[stewartdbs]

I've checked other threads, but haven't found anything related...

I have a 2011 CR-Z with 94K+ mile. I've not had any mechanical issues at all until a couple of weeks ago when the Air Conditioner started blasting hot-air. I took it to the dealer. They replaced the pressure switch, it worked for about 4-days and then the same issue returned. It seems if it's not that hot out it will work normally, but if it's really hot outside, it runs for about 8 to 10 minutes and then starts blasting hot-air again.

The last repair was covered by the extended warranty. According to the Honda Garage the next attempted fix would be to replace a wiring harness(?) and board to the tune of $2900 which for some reason would NOT be covered by the extended warranty.

Has anyone else had the same or similar issue with their A/C? There's no way I'm spending $2900 to repair AC on a car with 94K+ miles, especially when they aren't even sure if that will fix the issue.

 

[Sonic Motor]

Have you checked if it needs to be recharged? Seems really early, but a can of R134 from your local auto parts store is a lot cheaper then replacing a wiring harness. I would keep complain about that not being covered personally.

 

[kaytwozero]

Have you checked if it needs to be recharged? Seems really early, but a can of R134 from your local auto parts store is a lot cheaper then replacing a wiring harness. I would keep complain about that not being covered personally.

sounds like a case of another shady dealership. theres proof on their computer to show that your a/c wasnt working prior to warranty expiration (which btw dont those go til 100k?). their fix didnt solve the problen so its not your fault. only reason i can see them weaseling iut of warranty is to say that when a recharge is needed its a wear n tear / normal use and therefore not warrantied if thats the case listen to zach. otherwise, if they wont cover the work, dont let them do it yet and call american honda immediately to complain. also go up and up their chain of command until you reach someone to help you

 

[kaytwozero]

also you can just try another dealership too

 

[chimaera]

An intermittent problem like that is likely not a wiring harness, and $2,900 for even that sounds predatory. I would get a second opinion at an authorized Honda dealer. (You said garage so I didn't know if you meant it was one of those fly-by-night "Honda shops" or an actual dealership mechanic)

 

[stonyt10]

I kind of agree with the recharge comment. My 2007 Civic with 85k miles did this same thing and it was 4 years old at the time. I got a can of refrigerant with a gauge on it, and when I connected it the pressure was indeed low. I added a little refrigerant and it kicked right on. I had to do that every so often... sometimes in a week, sometimes not for months. It was just a weird, intermittent problem, but it wasn't a big deal after I knew what to do.

If it doesn't work, you're not out much money or effort.

BTW, prior to this I had taken the car to the dealer. They told me a rock had cracked open the condenser and they wanted like $1200 to fix it. If the condenser was cracked then the system would NOT have held pressure. They lied.

 

[Jmanb904]

If not a recharge than maybe the compressor. we experienced a similar problem in our Pilot, A bad compressor can trip the pressure switch which will render your "cool air" pointless. I can't believe it to be a wiring issue, I would have the compressor checked first. and get a second opinion...:thumbsup:

 

[stonyt10]

Yeah, it seems like a big chain of events. Low refrigerant will cause your air compressor to not kick on, too. If it's not kicking on then still check the refrigerant first.

 

[Jmanb904]

By "Check first" in my first post i meant check the compressor before the stupid wiring. I agree with refrigerant first. (to clear up any confusion that might have been caused by my first post)
Refrigerant 1
Pressure switch 2
compressor 3
ect...
Wiring +9000

 

[Ryan Hughes]

If not a recharge than maybe the compressor. we experienced a similar problem in our Pilot, A bad compressor can trip the pressure switch which will render your "cool air" pointless. I can't believe it to be a wiring issue, I would have the compressor checked first. and get a second opinion...:thumbsup:

If the issue is in wiring then wiring can be corrected by your own , no need to take stress for it.Also don't go for dealer or ac repair specialist also, do it your own and save your money.

 

[Skyshadow07]

I'm currently having this issue. AC blows cold for 8-10 minutes then turns into a blow dryer. I have recharged the AC and the pressure is holding when checking days later.

 

[Spdbump]

The clutch for the AC maybe failing or the spacing has opened up. Look for the threads about removing the shims first. If that does not resolve you can replace the Clutch separately or the compressor. There is also a relay that sometimes has issues. Either the relay itself or the wiring to it. I think one member had a failing pressure switch. All is discussed in many threads. There is a few other things people have done but those are the top 5 I remember.

I'm currently having this issue. AC blows cold for 8-10 minutes then turns into a blow dryer. I have recharged the AC and the pressure is holding when checking days later.

 

[Skyshadow07]

So before I start buying all of those things, Because I'm AC stupid so I'm just going to throw the sink at it, I have another behavior that the AC does. Maybe this can narrow down what I need. When the AC starts to blow hot, if I turn it off and keep driving down the hwy for about 5min, it will be cold again when I turn it back on.