If the outside temp is cool (say below 75) the a/c works, but as soon as the day gets warm it starts blowing only warm air. I took it to the Honda dealership and they said that it was low on freon and that it needs a new clutch and a new coil (cost to repair: $800). They recharged it and added dye. A week later I took it to a good independent shop that specializes in Honda repairs. They said that the compressor has power and ground and is full of freon and dye but they found a bad thermal switch and that I need a new compressor (cost to repair: $1200).
I have no understanding of car a/c systems and thus don’t know which repair sounds like the right one (if either) based on the diagnostics that have been done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I think you need a third opinion from an independent AC specialist. I don’t think the dealership or independent repair shop really understands a vehicle AC like an AC specialist.
The compressor in your vehicle has a thermal cut-off switch to the compressor clutch. You can see it in the image below.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2533964&cc=1415663
What this switch does is it cuts power to the compressor clutch if the compressor should start to run hot.
I can’t find this switch being sold as a separate component. So that’s probably why the compressor had to be replaced.
Tester