Honda Pilot AC Not Working – Causes & Troubleshooting Guide

If your Honda Pilot AC system has quit working, your vehicle will no longer feel comfortable driving on hot days and it could be even dangerous. For this reason, you want to find out why your AC isn’t working and resolve the issue as soon as possible to make it functional again.

Honda Pilot AC not working can be caused by a variety of issues listed below:

• Bad fuse or relay
• Faulty compressor
• Low refrigerant level/ Refrigerant leak
• Bad blower motor
• Clogged cabin air filter
• Faulty blend door actuator
• Defective AC condenser fan
• Dirty condenser
• Dirty evaporator

This article will take a closer look at all the above potential causes behind your Honda Pilot air conditioner and how to troubleshoot and fix each of them. We’ll also discuss common Honda pilot AC issues such as AC not blowing air at all, not blowing cool air, and so on.

Why your Honda Pilot AC is not working

If your Honda Pilot air conditioning stops working, the most likely reasons behind this problem include:

Faulty compressor

The AC compressor going bad is one of the potential causes for your air condition to malfunction.

This component pushes the refrigerator throughout your AC system, enabling it to cool air through the vents in your car.

However, this part is prone to failure due to issues such as low lubrication on its moving parts.

It may also overheat and get damaged if other parts of your AC system such as the condenser and valves get clogged.

The faulty compressor will most likely make your vehicle’s AC system take time to cool your car interior.

Solution: If your AC compressor fails, there’s no better fix than to replace it since it cannot be repaired.

The replacement task should be done by professionals as it involves removing various parts in your vehicle to access it.

If you do it yourself, you may end up damaging some other parts of your car, creating more problems than you already have in your car.

Note that most experienced auto technicians always recommend changing the condenser as well when replacing your AC compressor.

This is because metal pieces from a defective compressor may have flowed to your condenser and they may damage it as well if not replaced.

Bad fuse or relay

The relay and fuses related to your vehicle air conditioning system may affect the proper functioning of this system.

A blown fuse will not be able to control electrical current flow to your Honda Pilot AC system thus causing it not to work properly.

Also, a bad relay will not be able to facilitate signal transfer in your AC system, further causing issues with your air conditioning system.

Solution: Check the fuse that controls your AC system. If you find this fuse is blown, replace it with a new one having the same amperage as the old one to see if it resolves the AC issues.

However, note that a blown fuse may indicate deeper problems with your AC system, so you’d want to take your car in to have it checked for the root cause of the fuse blowing.

Also, locate the AC relay position and try swapping it with a relay that serves another function.

If your AC starts working, then you’ve just found your culprit and you’ll need to replace the bad relay.

Low refrigerant level

Your Ac system refrigerant levels falling too low will also make your air conditioning malfunction.

Mind you, low refrigerant is responsible for most of the Honda Pilot AC issues. It affects both new and old models.

The refrigerant runs throughout your AC system as it absorbs heat and releases cold air to help bring about a cooling effect inside your car.

The refrigerant can get low over time due to leaks in the hose, O-rings, and other areas. That’s why it’s advisable to recharge your AC system after every few years.

Solution: Check if your Honda Pilot refrigerant levels are low and refill it as necessary (but avoid overcharging it as this can also create issues in your system).

If you have never recharged your AC system, here are the simple steps to follow:

Step 1. Open your vehicle hood

Step 2. Locate the low-pressure (labeled L on the cap) AC system port

Step 3. Turn on your car and let it run for some time.

Step 4. Now add the refrigerant through the L port in Step 3.

Step5. Place the cap back on and you’re done!

Refrigerant leak

If you have an issue where the AC won’t blow hot in your Honda Pilot all the time, then you’re most probably dealing with a leaking refrigerant.

Solution: The best fix here is to fix the leak and recharge your AC system. However, finding the leak may not be an easy task.

Therefore, we recommend taking your vehicle to a qualified mechanic to diagnose and fix any leaks in your AC system.

Bad blower motor

Your Honda Pilot AC system has a blower motor tasked with pushing air through air vents and into your vehicle. This motor matches the speed you set it at, so it may run slow or fast.

