# Help! My AC only cools when accelerating! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 24, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346 "2009-06-24T21:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aannesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@aannesley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aannesley)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/1 "2009-06-24T21:31:58Z")
I have had this problem with my 99 Honda Civic for several years and I can’t take it anymore! The a/c works only when the car is accelerating. The fan is still blowing when I am at a stoplight or in a drive-thru, it just blows hot air. I’ve tried putting it in neutral and revving the engine while waiting to move again, but this does not seem to make a difference. Now that summer is in full-swing, I am at the end of my rope! ---
**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/2 "2009-06-24T21:40:38Z")
So, in the past several years have you had it checked by a mechanic? If so what has been done so far to try and fix it? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/3 "2009-06-24T21:47:03Z")
This problem can be caused from a malfunctioning expansion valve. This valve is what meters the amount of refrigerant that enters the evaporator as a gas. If this valve fails to go the proper position for refrigerant line temperature, it doesn’t convert the refrigerant into a gas, but instead it remains a liquid, and the cooling effect stops. You need to take it to an AC shop so they can check and see if the expansion valve is working properly. Tester ---
**Author:** ![aannesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@aannesley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aannesley)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/4 "2009-06-24T21:51:08Z")
Last summer the compressor went out and my husband replaced it. This problem was there before and after the compressor change. Otherwise, this specific problem has not been checked. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/5 "2009-06-24T21:52:29Z")
How can you be at the end of your rope when you apparently haven’t tried to fix it yet? ---
**Author:** ![aannesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@aannesley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aannesley)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/6 "2009-06-25T17:40:05Z")
Are you always this helpful? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/7 "2009-06-26T01:17:01Z")
People get so irritated when you make the smallest joke. We are free to add some levity to the Forum without being chastised aren’t we? ---
**Author:** ![aannesley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@aannesley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/aannesley)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/8 "2009-06-26T02:47:15Z")
I was just adding a little levity myself…is that so wrong? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-my-ac-only-cools-when-accelerating/32346/9 "2009-06-26T04:45:38Z")
I fully agree it was not wrong for you to add some levity. I wish to stay on good terms with our customers. Don’t take me wrong but it seems people are so much on edge and very easily get irritated.