[eSlon]

Hey guys, I am kind of in a pickle. This Saturday my wife and I are moving to North Carolina (from Ohio). My AC has been working strong for the last month or so, but today on the way home from work I had it cranked full blast and the air coming from the vents wasnt cool. I toggled between having the AC on and off, and could not tell a difference. It would be really nice to have it working for our trip this weekend. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Here is what I know:

- Air temp is the same whether AC is on or off (even with 'Max AC' selected)

- Both the Compressor and Cooling Fan fuses (30A each) are fine

- There is no puddle under the truck after the AC has been on (there used to be a condensation puddle) This makes me think that the AC isnt even activating.

Thanks so much for your help, guys.

-eSlon

 

[SilverRidge08]

When the A/C is on can you hear the compressor kick in? If you don't hear the compressor kick on and cycle normally or if it cycles every couple of seconds it's the lack of refrigerant in the system. Seeing the fuse is ok, that makes me think the refrigerant leaked out of the a/c system somehow.

That's why a lot of manufacturers only give a 1 year warranty on the a/c system. Not sure what Honda's warranty on the a/c system is.

 

[csimo]

When the A/C is on can you hear the compressor kick in? If you don't hear the compressor kick on and cycle normally or if it cycles every couple of seconds it's the lack of refrigerant in the system. Seeing the fuse is ok, that makes me think the refrigerant leaked out of the a/c system somehow.

That's why a lot of manufacturers only give a 1 year warranty on the a/c system. Not sure what Honda's warranty on the a/c system is.

Honda covers the A/C system for the full 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty.

You may temporarily get the system working by adding refrigerant, but if it leaked out there's a problem somewhere.

 

[corvus]

My air conditioning has failed twice on my 2006 Ridgeline. Once in May 2008 and again about a week ago (May 2009). Both times it was the condenser, whatever that is. Both times they had to order the part and as a result it had to be kept overnight (no way!) or taken back in the next day. The only good thing about it was that both instances were completely covered under warranty.

 

[chiph]

If you take it to a A/C service specialist (i.e. not your Honda dealer) make sure they know how to work on a Honda -- they're extremely sensitive to the amount of refrigerant and oil in the system.

Chip H.

 

[eSlon]

When the A/C is on can you hear the compressor kick in? If you don't hear the compressor kick on and cycle normally or if it cycles every couple of seconds it's the lack of refrigerant in the system. Seeing the fuse is ok, that makes me think the refrigerant leaked out of the a/c system somehow.

That's why a lot of manufacturers only give a 1 year warranty on the a/c system. Not sure what Honda's warranty on the a/c system is.

Yeah, I forgot to post that detail. I do not hear the compressor kick on when I turn on/off the AC.

Honda covers the A/C system for the full 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty.

You may temporarily get the system working by adding refrigerant, but if it leaked out there's a problem somewhere.

Unfortunately, my Ridge is out of warranty (I am the second owner, and it has 85k miles on it). Looks like I'll be looking for an AC place to further diagnose the problem. Thanks for the info, though, it helps to at least have some idea of what you are talking about when you go in.

-eSlon

 

[Andy-Montreal]

Check fuse no.12 (7.5 Amp) in the under-hood fuse/relay box.
Check fuse no.30 (7.5 Amp) in the driver's under-dash fuse/relay box.

If both are fine, you have two options:
a) Perform a self-diagnostic function using the climate control unit
or
b) Have your Honda dealer plug the HDS computer into your truck in order to retrieve any fault codes that have been logged

Self-Diag function (Ridgeline RT/RTS)
1) Turn ignition switch off
2) Set fan control dial (left knob) to off and temp control dial (right knob) to MAX cool
3) Turn ignition switch on (position 2) and select any vent mode (choice of four flap positions for air direction)
4) While pressing & holding the A/C button, press the recirculation button (directly below the A/C button) a total of five times within ten seconds. Release the A/C button as the recirculation indicator (lamp on the recirculation button) will blink two times and then commence the self-diagnostic
5) If any faults are found, the recirculation indicator will blink once or numerous times which indicates a fault and a required trip to the Honda dealer for subsequent estimate and repair
6) To restore system, turn ignition switch off

Hope this helps!

