![Honda Civic Ac Not Working When Hot? [ Reasons & Ways To Fix ]](https://myvehicletalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/car-ac-720x405.jpg)
Although it seems counterintuitive, it is normal for an AC to freeze up exactly when you need it most—in mid-summer heat. Cooling your house with an air conditioner is accomplished via heat transfer. Because of the refrigerant coil’s regular removal of warm air from the interior of your home, you will notice a noticeable drop in your energy bill.
Afterward, the coil dissipates the heat it has just received and returns inside to collect additional heat. However, if a coil freezes, something is wrong.
The same goes for the air conditioning system of a car. The air conditioning is a godsend, particularly in hot climates.
Does driving your Honda Civic still make you sweat? Have you noticed that your air conditioner is not keeping you cool anymore? It might have various reasons. This article explains what they are and what you can do about them.
Honda Civic AC Not Working When Hot? Know The Reasons
A dirty cabin air filter, refrigerant leak, dirty or clogged condenser or evaporator, bad blower motor, defective compressor, faulty blend door actuator, or any fault in the electrical system are the most common reasons why your Honda Civic’s air conditioning system is not working correctly.
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Let’s know more:
1. Dirt-filled cabin air filter
It is a significant part of your Honda Civic’s ventilation system. The pollen filter is also known as a cabin filter or microfilter. Having a filthy filter can decrease cooling, heating, and air movement throughout the vehicles. As a result, your Civic’s AC system has to overwork, which increases your vehicle’s overall fuel usage.
After 10,000 to 20,000 miles, most car manufacturers suggest replacing the cabin air filter. Filters may get clogged considerably more quickly than recommended by the manufacturer if you drive your vehicle in a dusty or polluted climate.
2. An obstructed or filthy condenser
The Honda Civic’s air conditioning condenser is located at the front of the car and is responsible for dissipating the heat from the refrigerant into the surrounding air, much like the radiator.
Grime, bugs, and other microscopic particles may accumulate on the mesh’s surface and in the spaces between the strands. It can happen over time. Consequently, the condenser’s capacity to dissipate heat gets hampered, and the device’s interior suffers.
Your Civic’s air conditioning may malfunction due to a clogged or leaky condenser. Refrigerant is lost when the condenser leaks, resulting in decreased cooling capacity.
A leak search utilizing forming gas is carried out in the workplace to locate air conditioning system leaks, even if you found the tiniest ones. The loss of refrigerant is due to a condenser malfunction. There is no other alternative than to replace the damaged component in this situation.
3. A Refrigeration Leak
Refrigerant deficiency is still the primary cause of a non-functioning air conditioning system. The design allows for a loss of up to 15% of the refrigerant every year.
Eventually, the refrigerant level in your Civic’s system will drop so low that it will no longer be able to cool your car. It is as simple as having it refilled so that you can go back on the road in comfort. If the refrigerant level drops fast again, there is likely a leak in the system.
Refrigerant gas from a Honda Civic often leaks due to regular wear and tear and component problems. Defective seals, worn lines, or condensers with stone chip damage are the most prevalent culprits.
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4. Dirty condenser
The evaporator of your Honda Civic may potentially be clogged, resulting in a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Despite the cabin air filter’s best efforts, some dirt or other airborne particles fall onto the evaporator and get lodged there. When dust accumulates on the evaporator’s fins, it reduces the amount of air passing through, reducing cooling efficiency.
5. Faulty compressor
The compressor is the most vital component in the Honda Civic’s air conditioning system. You can accomplish vehicle cooling by using mechanical components that turn a gaseous coolant into a liquid.
In most cases, you cannot repair a faulty compressor. If you turn on the air conditioner, the air particles can move in the atmosphere. A Civic’s air conditioning system might get stuck if not used for a lengthy period. There is no longer any way to fix the damaged compressor.
However, when the AC compressor “eats” itself due to inadequate lubrication or a manufacturing fault, metal chips accumulate and spread throughout the Civic’s AC system, resulting in catastrophic failure. The compressor replacement will not work as the damaged chips will affect the newer ones, leading to another failure.
