SHaFT7

My car has been doing some weird stuff the past several years. I usually leave A/C OFF during the winter, and usually around april-may is the first time i'll have to run it. Almost every year for the past three, i've had to replace the A/C clutch coil. I even talked to an acura tech who said he's replaced only a handful period and never more than once.

My question is, am I doing damage by not just leaving the A/C system on AUTO all winter? I was doing some reading about keeping things lubed up and such. Can any experts chime in?

This is really the only problem my car has, and it looks like it just reared it's head again. (I tried running the car on max AC (LO) and it will only run the compressor for about 5-7 sec before cycling off for 30sec and then cycling back on again.)

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

The clutch coil won't go bad if not used, and in the winter if you use the defroster the compressor will be activated. When outside temp high, place a stick thermometer in the center vent to see what the temp might be when the A/C on high, recirculate. Cycling is dependent upon ambient air temp and humidity, but I'd have gauges put on the system to see if the system has a low charge. If it does show low, there is a leak.

SHaFT7

Well it's definitely not warm now. So if the car will cycle the a/c based on the ambient temps, then that makes sense. However, I would think that if you put it on LO, then it would run the a/c no matter what....

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Just remember that even if the A/C is set on low, the engine rpm's do not change and the compressor is turning the same whether on high or low. Also on low, the volume of air passing over the evap is lessened and rather than getting into the workings of the system, let's just say it becomes less efficient and the system will cycle on and off.

SHaFT7

What I meant by LO is setting the cabin temp all the way down so that it is trying to make it as cold as possible, so actually that means Max AC

SHaFT7

ok, I retract that my car was having problems. we had a warmer day the other day and the A/C worked just fine. so there must be sensors that will turn it off when it's cold/dry enough even if you force it on.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

That was an easy fix.

dcmodels

That is the case for the Acura RDX A/C - and for more on maintaining the HVAC (heater, vacuum, and A/C) system:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805682

ZEE06

what are the signs of a bad coil? Does the compressor not engage if its bad?

I hate cars

A bad coil would cause clutch slippage a d usually noise or it won't work at all its rare for them to go out.

All AC systems cycle the compressor on and off. Usually more when it's cold outside but mine will cycle on a 105 degree day just not as much. The exception is the variable displacement compressors which are usually always on when the AC is activated. Our cars don't use them so it doesn't matter.