Turning on your Honda Fit’s air conditioner on a hot day only to find out it’s not working can make your drive terrible. Since this problem has been reported by most owners, one can’t help but wonder why it happens.
But why is the Honda Fit AC not working? The air conditioner can stop working on the Honda Fit if the AC compressor has problems. Low refrigerant, caused by a hose leakage, may also be responsible. You can fix some of these problems or take your vehicle to a mechanic to get it diagnosed and fixed.
The article addresses some of the problems that the Honda Fit has, causing the air conditioning to fail. Read on to learn about these issues and various ways to diagnose them.
What Problems Cause Honda Fit AC Not to Work?
There are numerous reports on Honda Fit AC problems. Some users have reported about the air conditioning getting weak, especially on hot days, and failing to cool the car. Another issue is the air conditioning getting too noisy when it runs.
All these problems are caused by a failing part of the air conditioning system, from the filters to the condenser. The following section discusses the issues that may cause the Ac to seize working or not work as expected. Some of the problems that may be responsible for Honda fit ac problems include.
1. Low Refrigerant
The refrigerant may be low because of a leak through the O-ring seals, cracked hose, evaporator, or condenser core. However, vehicles leak over time, and if the refrigerant isn’t refilled during servicing, you can experience ac problems.
Solutions:
Most refrigerant problems are solved by refilling the ac using a compatible one. Most models from 2010 to 2017 use R134a refrigerant, while the latest ones use HFO-1234yf refrigerant. To be sure of the type you should use, consult the user’s manual.
To refill, follow the steps below
- Buy a compatible refrigerant recharge kit
- Open your vehicle’s hood
- Start the engine
- Turn ac on and set it to cold
- Set the fan speed to maximum
- Remove the cap labeled L (the low-pressure cap)
- Fit the recharge kit and refill to capacity, which should be between 400 and 450 grams
Honda Fit Ac recharge ranges between $170 and $250 depending on the service station.
2. AC Compressor Problems
The ac compressor is often responsible when the AC blows warm air and makes noises when it runs. The compressor may fail due to a lack of lubrication, overheating, electrical problems, or damaged suction lines.
Solutions:
Replacing the compressor is often not recommended to be done at home and should be left to professionals. Mainly, this is because of the risk of inhaling dangerous substances, like freon, which can cause severe symptoms.
Also, if the remaining refrigerant is mishandled it can damage the environment and the ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are among these environment-damaging refrigerants.
The mechanic will remove various parts under the vehicle’s hood to access the compressor and replace it. The replacement will cost anywhere between $1000 and $1500, labor cost included.
3. Dirty Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter removes dust particles and other substances from the air flowing into the vehicle. With time, approximately after 10,000 miles, the cabin air filters become clogged. When these filters are clogged, your Honda Fit may experience reduced cooling and sometimes poor fuel mileage.
Solutions:
While the filters can be cleaned, it’s often a better idea to replace them instead. Cleaning involves using a vacuum cleaner which only removes large particles, which doesn’t completely solve the problem.
Follow the steps below to change the cabin air filter in your Honda Fit. Ensure you buy a compatible cabin air filter, which should cost you between $9 and $15. You may end up paying more than $50 if a professional handles the replacement.
- Open the glove box and empty it
- Squeeze both sides of the glove box inwards to remove it
- Push the clips that hold the air filter in position and pull them out
- Place the new cabin air filter and ensure the airflow indicator is pointing downwards
- Install the glove box and close it
The following video shows how to replace the cabin air filter on the Honda Fit 2015-2020
4. Dirty Condenser
The condenser coil works like the radiator by releasing heat from the air conditioning refrigerant, cooling it. With time, the condenser is contaminated by dust, grime, and bugs and cannot cool the refrigerant as it passes through.
Solutions:
The dirty condenser is responsible for the issue where the air conditioner blows in hot air. Clean the dirty condenser to fix this issue. Follow the steps below;
- Open the car hood
- Remove the upper trim panel
- Remove the front bumper of your Honda Fit cautiously so as not to break it.
