Honda CRV AC Not Working (Potential Causes And Solutions)
Did your Honda CRV AC suddenly stop blowing cold air? If yes, you could be frustrated and at the same time confused about what to do to make your AC system work again. Our guide below will share with you helpful details on why your AC is malfunctioning and what you can do to find the culprit and fix it.
Honda CRV AC not working can be caused by any of the following issues:
- Low refrigerant levels/Refrigerant leaks
- Faulty compressor
- Clogged cabin air filter
- Electrical issues
- Blocked condenser
- Dirty evaporator
- Malfunctioning blower motor
- Clogged expansion valve
- Faulty blend door actuator
Below, you’ll discover full details about each of the above potential causes of air conditioning not working in your Honda CR-V. We’ll also share tips on how to fix each of these problems so that you can revive your AC and get it to supply you with cool air again in your car.
Why is your Honda CRV AC not working?
If your Honda CRV air conditioning stops working, the most likely culprits to consider include:
Low refrigerant levels
One of the most common causes of a malfunctioning air conditioning system in your Honda CR-V is low refrigerant levels. This substance is responsible for absorbing and releasing heat in your vehicle.
When the levels drop too low, your AC system will be unable to remove heat from your cabin efficiently, causing warm air to blow in the vents. In other words, your AC system won’t be able to provide cool air in your car.
The most common cause for low refrigerant levels is a gradual leak that happens over time or failing to recharge your system on time.
Solution: To address refrigerant issues, you’ll need to check the levels of refrigerant in your AC system using a refrigerant manifold gauge to check the refrigerant pressure. If it reads low pressure, then you’ll need to recharge your system.
You should also have a qualified Honda technician inspect your AC system for the presence of leaks and fix them on time before they can cause further damage.
After the leaks are fixed, you’ll need to recharge your system with the appropriate refrigerant levels to restore your AC’s proper cooling performance.
Here’s a video show you how to refill your Honda CRV AC refrigerant the right way:
Video:
Refrigerant leaks
As we have just said above, a leak can cause refrigerant levels to drop too low to a point it affects your AC cooling performance.
The leaks may occur at various parts of your AC system including the components, connections, hoses, etc. These will cause the refrigerant to escape, resulting in reduced cooling performance. And your system may eventually stop working!
Solution: Detecting a leak in your AC system isn’t easy. Therefore, it should be done by professionals who use specialized equipment to detect the location of a leak and its extent.
The professional will then go ahead and perform the necessary repairs/replacement of affected parts. Afterward, you‘ll need to recharge your AC system with the refrigerant to the recommended levels.
Faulty compressor
The compressor is a common problem in Honda CR-V and directly affects the air condoning system.
This part is a crucial component of your AC system responsible for compressing the refrigerant and circulating it throughout the system.
If the compressor becomes faulty, it won’t be able to perform this important task—resulting in no cooling effect in your vehicle.
Solution: To diagnose a faulty compressor, a professional will need to check if the compressor clutches engage when you turn on the AC. If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to replace your compressor with a new one.
Dirty cabin air filter
A dirty cabin air filter will not only affect the cooling performance of your AC system but also the air quality inside your vehicle.
The air filter traps pollen, dust, and other unwanted pollutants in the air entering your car through the AC vents.
However, it’s common for this filter to become clogged with dirt and debris over time. This restricts the airflow inside your cabin, which directly affects the system’s cooling efficiency.
A clogged cabin air filter also puts a strain on your AC system and this causes poor fuel economy in your car.
Solution: We don’t advise you to first consider cleaning your air filter to see if your AC performance will improve. You can use a compressed air system or vacuum cleaner for the best cleaning results.
However, you’ll need to replace the air filter to ensure optimal AC performance.
Following the manufacturer’s recommended advice on cabin air filter change (usually after every 10,000 to 20,000 miles) will help prevent your filter from getting clogged and affecting the AC performance in the first place.
Electrical issues
Various electrical issues may also arise and interfere with the proper functioning of your Honda CR-V AC system. These issues can range from a blown fuse or a bad relay to faulty sensors or even wrong connections.
When the electrical components related to the AC malfunction, they disrupt power flow to the system. This results in no cooling effect or intermittent cooling performance.
Solution: To diagnose electrical problems, you’ll need to get a qualified technician to thoroughly inspect the electrical components and test them for proper functionality.
Any faulty components ought to be repaired or replaced to restore the normal functioning of your AC system.
This helpful video shows the Honda CR-V AC fuses and relays location for easy troubleshooting:
Video:
Blocked or leaking condenser
Your AC system has a condenser that releases heat from the refrigerant into the ambient air. The position of the condenser at the front of your vehicle makes it a culprit to the accumulation of dirt, debris, ice, bugs, etc. with time.
