Greetings Accord owners. Sadly, my repair didn't hold for very long and the control unit failed. After triple checking the #2 wire at the AC control connector, I found no battery voltage present with the key in the "On" position. I did this as instructed in the factory manual. I took the car to an auto electric place because the no power condition seemed to point to a broken wire between the fuse box and the controls. After dropping the car off I got a call from the service writer who said the car needed a new control unit. I asked him if he was sure that the unit was getting power. He said it was. So somehow I blew that one, I guess. Ultimately they put a used unit in from a junkyard. Somewhat risky, but new one was way too much money.

Here's my real question: After the unit was installed and being told that it was working fine, the writer said they just needed to check for any additional issues with the A/C. I then got a call where he said that the "valves" needed to be replaced, and that it would be an extra $60. I went along with it because I seemed to recall that it wasn't holding a good charge, at least the A/C wasn't blowing as cold has usual. Moments later I thought to myself, just how are they going to replace the high side valve, in particular, without evacuating and recharging the system? I asked the guy at the shop and he said that they could do it without evacuating, etc. He said they had a "special, very expensive, machine" that can do it.

So, OK, my real, real question: Does anyone know of a machine that would actually allow a professional tech to remove and replace a high side schraeder valve without losing the refrigerant charge? Very fast hands maybe? Any input is appreciated. I just want to know if I've been a bit "had". Many thanks. Cheers.

Never mind. It looks like a tool does exist to do this job without evacuating system. It's called an A/C valve installer. It's a hand tool that has a ball valve that closes off the port while you pull the old schraeder and install the new. So, yes, special tool, but not expensive at all. Cheers.