AC/Heater Climate control problem - Compressor not kicking in.

[CivPilot]

Ok, this is a bit of an anoying one.

I've had some problem in the last few days with the climate control not cooling the car as it should be, the compressor is not kicking in at all when the air is set to it's coldest.
The system is fully gassed with no leaks (had this done yesterday) but the compressor just will not start up... but here's the annoying bit.... the problem seems to be intermitent

First happened about 3 weeks ago when picking up a friend, the climate control just suddenly stopped blowing cold air (it was a warm muggy evening so it really noticed). Driving home later that night the compressor kicked in fine and started working again. Fast forward to Thursday just gone and again the compressor stopped allowing the interior to mist up really quickly (warm rainy night... cue having to pull over very quickly). Started working again later that night as I left the cinema to drive home, stopped working again 5minutes from home.

Had the system re-gassed yesterday it was slightly low but according the the aircon guy the level was no lower than he would have expected on a car with 62k on the clock.

Currently the compressor wont kick in but when it was kicking in the air was super cold, so it does seem to be doing it's job.

Checked both fuses and they are fine but can't check the clutch relay (I cant even get the thing out of it's slot in the fuse box, any trick to that?).

Anyone had similar or have any clues what to check before I call my local service center (they are good at the work they do but have no time it seems to talk to customers about symtoms, they just seem to want to take your keys and then give you a bill after)

[Man in Black]

No clues on the cause but as far as them not listening either they listen or go elsewhere!! They will listen to that am sure. Your paying so you get to speak!! seemples!!

[gray52]

I've had this on a car in the past, it was the fuse box under the bonnet. The terminals had burnt out and was common for the car at the time. Was very cheap to fix, but I could have been charged an arm and leg, which is what I thought it was going to cost in the beginning.

[beefy_634]

there is a problem with some of the A/C clutch relays in the under bonnet fusebox. it sticks on or off intermittantly. ive replaced a handfull up untill now but it seems to becoming quite a common problem. get it replaced with a new one from honda. it should just pull out but you may find it better to use a pair of plyers.

[CivPilot]

Originally Posted by beefy_634

there is a problem with some of the A/C clutch relays in the under bonnet fusebox. it sticks on or off intermittantly. ive replaced a handfull up untill now but it seems to becoming quite a common problem. get it replaced with a new one from honda. it should just pull out but you may find it better to use a pair of plyers.

Thank's for the replies guys.

You know beefy that's what I'm hoping it is as the problem is/was intermittant but when working it's super chilled.

Tried to pull the relay out but the thing is stuck fast at the moment.

Can I just buy this part from Honda parts? or will they try and insist they fit it themselves?

[beefy_634]

just buy it and fit it. just make sure you explain what relay it is and that it is in the under bonnet fusebox.

[HappyMan]

I am having this problem at the moment and the only way i am finding can fix it without going to the dealer is to turn the a/c off and on until it starts working. I must take mine back to the dealer to get it sorted.

It happened to me whilst in Montenegro a couple of weeks ago and the temperature outside was in the high 30's and I wasn't impressed.

[CivPilot]

Originally Posted by beefy_634

just buy it and fit it. just make sure you explain what relay it is and that it is in the under bonnet fusebox.

Cheers for the help Beefy.

Picked up the relay this afternoon (£20 for a small cube about 1inch big!!!). Fitted the relay and viola... problem solved, freezing cold air again.

Top class advice

ps. Obviously fingers crossed for a few days whilst touching wood with the other hand, but as currently stands the compressor kicked in straight away the the air was cold and conditioned in seconds

[Damon]

Originally Posted by beefy_634

there is a problem with some of the A/C clutch relays in the under bonnet fusebox. it sticks on or off intermittantly. ive replaced a handfull up untill now but it seems to becoming quite a common problem. get it replaced with a new one from honda. it should just pull out but you may find it better to use a pair of plyers.

Had the same problem replace the AC Clucth relay Honda part Number 39794-SDA-A03 £20 all working fine.

[chas01]

After the last service, the car won't blow out warm air until the temperature gauge goes well above the middle and then drops again and the warm air comes through.

I've checked the coolant level and it is within the ranges.

Any ideas?

Charles

[Blaize_p]

Thanks guys for posting such info in the spirit of others learning from your experiences.

My A/C was (very rarely but still irritating) giving me problems by sticking OFF (nothing out of the ordinary appears on screen - Honda CTDI 2009 EX model by the way). You'd well notice here with the hot weather however, that the A/C is not working. What was actually happening was that after quite a while, the RELAY 39794-SDA-A03 was heating up and sticking to OFF postion.

When cool, the car Climate control and A/C works perfectly again. And so the cycle repeats.

SOLUTION? Yes, as you guys said here - replacement of the OMRON/KYODEN ISO RELAY - OMRON MODEL NO is: G8HL-H71. It's a 12V - 20A (max) relay.

If you live on tiny rock like MALTA options are limited to one HONDA agent or else, I found a suitable cheap alternative at a local famous car-electric stores and got this one. (or some online store).