 

[TarheelGrad1998]

Hope you get it fixed...you're going to need it. Forcast today: 92.

 

[chaz]

This happened to me last year. A some object flew up from the road and poked a hole in my condenser. I had to have it replaced.

I contacted my auto insurance company and filed an accident claim. They agreed that it was an accident and paid all but the $100 deductible. Saved me $600.

 

[eSlon]

Hope you get it fixed...you're going to need it. Forcast today: 92.

Just great, heh. Durham is where we are headed!

This happened to me last year. A some object flew up from the road and poked a hole in my condenser. I had to have it replaced.

I contacted my auto insurance company and filed an accident claim. They agreed that it was an accident and paid all but the $100 deductible. Saved me $600.

That is good to know. I'll keep that in mind - thanks!

-eSlon

 

[zroger73]

Honda covers the A/C system for the full 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty.

From my 2007 Honda Warranties Booklet...

"This New Vehicle Limited Warranty Does Not Cover:
...
-Air conditioner refrigerant charge after the first year, unless required as part of a warranty repair."

 

[csimo]

From my 2007 Honda Warranties Booklet...

"This New Vehicle Limited Warranty Does Not Cover:
...
-Air conditioner refrigerant charge after the first year, unless required as part of a warranty repair."

Yes, it does say that. Believe it or not that statement was added so dealers would not be able to simply recharge the system as a warranty repair.

If the charge is low the refrigerant went somewhere... there must be a leak. For the dealer to get paid they have to find the leak. The dealer would prefer to just recharge the system, get paid for it, and then get paid again when you come back in a year or two when it all leaked out again.

If the charge is low then it leaked somewhere. If there's a leak it's a warranty repair. Pretty simple.

Dealers have been told that to simply recharge the a/c system is not an appropriate repair.

 

[zroger73]

Yes, it does say that. Believe it or not that statement was added so dealers would not be able to simply recharge the system as a warranty repair.

If the charge is low the refrigerant went somewhere... there must be a leak. For the dealer to get paid they have to find the leak. The dealer would prefer to just recharge the system, get paid for it, and then get paid again when you come back in a year or two when it all leaked out again.

If the charge is low then it leaked somewhere. If there's a leak it's a warranty repair. Pretty simple.

Dealers have been told that to simply recharge the a/c system is not an appropriate repair.

I figured that was the case. I first noticed a related statement in my G35's warranty. It states the refrigerant charge is covered for the first year only, but does not go on to include it during a warranty repair. To me, that means they could theoretically charge for refrigerant and associated labor even if required as part of a warranty repair.

Having said that, I agree that refrigerant won't disappear unless a defect caused the leak and feel the $16 worth of R-134a should be warrantied as well. But... I suppose if I evacuated the charge and transferred it to another vehicle, as long as I'm within the initial year, the dealer would refill it at no charge! Then there is the possibility that someone maliciously let the refrigerant out of my system much like they might let the air out of a tire. Hmmm... I wonder if my tire's factory air charge is covered under warranty?

 

[csimo]

I figured that was the case. I first noticed a related statement in my G35's warranty. It states the refrigerant charge is covered for the first year only, but does not go on to include it during a warranty repair. To me, that means they could theoretically charge for refrigerant and associated labor even if required as part of a warranty repair.

Having said that, I agree that refrigerant won't disappear unless a defect caused the leak and feel the $16 worth of R-134a should be warrantied as well. But... I suppose if I evacuated the charge and transferred it to another vehicle, as long as I'm within the initial year, the dealer would refill it at no charge! Then there is the possibility that someone maliciously let the refrigerant out of my system much like they might let the air out of a tire. Hmmm... I wonder if my tire's factory air charge is covered under warranty?

The refrigerant is covered as long as they do a covered warranty repair. If they need to replace the condensor in the third year of warranty they won't charge you for refrigerant.

