Honda A/C Not Working - Help!

Car A/C problems are not uncommon, especially if the car has not been serviced regularly. Most of the time, the problem can be identified and fixed at home. Discover the issues that might be plaguing your A/C and what you can do about it.

Common Problems

Here are some of the most common problems with the Honda A/C system.

Issue: There are leaks of anti-freeze inside the car, which causes the cooling system to work in an inefficient manner.

The car's radiator holds most of the anti-freeze coolant needed to power the A/C, with roughly 1/3 coming from the bottom of the engine block. If this is leaking, it is most likely at the hose connection points at the radiator's top or bottom.

Other times the leaks are due to seal failures on the water pump or the engine block. Fixing the leak will get your A/C back to its usual standard. Leaks often result from equipment that is either overused or of poor quality. Ensure that you get proper service checks for your car, and only buy equipment that is authorized by a Honda dealership.

Issue: The car's engine is either too cold or it is overheating.

If the engine is overheating or staying too cold, this is because of improper air circulation within the car. If the engine is too cold, this means your car's thermostat stopped working. If the engine is overheating, there is a problem with the water pump.

Issue: The car's heat system does not work. When the heat button is turned on, the car either emits fan temperature air or cold air.

What to do:

If you are facing a problem with the car's heat system, it likely means that there is something wrong with the heater's core or the cooling system. Most common heat system problems involve the valve that must be opened whenever you select heat from the A/C's panel. If this valve is stuck or broken, the car may not know you are requesting hot air.

It is also possible that the heater core is broken. If the damage is minimal, it may be possible to get it repaired. However, major problems to the heater core often mean that it needs to be replaced.

These are the most common problems related to the Honda A/C system. Most of the problems require minimal work to fix, but other issues could involve part replacement. Other times, you will have to seek the assistance of a professional mechanic to diagnose and repair the issue.