2003 honda odyssey cooling fans don’t turn on with AC, ac works while driving and shuts off when sitting still

I have a 2003 honda odyssey, and when i bought it i replaced the condenser and put on a used compressor. filled it up with the proper amount of freon and lube, everything works GREAT. now its warm out again i turn it on and it works fine, while im driving. and then shuts off when sitting still( after a few moments) i inspected the fans and they work fine( when i say they work fine i mean they spin freely, and when 12v is applied work normally) the Compressor shuts off after a few minutes of sitting still, and wont engage until after 3-4 minutes of driving. i got out and checked and both fans d
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If the fans are not working properly and consistently to cool and condense the refrigerant in the condenser, pressure in the system could rise high enough to trip the high pressure cut off switch, thus accounting for the compressor shut down. There is a control circuit for the fans and that circuit will simply have to be traced for BOTH voltage drops and continuity and, as well, proper function of the relays and any temperature sensors that might be in the circuit. The factory wiring diagram is essential. To obtain this diagnostic, and get the required repairs implemented, please request an a/c condenser control circuit inspection and diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The most common reasons for a radiator fan not working can be a blown-out fuse, a bad relay, or a broken wire. The faulty coolant temp sensor might also be a reason behind it. Whatever the case, a dysfunctional radiator fan can be fatal.
Reasons a Honda Odyssey AC Isn`t Working. The most common reasons a Honda Odyssey ac isn`t working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor. You may not realize there`s a refrigerant leak until the air conditioner stops blowing cold.
Why is my Odyssey A/C blowing hot air? If your car`s air conditioning isn`t blowing cold air at all (or it tries, then turns warm), you could have a clogged expansion valve, a faulty compressor clutch, a leak, or a malfunctioning fuse in the system.
For the condenser fan, if there is no power to the fan, then check the fuses for any of them burned. If the fuses are good, then the a/c switch would need to be replaced. If there is power to the motor, then the condenser fan motor is burned up and will need to be replaced.
On most modern cars, the cooling fan is controlled by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which gets a signal from the coolant temperature sensor. If it`s not working, the fan won`t turn on when it needs to, which means the engine might overheat.
Without the condenser fan the AC system can stop working. This is due to the pressure becoming too high if the refrigerant is not cooled from a hot gas to a liquid. The car`s computer senses the pressure climbing too high and disables the AC system.
Problems like a fan clogged with dirt, a dead motor, a loose fan belt or a stuck wheel can all cause your blower to not work properly. These problems can keep the blower fan from blowing enough air out of your vents to keep you cool. Your evaporator coil needs air to blow over it to complete your AC`s cooling process.
If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit`s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system! If that`s the case, your air conditioner will continue to run and blow out warm air, trying to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
When the AC runs without the fan circulating air, it can eventually lead to the evaporator coils freezing over. Once this happens, your air conditioning unit is at risk of more serious damage. Turn the AC off and call an HVAC technician.
Common signs include lukewarm air coming from the AC vent, the car overheating while idle, and a burning smell in the car.
Here`s an easy way to test if the fan`s capacitor is bad.

If the fan takes off and then keeps going on its own, you more than likely have a bad start capacitor. You took over its job of kick-starting the fan by pushing the blades. If the fan doesn`t start running, you may have a bad fan motor.

You may not think it always running is a bad thing. But if you`re asking, “Does the outside AC fan always run?” the answer is “No.” It should not run non-stop. If the unit runs continuously, something is preventing the AC from reaching the set temperature. Here are some reasons why this may be happening.
The contactor is a switch found inside your HVAC unit that controls the voltage distributed to the compressor and condenser fan motor.
Why Is My AC Fan Not Spinning? In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.
If your central AC is not blowing cold air, the refrigerant may be the problem. The unit could be running low and need additional refrigerant added. The most likely cause of this is a leak. A leak not only keeps the AC unit from cooling properly, but also it can cause other issues within the home.
If you notice a decline in your vehicle`s air conditioning performance, especially at low speeds or while idling, it could be due to a malfunctioning radiator fan. Insufficient airflow caused by a faulty fan can impair the cooling efficiency of the air conditioning system.
Your radiator fan should kick in at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice your vehicle is overheating or at the very least running hotter than it normally does, listen for the fan to see if you can hear it.
The condenser or radiator is defective.