- Gently brush off dirt and debris from the condenser fins
- Spray a coil cleaner on the condenser and let it sit for ten minutes
- Use a power tool to pressure clean the condenser and remove the cleaner
- Let the condenser dry
- Reinstall the front bumper and the upper trim of your Honda Fit.
Fixing this problem can cost you less than $50, the cost of buying a spray coil cleaner. However, if the mechanic does it you may pay up to $100.
5. Faulty Blower Motor
The blower motor pushes the cold air through the vents and into your Honda Fit. If the blower has problems, the speed at which it pushes the air reduces. Blower motor and among the reasons the ac may take time to cool a car.
Solutions:
Most blower motor problems are related to its electricals and are usually not repairable. Therefore, the best solution is to replace it with a new one. Follow the steps below to replace a blower motor in your Honda Fit.
- Step 1: Remove the panel on the passenger side of the car by pulling it down
- Step 2: Unplug the power connector
- Step 3: Use a flat-head screwdriver or an eight-millimeter socket to remove the screws
- Step 4: Pull the blower motor out
- Step 5: Slide in the new blower motor and screw it
- Step 6: Re-install the electrical connector
- Step 7: Slide the cover back in
These repairs can cost between $450 and $600, including the replacement cost.
The following video shows how to replace a blower motor on Honda Fit
6. Ac Control Module Failure
The ac control module is used to regulate and control various functions of an air conditioning system. While it can last as long as a vehicle does, it may at times develop problems sooner.
When the control module is faulty there will be problems like improper air distribution and inconsistency when cooling.
Solutions:
You can attempt to repair your control module but repairing doesn’t always work. Instead, you should replace it with a new one. Follow the steps below to replace the control module.
- Step 1: Remove the inner glove box and passenger’s dashboard under cover
- Step 2: Remove screws and pull the center lower cover down
- Step 3: Disconnect controllers to the heater control unit
- Step 4: Loosen bolts from the driver’s dashboard side and glove box
- Step 5: Push the panel clip to release it
- Step 6: Detach the harness clips and various connectors connected to it
- Step 7: Remove the radio by fast disconnecting the antenna connector and mounting screws. Remember to also remove its knobs.
- Step 8: Remove dials from the climate control and its self-tapping screws
- Step 9: Pull the unit out and replace it with the new one
- Step 10: Reinstall everything you pulled out carefully not to forget anything.
Consult the Honda Fit manual for more guidance. Also, this repair may require a little knowledge of the car and its part, so you can opt for a mechanic to do it. You can expect to pay between $60 and $150 to buy the unit and $50 to $100 for a replacement
How to Diagnose Honda Fit AC Not Working Problems
You can diagnose your Honda Fit AC problems to narrow down the problem. If you’re unsure what to look or listen for, you can take the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis.
- Turn on the vehicle AC in a quiet place to listen to whether the AC compressor turns on or not. A click in the system means that it engages.
- Inject fluorescent dye into the AC system to diagnose the refrigerant leak. If there is a leak, the dye will shine when placed under UV light.
- Odor in the car when AC turns on shows a possibility of a dirty air filter. However, a sweet scent usually means the refrigerant is leaking.
Related Questions
Following are some of the frequently asked questions related to Honda Fit AC not working.
When Honda Fit’s air conditioner is faulty, it can negatively affect the gas mileage. The compressor is usually connected to the engine and can put more pressure on it if it fails.
Atmospheric temperature affects the refrigerant’s temperature and pressure. When temperature and pressure increase, the cooling performance reduces, and the AC may blow warm air.
Most Honda fit air conditioning repairs can be done within hours. However, some repairs can take more than a day depending on part availability and the type of repair.
Final Words
Air conditioning problems are among the most inconvenient ones as they interfere with the occupants’ comfort. Honda Fit is known to have these issues, reported in most year models across the generations.
Some of these problems that cause the Honda Fit AC not to work include a clogged cabin filter and low refrigerant. Most of these issues can be solved at home by following the provided steps, but some require a professional.