fuses, relays, sensors, and seized compressor) - I'm hoping it's a grounding problem, but I'm not optimistic.
I haven't found a clutch/coil set cheaper than a complete compressor kit, even if it's just the clutch, am I better off replacing the whole compressor at this point?

TexasHonda

So you've confirmed absence of 12V at the compressor connector?

Next step is to check relay contacts for power and ground signal from ECM/PCM. See attached wiring diagram.

good luck

Lone Starr

As I suspected, it's the solenoid- i checked every input, switch, relay, sensor and wire to the compressor connector (including the thermal protection switch on the compressor itself).
As a final check, I jumpered the thermal

I measured infinite resistance across the coil itself, so either the wire to the coil is bad (i don't see any issues on visual inspection) or the coil itself is shot.

Lone Starr

As I suspected, it's the solenoid- i checked every input, switch, relay, sensor and wire to the compressor connector (including the thermal protection switch on the compressor itself).
As a final check, I jumpered the thermal

I measured infinite resistance across the coil itself, so either the wire to the coil is bad (i don't see any issues on visual inspection) or the coil itself is shot.

TexasHonda

Did you every confirm 12V at the compressor clutch connector? Measuring resistance of clutch coil is fine, but easy to get an incorrect reading.

good luck

Lone Starr

yeah, when I jumpered the thermal switch pins in the connector, i saw 14V on the middle pin.
the car's 11 years old (almost half of that un-garaged in Boston), so it's not surprising that the coil went.

I suspect the clutch failing saved me from the infamous black death, so I'm going to just replace the whole compressor.