These undesired items can easily block the condenser and hinder its ability to release heat into the air as only less air can pass through the mesh. The result is a poor cooling performance of your vehicle interior.
In some instances, the condenser could also be leaking the refrigerant. This may make the levels go down and thus affect the AC system cooling capacity.
Solution: Inspect your AC condenser. If it looks dirty, you’ll need to clean it. However, you’ll first need to remove your vehicle from the bumper to access it).
We recommend using a pressure wash set at low pressure for proper cleaning without harming the condenser’s delicate fins.
If you suspect your AC condenser is leaking, have it checked by a professional for leaks and the broken part replaced to stop the refrigerant from leaking.
Dirty evaporator
A dirty evaporator will also cause your Honda CR-V air conditioner to malfunction. Some of the dust and other airborne particles that escape from the cabin air filter usually land on the evaporator.
If these particles accumulate over time, they’ll easily blow airflow through your evaporator and the result is a poor cooling effect. The AC will struggle to cool air inside your car properly or even blow warm air.
Solution: You can address a dirty evaporator issue by cleaning it thoroughly. However, the cleanup process isn’t an easy task as it involves removing the entire dash to access this part.
Therefore, we advise you to get a qualified technician to carefully remove it from its dash, clean it, and then put it back in its place.
Malfunctioning blower motor
The blower motor pushes air through your AC system and into your vehicle cabin. However, if it starts malfunctioning, it will cause poor airflow and the AC cooling performance will deteriorate.
One way the motor can malfunction is by becoming sluggish or not spinning fast enough. This could be caused by a resistor/control module or internal defect.
A bad defective motor tends to produce strange noises during operation and the vehicle occupants will notice a signal reduction in airflow.
In some cases, the blower motor could become dirty which also affects its performance.
Despite the cabin airlifter trapping most of the dust, and other airborne particles, some of them easily escape and land on the blower cage fins.
Over time, these particles accumulate on the fins, reducing airflow and the AC’s overall cooling efficiency.
This may lead to unusual noises from under your vehicle dash while at the same time straining the motor—further affecting the AC performance.
Solution: Inspect your blower motor for signs of damage or malfunction and replace it if necessary to restore proper airflow in your car.
If the motor looks dirty, simply lean it with a brush. Note that the blower motor usually sits under your vehicle’s dash on the passenger’s side.
Clogged expansion Valve
Your CRV air conditioning system could be either equipped with an expansion valve or orifice tube, depending on the model.
These two components usually have the same function—they reduce refrigerant pressure and flow before it enters the evaporator coil.
Unfortunately, the two can be easily clogged due to contamination, e.g. due to metal shavings from a compressor that’s falling apart.
Solution: In case your expansion valve or orifice tube is clogged, you’ll need to have it inspected and cleaned by a professional. They may also recommend a replacement.
If the AC system is contaminated, have the entire system flushed by a certified mechanic to get rid of all the contaminants present. This ensures they don’t cause damage to other parts of your AC system.
Faulty blend door actuator
The blend door actuator is an essential part of your AC system responsible for controlling temperature and airflow inside your vehicle.
Therefore, if you are having issues with any of these, then you probably have a bad blend door actuator.
You can easily tell if you have a faulty blend door actuator by looking for key symptoms such as clicking sounds under the dash.
The sound may become prominent when you turn on your AC system or simply adjust the temperature. You may also hear a knocking sound, similar to that of someone tapping on the door.
Solution: Once a blend door actuator becomes defective, it can’t be repaired. So, the best thing here is to replace it with a new one.
The replacement is also a bit complex as it involves recalibrating the new actuator. Therefore, you should let a qualified Honda technician do it.
If you’re experiencing AC issues in your Honda CR-V, you’re not alone. Similar problems can also arise in other Honda models, like the Honda Accord, and there might be other specific concerns like the Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem. Our articles on Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem and Honda Accord AC not working provide valuable insights into diagnosing and addressing AC and parking brake-related issues specific to these vehicles. Understanding common AC problems such as cooling inefficiency or parking brake malfunctions can help you navigate these challenges effectively.Conclusion
When faced with a malfunctioning air conditioning system in your Honda CR-V, identifying the potential culprits will help you restore your system’s proper functionality. The key culprits to consider include low refrigerant levels, faulty compressor, low refrigerant levels, dirty air cabin filter, blocked condenser or evaporator, bad blower motor, faulty blend door actuator, or electrical issues.
With our troubleshooting guide above, you should be able to diagnose your AC system and even fix some of these potential causes on your own. However, some issues are more complex and require the attention of professionals. Remember, regular maintenance of your AC will keep away most of these issues and keep your system in good working condition at all times.