Auto Repairing 1988–1991 Honda Prelude A/C Warning Light On

Auto Repairing 1988–1991 Honda Prelude A/C Warning Light On

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On ’88–91 Preludes, the red A/C warning light comes on when the speeds of the A/C compressor pulley and the crankshaftare different for more than 3 seconds. Here’s what can cause the speeds to differ, and how to repair the possible problems:Crankshaft pulley separation. On some models, a rubber insulator joins the hub and rim of the crankshaft pulley. If the bondfails between the insulator and the hub or rim, the hub turns with the crankshaft, but the rim slips on the insulator, making the A/C warning light come on. To check for this slippage, draw a line across the pulley. Start the engine, rev it up, then shut it off. Look at the line you drew on the pulley. If the marks across the hub and rim aren’t still lined up, replace the pulley.

Compressor clutch oil seal leakage. On ’88–89 models, a leaking oil seal can contaminate the compressor clutch and cause it to slip, making the A/C warning light come on. Inspect the compressor clutch oil seal, and replace it if necessary (see S/B 88-038, A/C Compressor Front Seal Leakage, filed under Accessories). Compressor pick-up sensor. On ’90 models, a defective pick-up sensor can send a false signal to the compressor control unit, making the A/C warning light come on. Check for a defective pick-up sensor, and replace it if necessary (see S/B 90-019, A/C Compressor Pick-up Sensor Set Replacement, filed under Accessories). Compressor control unit. If the A/C warning light is on without any of the above problems, use an 8X magnifier to inspect the solder joints inside the compressor control unit. If any of the solder joints are cracked, clean and resolder the printed circuit board, or replace the compressor control unit.