6. A faulty blower motor
Your Honda Civic’s blower motor may be to blame if the airflow from the vents is either nonexistent or significantly decreased. When a blower motor is worn out or weak, it may also make strange noises.
7. Blend door actuator malfunction
You can manage your Civic’s airflow and temperature with the help of its blend door actuator. When the air conditioning system’s temperature fluctuates, the blend door actuator is responsible.
On Honda Civics, the most typical sign of a bad blend door actuator is a clicking noise coming from beneath the dashboard. The sound will be more noticeable when you turn on the air conditioner or lower the thermostat.
Even though it is unusual, a banging noise coming from your Civic might indicate a faulty blend door actuator. When you switch on the air conditioning or shut off the engine, you hear a light tapping on the door.
Do Honda Civics have AC problems?
Previously, Honda was the target of a class-action lawsuit for the same air conditioning fault discovered in Odyssey vehicles from 2005 to 2007. On the other hand, Honda did not attempt to warn prospective owners or renters about the Civic’s notoriously faulty air conditioning system.
How much does it cost to fix the AC in a Honda Civic?
A Honda Civic Car AC Repair costs $249, including $116 in components and $133 in labor. Prices may alter as per your location. Refrigerant is a gas or liquid substance necessary for an AC system to function (R-12 in older cars, R-134a in 1995, and newer cars).
Seals in the air conditioning system might fail over time, allowing refrigerant to escape. The AC will not produce chilled air if it lacks sufficient refrigerant.
You can determine if the AC system needs a recharge if it does not blast cold air out of the vents because the system gets shut down. The air conditioning system uses both forms of refrigerants.
It is not possible to swap these out. You can use R12 refrigerants in older vehicles or a new system. Use R134a in the air conditioning system of cars manufactured after 1995.
Refrigerant leaks are prevalent. Maybe it is time to bring in the mechanic if the AC does not cool down to your liking. Problems with the AC system might be due to a lack of chilly air.
Your car’s worth increases due to an air conditioning system running at maximum capacity. To attain the required temperature, hot and cold air is mixed in various systems. As a result of a malfunctioning AC system, the temperature system might be out of control.
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How to Fix Honda Civic AC Not Working?
Let us now check out the ways to fix Honda Civic AC.
- Check the condition of your Civic’s cabin air filter first. We will suggest cleaning the pollen filter first before replacing it.
- If your Civic’s condenser is clogged, all you need to do is clean it. To get to the condenser, you often remove the front bumper. You may clean the condenser using a power washer, but do it with moderate pressure to avoid damaging the delicate fins.
- Detecting even the tiniest of leaks can be a challenge. The system is full of nitrogen and hydrogen. You might have already observed large leaks, or you may use a leak detecting spray to discover them. You should search all components using a gas detector to locate smaller holes. As soon as you discover the leak, you must repair or replace it with an appropriate component.
- There is no easy way to clean the Civic’s Evaporator. To get to the evaporator, you have to remove the whole dashboard. As a result, conducting this activity during a workshop is highly suggested. If the evaporator has a refrigerant leak, you need to replace it.
- In most cases, you cannot repair a faulty compressor. To fix it, simply replacing the compressor will not help. You have to completely replace the chips so that they cannot damage the new ones. You must replace the complete air conditioning system in this situation. There is a limit to how many metal pipes you can clean here.
- You cannot repair the damaged blower motor. You must replace it with a new component. When the blower motor suddenly stops working for no apparent reason, check to see if a blown fuse is to blame.
- When a blend door actuator malfunctions, you will hear a constant noise coming from the dashboard. You can temporarily decrease the sound by adjusting the temperature.
Wrapping it up
Your Honda Civic’s air conditioning system may be malfunctioning. It is usually best to start by checking for the most apparent cause, like low refrigerant levels in the system. If there is a problem, the technician may begin the repair right away.
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