MRS1220 - NAGARES
Micro Relay 12V 4 pins 22A MAX (you can search for it online) Should cost around €5. Fits perfectly and fuse box closes well too.

Now I can switch on/off Climate control with no issues at all, hot or cold, any weather. If I had not checked over at this forum, I was already told that I might have a faulty A/C Clutch and/or has refilling and other needless crap.

Thanks to CIVINFO!

[abs-civic]

I'm having problems with my a/c, had a look at my relay but could not get the thing out!!

Did you have problems taking the relay out, really tried pulling it, but would not pop out!!

[Blaize_p]

Yes - You do need a set of pliers (or some other grip tool) to gently get it out of the fuse box. It sticks hard.

Also - it turned out, in my case, that the problem was not the ISO RELAY - the problem, as my mechanic/electrician found out was related to the A/C CLUTCH itself!

When the car heats up with use (and ONLY when it heats up), the A/C will start blowing HOT air. The problem was (as we later found out) with the A/C clutch not gripping when hot - either because the coil weakens with heat (and ambient temperature can quite hot here) or it was a matter of clutch grip.

SOLUTION? Clutch dismantled and a spacer washer like thingy removed and the clutch re-assambled without it. This way the A/C clutch plates are closer together and when the coil activates, the clutch plates are well tight together so the auxilaury drive belt rotates the A/C without problems.

So there - I hope this information helps those having similar issues.

[andrewpaulb]

Originally Posted by Blaize_p

Thanks guys for posting such info in the spirit of others learning from your experiences.

My A/C was (very rarely but still irritating) giving me problems by sticking OFF (nothing out of the ordinary appears on screen - Honda CTDI 2009 EX model by the way). You'd well notice here with the hot weather however, that the A/C is not working. What was actually happening was that after quite a while, the RELAY 39794-SDA-A03 was heating up and sticking to OFF postion.

When cool, the car Climate control and A/C works perfectly again. And so the cycle repeats.

SOLUTION? Yes, as you guys said here - replacement of the OMRON/KYODEN ISO RELAY - OMRON MODEL NO is: G8HL-H71. It's a 12V - 20A (max) relay.

If you live on tiny rock like MALTA options are limited to one HONDA agent or else, I found a suitable cheap alternative at a local famous car-electric stores and got this one. (or some online store).

MRS1220 - NAGARES
Micro Relay 12V 4 pins 22A MAX (you can search for it online) Should cost around €5. Fits perfectly and fuse box closes well too.

Now I can switch on/off Climate control with no issues at all, hot or cold, any weather. If I had not checked over at this forum, I was already told that I might have a faulty A/C Clutch and/or has refilling and other needless crap.

Thanks to CIVINFO!

Hi,

Just wanted to ask you from where did you buy the relay.. since im from Malta i would like to buy it and replace it myself..

Thanks
Andrew

[bravoray]

Originally Posted by Blaize_p

Yes - You do need a set of pliers (or some other grip tool) to gently get it out of the fuse box. It sticks hard.

Also - it turned out, in my case, that the problem was not the ISO RELAY - the problem, as my mechanic/electrician found out was related to the A/C CLUTCH itself!

When the car heats up with use (and ONLY when it heats up), the A/C will start blowing HOT air. The problem was (as we later found out) with the A/C clutch not gripping when hot - either because the coil weakens with heat (and ambient temperature can quite hot here) or it was a matter of clutch grip.

SOLUTION? Clutch dismantled and a spacer washer like thingy removed and the clutch re-assambled without it. This way the A/C clutch plates are closer together and when the coil activates, the clutch plates are well tight together so the auxilaury drive belt rotates the A/C without problems.

So there - I hope this information helps those having similar issues.

BLAIZE P
I am from malta as well and i'm having the same problem.I think it is the clutch that is not gripping when the engine compartment gets hot.Where did you go in malta to fix your clutch and was it hard to fix???

[Blaize_p]

Originally Posted by bravoray

BLAIZE P
I am from malta as well and i'm having the same problem.I think it is the clutch that is not gripping when the engine compartment gets hot.Where did you go in malta to fix your clutch and was it hard to fix???

I will send you a PM on where to go.


The job is a bit fiddly - there is a spacer that needs to be removed to make the A/C clutch engage tighter. Since in Malta we suffer from extreme heat, the solenoid coil becomes magnetically weaker, gripping the A/C clutch slightly, just slightly, weaker.


There is also the added problem that our friends in the UK just don't use their vehicle A/C - their whole country is Air Conditioned most of the time! They're usually more keen on ensuring the vehicle heater works. LOL (troll face).

[buncefm]

This is what im looking for, just another question guys what is the relay labelled as?

[abs-civic]

Originally Posted by buncefm

This is what im looking for, just another question guys what is the relay labelled as?

Original relay is called an OMRON, made in USA and the new one is labelled as Mitsuba made in Vietnam.

[abs-civic]

Have today got the A/C now working after replacing the compressor, regassing and then also replacing the relay.

Spent £100 on a used compressor from ebay, labour for fitting £60, £50 for a regas and £21 for the new relay.

Chilled air finally !!!