What happened (A/C related)

[InvalidUserID]

(This is for my 1999 Honda Civic EX). I'm inexperienced with air conditioning systems so this may be an obvious problem that I'm just not aware of.

I've been using the A/C all weekend and it's been working fine and blowing cold. After changing the oil, took it out again and the first few miles the A/C was fine. Then noticed it was noticeably warmer. Thought it was odd but kept driving. At a red light, heard a squealing noise that even made a bicyclist turn their head and then when I took my foot off the brake, I felt something bounce around under the car. Sort of like when you run something over you can feel it in the car, felt like that. I thought it would maybe be a drive belt that snapped but looking in the engine bay, the two belts I'm used to seeing are still there spinning.

Other than that it drives fine, just no A/C. Pressing the A/C button, the RPMs change as they normally do when it is activated just no cold air. And no, I didn't accidentally do anything while changing the oil. Only touched the drain plug, filter and drain cap.

Thanks guys!

 

[AVB]

The clutch on the compressor may have come apart. I had a customer that bought a truck the a/c didn't work in. I hooked the gauges up and it was fully charged. I got to looking around and found the outer plate to the clutch laying on the crossmember.

 

[mattd]

Sounds like the compressor blew apart. Take a look under the hood. I'm sure by the noise you described it will be obvious.

 

[InvalidUserID]

Thanks for the input, safe to drive as long as I don't turn on the A/C?

 

[InvalidUserID]

And took a quick look at the compressor, looks OK. I was expecting it to look literally blown up but it appears intact.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: InvalidUserID
safe to drive as long as I don't turn on the A/C?


Probably. I would inspect the serpentine belt than take a look at the everything with it idling.

 

[InvalidUserID]

Turns out it was a piece of the clutch and other piece came off. New unit put on (Sanden, I think). Works fine, just a different pulley/belt sound from original unit.