The Honda Accord is one of the most recognizable cars out on the road today. They are durable, stylish sedans that are great for commuting and vacationing. However, it can be hard to enjoy this great vehicle if its AC, heater, or climate control system isn’t working.
If your Honda Accord’s AC, heater, and/or climate control panel is not working, there are several issues you could be having with your vehicle, from blown fuses to leaking fluids.
Without these critical systems, driving a Honda Accord can quickly become uncomfortable, especially in extreme weather conditions. Below, we’ll cover the reasons why your car’s AC, heater, or climate control systems aren’t working and what you can do to fix the issue.
Honda Accord AC Control Panel Not Working
Honda Accords are known for being a well-worn car that can last a long time on the road. Part of the reason they can stay out on the road so long is their durability and functionality. But, there are times when their parts will begin to falter and break down.
In some older Honda Accords, the AC control panel can falter. In these cases, the AC turns on, and the fans blow air, but it can be uncomfortably warm air. Simultaneously, the lights on the control panel will not turn on.
Chances are the AC control panel isn’t working because of a blown fuse, particularly the #13 7.5 amp fuse. Check out your car’s fuse to determine whether it needs replacement.
Honda Accord Climate Control Not Working
If your Honda Accord’s climate control panel or panel lights are having issues, the main causes can usually be traced back to one thing: a faulty circuit. The circuit inside a Honda Accord will be the main source of where the panel draws its power from.
It also is going to be where the panel actually receives the code to operate. When the operator pushes a button or turns a knob on the control panel, the circuit behind the panel will receive a code that corresponds to whichever button or knob was used. This, in turn, sends a signal across wires to an interior circuit board that works the correct operation.
If the circuit has issues receiving the signal because of a faulty wire or damaged circuit board, then the piece that is not functioning will need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, unless you have special soldering skills, you will have to go to a mechanic to get this problem fixed. The good news is, though, that this problem will not set you back more than a few hundred dollars.
Honda Accord AC Compressor Not Getting Power/Turning On
The AC compressor in a car is an essential part of the vehicle’s AC unit to function at peak levels.
If a compressor is not getting power, there are usually a couple of warning signs to look out for:
- If there is coolant leaking from the vehicle, there may be a hole or crack in the compressor.
- If the air blowing from the AC system is not blowing as strongly as previously, this can be a sign that the compressor is faulty and might need to be replaced.
If the compressor is not turning on at all, then you will need to take these steps:
- Ensure that all of the connections are stable and secure going into and out of the compressor.
- Next, ensure that there is plenty of coolant in the vehicle for the compressor to draw from.
- A final check would be to see if there are any leaks, cracks, rust, etc.
To fix a compressor, simply replacing the malfunctioning part is going to be the best option. While this might be a little costly, fixing the compressor will be essential if you want to continue to use the vehicle comfortably.
You can find compressors at any local auto shop or online, which can save some money in the long run if you’re able to replace the part yourself.
Honda Accord AC Blower/Fan Not Working
One of the most important pieces to the Honda Accord’s AC/heating system is the AC blower/fan. When the AC blower/fan does not work, the vents that usually blow out the cool AC air and the warm heated air will not have any air going through them.
Fortunately, there are several things that you can check to hopefully eliminate any huge potential costs.
- Ensure all wiring going to the blower/fan is properly connected and without frays or tears. You should also check the fuses, which can create a similar problem.
- Check the blower motor. Try unplugging it and plugging it into an independent power source (12v) outside of the vehicle to ensure the motor still functions. If it runs, the issue may be electrical rather than the motor itself.
- Check the blower transistor. A faulty blower transistor will result in little to no air coming out of the vents or the air being stuck on one setting (i.e., low, medium, or high) and unable to change despite adjusting the control panel’s knobs. If needed, replacing the blower transistor is fairly inexpensive—under $100.
Honda Accord AC Clutch Not Engaging
When the AC clutch is not engaging in a Honda Accord, this can lead to the AC system’s complete failure.
There are three main signs of a bad AC clutch:
- The compressor clutch will not engage
- The clutch screeches
- The AC is blowing warm air
To fix this issue, the most common solution would be to check the clutch fuse, which is almost always going to be the problem.
You can also check the AC clutch coils, which can overheat occasionally. Additionally, the clutch plate and pulley make up the other two parts of the entire AC clutch system; these two parts generally do not get faulty, but they are worth checking out to ensure no damage has been done to them.
Note: If you are attempting to fix the AC clutch yourself, there are a couple of spots you can look for it, depending on the age of your Honda Accord. In older Honda Accords, the AC clutch is connected to the AC fuse through different wirings. In newer cars, however, the AC clutch is connected via a computer.
Honda Accord AC Not Working on One Side
Having the AC not work on certain sides of the vehicle and/or stop completely can be a sign of several things that could be wrong:
- Be sure nothing is blocking the vents on the inside of the vehicle (while uncommon, it can easily explain no AC function on one side of the car).
- Check the refrigerant levels in the vehicle. Having low levels can lead to the declining performance of your AC until it eventually doesn’t function at all. If leaks are present in the vehicle, you may not be aware of the lowering levels, which can be frustrating if you consistently fill the refrigerant.
- Check the air expansion valve. This part rarely has issues, but it can be easily replaced and quickly solves the issue if needed.
- Check the blend door actuator. This part is located in the vehicle’s HVAC area and controls the air temperature and volume of air flowing into the vehicle’s vents. It can also determine which vents the air flows to; therefore, it is a good component to check out for malfunctioning if only one side of your car is getting air.
Honda Accord Fan Stays On
Having the AC fan stay on after turning off your Honda Accord is not necessarily cause for alarm. Typically, it may run for a little longer after turning off the vehicle. However, if the fan happens to run for 10 minutes or more afterward, then there might be an issue at hand.