If in the second or third year you came in and told them to charge the a/c system and do nothing else it would not be covered.

 

[Stewie]

If you think you have a leak there is a liquid or gas substance you add to the system when your refilling it and with a black light you can see if it's leaking out somewhere. I think this was another 10bux or so when I emptied and recharged my car, no leaks though

 

[eSlon]

Check fuse no.12 (7.5 Amp) in the under-hood fuse/relay box.
Check fuse no.30 (7.5 Amp) in the driver's under-dash fuse/relay box.

If both are fine, you have two options:
a) Perform a self-diagnostic function using the climate control unit
or
b) Have your Honda dealer plug the HDS computer into your truck in order to retrieve any fault codes that have been logged

Self-Diag function (Ridgeline RT/RTS)
1) Turn ignition switch off
2) Set fan control dial (left knob) to off and temp control dial (right knob) to MAX cool
3) Turn ignition switch on (position 2) and select any vent mode (choice of four flap positions for air direction)
4) While pressing & holding the A/C button, press the recirculation button (directly below the A/C button) a total of five times within ten seconds. Release the A/C button as the recirculation indicator (lamp on the recirculation button) will blink two times and then commence the self-diagnostic
5) If any faults are found, the recirculation indicator will blink once or numerous times which indicates a fault and a required trip to the Honda dealer for subsequent estimate and repair
6) To restore system, turn ignition switch off

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the thorough explanation. Good and bad news for me:
- Both of the fuses looked fine

- I was able to get the self diagnostic to run correctly, I think. It only lasted 15-20 seconds -- is that correct? I waited a minute or two and it stopped doing anything after the first 15-20 sec. Also, there were no blinking lights, just solid indicator lights as it went through some of the options - nothing I would classify as blinking, though.

So, what does that mean for me? Sounds like there isnt any major damage? Maybe since the Ridge has 85k miles on it, the freon just slowly leaked out?

If you think you have a leak there is a liquid or gas substance you add to the system when your refilling it and with a black light you can see if it's leaking out somewhere. I think this was another 10bux or so when I emptied and recharged my car, no leaks though

I am going to a repair shop tomorrow to have them look at it. I will probably have them add in the dye if they cant find a problem with the compressor, etc. Then, Ill check it in a week or so for leaks with a UV light.

-eSlon

 

[shovelhd]

Leaking of any kind is not normal. If the refrigerant level is low, you need to find the leak.

 

[Andy-Montreal]

So, what does that mean for me? Sounds like there isnt any major damage? Maybe since the Ridge has 85k miles on it, the freon just slowly leaked out?
-eSlon

Don't immediately presume that your problem is refrigerant-related. There may be a number of possibilities why your compressor is not starting and most of them generally stem from electrical issues.

Before having a local shop hack into your truck's innards, why don't you have the Honda dealer plug in the HDS? If no HVAC faults are found, the technician will then perform a BODY scan (B-CAN) using the HDS to look for faults within the MICU unit as there may be a communication problem between the MICU and the climate control unit preventing compressor operation.

 

[eSlon]

Unfortunately, I am on a pretty tight time schedule and don't have a whole lot of time to go multiple places (since we are moving Sat AM).

I went to a trusted local shop this AM and they told me the compressor is dead. They quoted arond $500 just for the compressor, and then labor/tax/etc brought the total to $760. That seemed really high, so I made a few calls...

Apparently, the compressor in our trucks is made of 24 karat gold. Local parts shops did not carry it (read: special order), and other local auto repair shops were blown away that they could also not get it any cheaper.

They are ordering the part, and supposed to install it tomorrow. Hopefully that will fix it. . .

All I know is that this thing better spit ice cubes at me when its done!

-eSlon

 

[e_piph_a_ny]

They are ordering the part, and supposed to install it tomorrow. Hopefully that will fix it. . .

All I know is that this thing better spit ice cubes at me when its done!

-eSlon

With the price you have to pay, not only should it spit out ice cubes, but also have an option for chipped ice like my new GE Profile refrigerator.

Look at it another way, you're going to be the most popular guy at the neighborhood block party!