Honda Civic is a well-known automobile that makes traveling comfortable. However, it is terrible to find out the air conditioner is not working in your Honda Civic during hot summer days. AC is a unit that runs with several components, so there are various issues that directly affect the AC to malfunction. Why is my Honda Civic AC not cooling?
Let’s find out the reasons to this commonly-asked question and the techniques you can try to fix each issue. Most cases can be easily fixed without the involvement of a professional, so keep reading!
What is a car AC, and how does it work?
Air conditioning (AC) is a unit that cools the air inside the automobile (6’ × 6’ space), and now AC has become a standard for automobiles. When there is an unbearable hot temperature in the car, you can switch on the AC. It is possible to control the cooling level of the AC as well. Mainly there are two types of AC systems in cars, the expansion valve system and the fixed orifice tube system.
The AC unit is designed to handle the refrigerant from a liquid to a gaseous condition. When the refrigerant changes, the heat and humidity in the vehicle are absorbed. As a result, the air becomes cool.
According to the model of your Honda Civic, the amount and the type of refrigerant varies because overfilling might harm the automobile. And to perform the AC smoothly, you need to maintain its components regularly.
Why is my Honda Civic AC not cooling?
Here are the main reasons for your Honda Civic AC not working.
- Faulty compressor – the compressor is an important component of the AC system. If you do not turn on your AC for a long time, the components might be stuck. As a result, the metal chips of the damaged compressor will spread in the AC system.
- Clogged condenser – when the condenser is clogged, there is no way for the heat to exchange. Since this gas becomes liquid, the condenser gets filthy.
- Dirty air filter – this component is responsible for providing proper ventilation for the unit. If the air filter is clogged due to dirt, debris, or grease, there will not be proper airflow. Apart from malfunctioning AC, the engine may consume a high amount of fuel because of this issue.
- Refrigerant leak – if the AC unit has worn out or there are faulty seals and condenser, there might be refrigerant leaks from time to time. It directly affects to reduce the cooling agent of the AC.
- Faulty relay and fuse – the power supply is disturbed if there is an issue with the relay. The fuse which is on the circuit box becomes sick due to some electrical issues. Similarly, if there is excessive voltage, the AC system does not perform well.
How to fix low refrigerant level in Honda Civic AC?
You can easily fix this problem by adding an adequate amount of refrigerant level to the AC unit using a refrigerant kit. But make sure to use the relevant amount of refrigerant according to the model of your Honda Civic. To know the exact amount, refer to the user manual.
If the refrigerant level gets low quickly, there might be a refrigerant leak. It is not easy to find the exact place at once because forming gas has filled the system. So, it is recommended to use a leak-detection spray. Or else you can use a gas detector to search for holes in the components. When you find the hole, replace the relevant component. Sometimes, the defective part might be the condenser. This task is tricky, so you need to meet a technician in order to find the leakage.
How to clean or replace AC filter in Honda Civic?
In general, you have to replace the AC filter (pollen filter/cabin filter/microfilter) after you run the vehicle for 10,000 – 20,000 miles. If you often use the vehicle on dusty roads, sometimes the replacement should be done earlier.
First, you need to determine whether cleaning the filter is enough or not. If not, replace the filter. In order to clean, you can use a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air system. But the inner layers are not fully cleaned with those appliances. If you want to replace it, the stops of the filter box should be removed first. Next, you can push them to remove the box. In some models, the box drops itself, but sometimes you need to remove it. Release the filter cover to dismantle the old AC filter. Now set the new one properly.
How to fix a malfunctioning compressor or condenser in a Honda Civic AC?
First, locate the compressor in the unit. If there are a lot of metal chips, there is no choice except to replace them. When you replace the compressor, ensure that all the metal chips are removed well. If not, they can damage the new compressor as well. If the situation becomes worse, you will have to replace the entire AC unit. The average cost for replacing maybe $249.
To clean the dirty condenser, first, the front bumper should be removed to reach the condenser. Then take a power washer and clean the condenser well. However, you should set the pressure at a low level because high pressure might damage the component. Then, let the condenser dry and attach it as it was.
How to troubleshoot electrical issues with the Honda Civic AC?
To recognize the electrical issues of the Honda Civic AC, you need to check the AC unit. It is recommended to use a multimeter to check the connectors preciously. The leads of the multimeter should be connected across the coil terminals. If the reading is different than the usual amount of coil, there might be a problem with the relay. Then you should replace the relay.
The fuse of the AC unit is located close to the AC compressor. Again, you will need the multimeter to read the measurement of the fuse. Place the leads carefully on the screws so you will be able to read the voltage. If you cannot see the reading, there might be an issue with the fuse, so replace a new one.
VIDEO CREDITS: Cliff’s How To Channel YouTube Channel
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