There are two common culprits for this issue, both of which are temperature sensors. These sensors measure your engine’s coolant temperature, which can be an indicator of your system running hot. If either of the sensors is not working, then there is potential for the fan to stay on; this is because the sensors might be reading the wrong temperature.
- Fan switch: The fan switch is normally supposed to be in the “on” position when the key in the ignition is also in the “on” position. But, if there is a fault with the switch, then the fan may stay on as the switch might read that the ignition is “on.”
- Fan timer module: The fan timer module will usually be located on the driver’s side footwell. (In newer Honda Accords, the module will be on the passenger’s side near the glovebox.) If the fan timer module is broken, it can read that the car is still on when it might not be, or vice versa. This can lead to the fan continuing to remain on even after the car has been turned off.
In either case, simply replacing the malfunctioning part should do the trick to resolve the fan’s issue. Each of these repairs should not be too costly, with the parts running anywhere from $30-50. If you bring it to a shop, you will probably have to factor in another $100 in parts and labor to the total.
Honda Accord AC/Heater Won’t Turn On/Off
Another tricky situation is when the Honda Accord’s AC or heater turns on but does not turn off. While it could be a blessing in some cases, in others, it can be the first sign of a problem that could grow larger if not dealt with immediately.
Unlike the previous two issues, an AC/heater not turning off will most likely result from a relay problem.
In cars, relays are electro-mechanically operated switches that can make or break an electric circuit. When the switch is turned on or off, the relay tells the circuit to follow the appropriate function. An electric current runs along wires from the circuit to the relay, which either turns the function on or off, depending on how it was set up.
Your Honda Accord’s AC/heater may not be turning on or off due to issues with the relay. Fortunately, repairing the car’s relay can be an inexpensive and quick fix that you can take on yourself rather than go to a mechanic.
Honda Accord Seat Heater Not Working
Having a seat heater is one of the ultimate luxuries for any car owner. However, there may be times when the seat heater stops functioning.
The most common cause of the seat warmer not working would be a faulty seat heater element. The seat heater element is the piece underneath the seat cover that converts electricity into heat, thus warming it. They are supposed to last the vehicle’s lifetime, but excessive wear-and-tear of the seat can shorten the lifespan.
Other issues that can contribute to a malfunctioning seat heater include:
- Faulty switches
- Corroded electrical connection
- A blown fuse
Each of these issues can be found and fixed by specialized technicians. Although the seat heater element itself will most likely be the issue, a technician can also check its wiring and related fuses to rule out these other causes.
Whether you’ll need to replace the entire seat heater depends on what part of the component is broken or malfunctioning:
- If it is the seat heater element as a whole, a technician will need to strip the seat, remove the matrix of wires attached to the inside of the seat, and install the new seat heater element.
- Other issues simply only require new wires or a new fuse that takes significantly less time and effort to replace.
Honda Accord Heater Control Not Working
Perhaps the next worse thing to not having any heat working in the car during the wintertime is when the heater control does not work. This can lead to too little or too much heat being pumped into the car, which can be uncomfortable.
If the heater control is not working in your Honda Accord, the module’s wiring and/or harness might need to be re-soldered. This should be done by experts only as soldering can result in serious injuries if not done properly. The wiring might also need to be completely replaced.
Another issue that may result in your vehicle’s heater control system not working might be a malfunctioning pilot’s blower motor resistor.
It could also be a blown fuse, which can cause the climate control system to stop working completely. The fuse to check would be #30 to diagnose any AC or heater issues.
Honda Accord Not Blowing Hot Air
There are several reasons why your heater may not be blowing hot air:
Broken Heater Blower Motor
Located in the HVAC area behind the glove box, the blower motor blows air across either the hot heater core or the cool evaporator, depending on whether the AC or heat is turned on in the car.
If there is an issue with the heater blower motor, you may notice a significant reduction in the amount of hot air being blown through the car’s vents. You may also hear a grinding or rattling noise, which can indicate broken or faulty blades.
Problem with the Thermostat
The thermostat is a valve that helps control the engine’s temperature. When the engine is cold, the thermostat stays closed, but when the engine gets too hot, the thermostat opens up and allows coolant to flow across the engine to prevent overheating.
Copyright protected article by Know My Auto and was first published on Apr 2, 2021. .
A bad thermostat will either be stuck open or closed. If it is stuck open, the air flowing in the car might remain cold, even if the heat is turned on. If it is stuck closed, the engine might run hot and overheat faster.
A Failed Heater Blower Resistor
The last potential culprit is the heater blower motor resistor, located in the HVAC area behind the glove box. It is a component that controls the speed at which the fan operates, thus controlling how much air goes in and out of the car.
If the heater blower resistor is broken, it will have no gauge of how much air has been blown in the car. In some cases, this can mean there will be an uncomfortable amount of hot air being blown into the car, no matter what setting the system is on. In other cases, it can mean there is no air in the car, even if the system is set on “High.”
Honda Accord Climate Control Reset
To reset the climate control on a Honda Accord, turn the ignition to the ON position, press and hold the climate control power button for at least 5 seconds. This should initiate the system’s diagnostic mode, which can reset the climate control functions.
In some Honda Accord models, especially those with dual-zone climate control, you might need to follow a more detailed reset process. After initiating the diagnostic mode, wait for the display to show any error codes or complete its self-check. Once this is done, turn the ignition off, then start the car again. The climate control system should reset and begin operating normally. If the system has any persistent issues, they may be related to sensor or hardware malfunctions, which would require professional diagnosis and service.
The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Apr 2, 2021..
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KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Apr 2, 2021 and last updated on .