However, this motor may become worn out or stop working due to various issues including normal wear and old age.

Solution: A bad blower motor can’t be repaired, so the best fix here is to replace it with a new one. The replacement process is straightforward and you can do it on your own with the right guidelines.

Watch the video below on how to replace the blower motor in your Honda Pilot AC system

Video:

Clogged cabin air filter

The work of a cabin air filter is to trap dust and allergens and thus ensure you breathe healthy air while inside your vehicle.

However, this filter can become dirty over time and may be unable to ventilate properly. This results in poor airflow, cooling, and heating in your car.

Solution: Inspect your cabin air filter. If it looks dirty, consider cleaning it first to see if its performance will improve.

You can use a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air system for the cleanup process. However, cleaning does not help much, so eventually you’ll need to replace your air filter with a new one.

To prevent problems with your cabin air filter, we advise you to change it every 10,000 to 20,000 (or as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer) to keep it in good working condition.

Faulty blend door actuator

The blend door actuator controls the temperature and airflow inside your Honda Pilot.

If you are experiencing issues with either of these, whether it’s inconsistent airflow or temperature, a faulty blend door actuator could be the culprit.

A common symptom of a faulty blend door actuator is a clicking sound coming from under your vehicle dash.

This may become more prominent as you turn on your AC system or change the temperature. You may also hear a knocking sound (like someone tapping the door).

Solution: A defective blend door actuator cannot be repaired, so you’ll need to replace it with a new one.

The replacement process is also a complex one as it also involves re-calibration of the system. As such, you should let a professional do it for you.

Defective AC condenser fan

A malfunctioning condenser fan may also cause your AC system to stop working. The function of this fan is to blow fresh air over your condenser to help dissipate heat.

However, if the air moving over it slows down, the fan will be unable to perform optimally.

If your AC system blows colder, especially when you are driving on the highway (where more air flows through the condenser), then you may be having a defective condenser fan.

Solution: A condenser fan may stop working due to a blown fuse or a wiring harness issue. A bad condenser fan motor may also make the fan stop working. Check these parts and have them repaired or replaced as necessary.

Dirty condenser

Dirt, grime, bugs, etc. tend to accumulate in your AC condenser over time. Unfortunately, these end up clogging the condenser and restricting its ability to release heat into the ambient air. This affects the AC system’s ability to cool the inside of your vehicle.

Solution: You should consider cleaning your condenser mesh using a low-pressure washer. However, note that you’ll first need to get out the front bumper to be able to access this part.

If your condenser is leaking or clogged, consider having it checked by a professional mechanic for inspection and performance of the necessary repairs and replacements.

Dirty evaporator

Sometimes, dirt and debris will also easily pass through the cabin air filter and get onto your evaporator.

Over time, the dirt will build up on the evaporator, leading to blockage of airflow through the evaporator. Your AC system will lose its efficiency as a result.

Solution: A cleanup of the evaporator is necessary to see if its performance will improve.

However, this part may be challenging to access, so we recommend taking your Honda Pilot to a certified mechanic to clean it for you.

If your Honda Pilot is giving you AC troubles, it’s important to consider similar issues that might impact other Honda models as well. AC problems can also manifest in vehicles like the Honda CR-V, along with other specific concerns like the Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem. Our articles on Honda CR-V AC not working and Honda CR-V electric parking brake problem provide valuable insights into diagnosing and resolving AC and parking brake issues specific to these vehicles. Understanding the possible causes of AC cooling issues or parking brake malfunctions can help you take the necessary steps for effective solutions.

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Conclusion

If your Honda Pilot is experiencing AC issues, the most common factors likely to cause this problem include a bad fuse or relay, faulty compressor, low refrigerant levels or refrigerant leak, bad blower motor, clogged air cabin filter, faulty blend door actuator, defective cooling fan, dirty condenser, or a dirty evaporator.

Follow the troubleshooting tips we have discussed above to help you diagnose your AC system and fix the underlying issues. Note that some of the AC fixes are complex and may require the attention of a professional mechanic. Timely maintenance of your AC system will help prevent most of these issues and keep it running optimally at all times.