A broken radiator can cause a multitude of problems in addition to the fact that your air conditioner is no longer working. Having a professional diagnose the issue can tell you if you need to fix it or if you`ll need to replace the condenser or radiator entirely.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

2003 honda odyssey cooling fans don’t turn on with AC, ac works while driving and shuts off when sitting still
ANSWER : If the fans are not working properly and consistently to cool and condense the refrigerant in the condenser, pressure in the system could rise high enough to trip the high pressure cut off switch, thus accounting for the compressor shut down. There is a control circuit for the fans and that circuit will simply have to be traced for BOTH voltage drops and continuity and, as well, proper function of the relays and any temperature sensors that might be in the circuit. The factory wiring diagram is essential. To obtain this diagnostic, and get the required repairs implemented, please request an a/c condenser control circuit inspection and diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

My cooling fan won’t turn on when I turn the ac on. Relays and fuses are good, tested the fan with the battery and it came on??
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, a situation like this occurs when either the thermostat housing or temperature sensor is not relaying the information to the fan motor to activate. However, it’s also possible that there is some electrical short within the cooling system relay’s that is causing the fan motor to not activate when it should. I think the best way to determine the precise source of this problem is to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete an onsite inspection so they can test all systems to help isolate the root problem and recommend the right repairs.

My car shuts off while driving and then turns back on multiple times or shuts off after driving and car turns off.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the alternator and make sure that the wiring it connected tight. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Look for any loose ground wires to the chassis on the vehicle. If everything checks out to be working correctly, then the PCM may need to be replaced as it may have a battery disconnect condition. If you need further assistance with multiple functions shutting off, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Honda Civic 2008. AC stopped working suddenly and engine check light came ON for a day.Next day AC worked and no engine light.
ANSWER : Hi there. In both cases, when an AC system is not working and a warning light is coming on the dashboard, typically a professional mechanic will complete the same initial inspection, which is to download the stored error codes that triggered the warning light initially. This tends to give them an idea as to what is causing the problems. This could be something as simple as an electrical relay that is faulty or loose or an indication of a computer related "glitch". Either way, the best way to move forward is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection.

Okay so when I turn my lights on at night my brake lights do not work, when I don’t have my lights on they work fine.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your inquiry, it’s highly probable that you have a damaged light switch or some electrical fault inside the turn signal relay. However, it’s also possible that the brake switch above the brake pedal could also be the source of your problem. Due to the fact that multiple electrical components might be causing this issue, it’s a smart idea to first have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake lights are not working inspection, so they can determine what’s causing all of these issues and recommend the right repairs.

Just replaced head gasket, changed crack sensor new plugs. The check engine light is on, but dim, the only other light that the dash is a normal battery indicator. The fuel pump is not running when switch is turned on, the power windows don’t work, it turns over but not firing. It’s like only one part of the system is working. Also the heater fans work even if the switch is off.
ANSWER : I would first look at the diagnostic trouble codes. Those codes are available because the check engine light is on. If the fuel pump is not running (momentarily) at key on, that fault alone will prevent the car from starting as there will be no fuel pressure. Pump output and pressure can be directly tested and you can also check for electrical power to the pump. To find out why the engine will not run, the recommended diagnostic is a no start diagnostic. If you request that service, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

My car shuts off when I turn on the light or even the turn signals please help need this car to get to work
ANSWER : Hi there. This type of electrical glitch can be very difficult to pinpoint or diagnose without a physical inspection. However, in general, the most common causes of this issue is an exposed electrical wire within the ignition system. It is best to have a professional mechanic complete an electrical problems inspection first in order to correctly diagnose and resolve this issue.