Air Conditioning Compressor
 

I have 65K miles and the ocmpressor is bad. I nevr heard of a compressor going bad under 120K miles. I have been advised that this is an ongoing issue with Acuras since 2002. Does anyone else have this complaint.

no but common and highly contested issue in the CRV, wouldnt surprise me if its a shared part(s) between honda/acura. do a google search for Honda CRV compressor to see

Ironic you should post this issue as I was just about to start a new thread of how pleased I am with the RDX HVAC system. With the extreme heat we've had recently I am very impressed with its cooling abilities. The only other car I had with rather exceptional A/C abilities was, believe it or not, my 1988 Chevy Camaro. My 1994, 2002, and 2003 Acura’s were mediocre at best. The RDX is like a rolling ice box! :) I'm quite sensitive to the heat and having a good reliable HVAC system is extremely important to me. :wish:

i actually think it sucks. the 2nd gen CRV unit BLOWS IT AWAY. that is and has been the strongest HVAC ive had in any honda ive owned. Ridgeline is solid too. I find the RDX powerful enough but its not as cold and seems really pushed on high fan speeds. I also notice a significant loss of power when AC is on, especially at highway speeds, i click the AC the car almost lurches

Majority of cars when AC is on, the power of the car tends to decrease.
Excessive use of fuel?

The fan speed on mine seems to have a mind of its own. It tends to vary in intensity way too much at times it seems; high low high higher low,ect. Sometimes an uncharacteristic hum can be heard from the motor. Probably happends 75% of the time.
I'm yet to do the self diagnostic check on it though - just to lazy i guess.

yes def, a trait not entirely of just an RDX

Are you using the auto setting or just manually turning the A/C by pressing the A/C button? Mine gets MUCH colder using auto mode that even with the car sitting in direct sun for hours with 90+ degree temps the auto mode cools the interior amazingly fast and cold to the point I have to turn it down after just a few minutes of driving. Manually turning on the A/C doesn't quite get as cold or aggressive cooling as auto mode. PS. you can set the temp to "Lo" which is below 58 degrees! Burr...

As for power, all A/C systems are going to take away from the engine output. Just a matter of fact. I don't think it's that big of a deal so as to ride in comfort.

i find honda/acura HVAC units more noticeable when ON than other manufacturers in terms of power loss - sometimes i shut the thing off when i need to nail it on the highway

i rarely use auto mode if ever, my temp stays ONLY on LO, i mean if u want to be cold doesnt really make sense to leave it on 67

the RDX cooling is definitely adequate i just dont find it really impressive compared to some other models thats all

It is only OK. I noticed the 2010 I had as a loaner seemed to be more effective.

I think the system in the 2008 works great. I never have it on Auto and use the Dual Zone quite often with my wife in the car. Just like Carbon2008 I usually keep mine on low at around 68 and it's perfect. Cools down the car nice and fast.

I have no problem with the system on my '09 as far as cooling is concerned. Use the Auto and Dual Zone set a 67 most of the summer so far.

man 67 huh - either mine isnt blowing cool enough but i doubt thats the case or im just hotter than all of you lol

Mine is set to 68 and recirculate ac :p

cooling off
 

Got 40k plus on my 2007 and i think that the AC in the RDX is exceptional especially since its a 4 cylinder...

my only grip with the ac is the lack of rents for rear passengers wish it sould have had the vents in the armrest for the rear passengers but then center counsel wouldnt be as deep...

Anyone with a blown compressor should read the threads on the 1G TSX side. :whyme:

The 2004 has a high failure rate and costs a fortune to fix. My compressor hasn't failed yet (knock on wood), but I've had to replace an A/C relay twice.

Compressors, relays, and the expansion valve (see "whoop sound") seem to be weak points in the A/C system for 2004 models.

I have absolutely no complaints about my A/C's function, but am always afraid the compressor is going to blow.

I need to clean my coil im starting to get a funky smell. hard to describe I would equate to a humid smell. may just be the drain.

My ac compressor went out on me just this Saturday. I heard this loud whooshing sound (like when you deflate your tires) and then it was a matter of seconds before there was no cold air. Went to the dealer yesterday and they said there was a leak in the compressor. The service guy said that this is the first RDX that needed to have an ac compressor replaced so this is not a normal problem. Right now there is a backorder on the part and the wait time is between 1-2 weeks.

Having the same problem at 60K, my mechanic was really surprised that it would cause a problem this early. Are there others????

The ac compressor went out on my 2010 RDX at 9,200 miles. It was punctured by a small piece of road debris. Since when does road debris puncture a compressor. Anyone else heard of this? Seems like a bad design to me.

I'm very happy to just use Auto on my 08 RDX. Seems to work fine for me. I set it at 70.

I also use Auto on my 99 TL. The only difference I've noticed between the two cars is that the RDX prefers to stay on Recirculate longer than the TL.

2008 RDX compressor done
 

Just found out today my compressor is broken in my 2008 RDX. It will intermittently blow cold air, and then lose control and start passing on the ambient air from outside. I've also noticed a musty smell when this happens. They tried to repair it first, no go. I've got 93k miles and this is the first major problem I've had.

I was told that the problem is only with the compressor, but the warranty specifications for the compressor require full replacement of the evaporator and condensor as well. Total price: $1400-$1500. The AC would then be warrantied for 1 year.

I was given the option to replace only the compressor and the price would be around $900-$1000, but they could not warranty it.

My repairmen has always been reliable and honest, but does this sound right?

I just had new compressor, condenser, and evaporator installed...a week later...it was working ok....never really got as cold as it did before it broke but now same issue all of a sudden...clutch will not engage. grrrrrrrrrr....back to dealer it goes. 120K miles on it and still love it....wish it was fixed and not 100 degrees out!

You'd be right to bet on that one... I sniffed it out for ya.:thumbsup::sniff:

07-09 Honda CRV PN: 38810-RZY-A01
07-09 Acura RDX PN: 38810-RZY-A01

They are the same :hug:
sources:
Honda click here
Acura click here

Wow, something piercing the cast metal body of the Compressor. DRAMA SELLS SERVICE, clearly! :annoyed:

I had no interest in this until today.
Went in to ACURA:ugh: to get the AC serviced and the "Unit" was leaking somewhere. Wouldn't hold pressure, during and after recharge. (no proof they did it either) Told me it'd cost me $1200+ to replace. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I'll be replacing the AC compressor. Mine quit working, not that I want to do it, but it needs to be replaced.

I hate service squids.... DIY coming up, possibly, if someone doesn't beat me to it. This is the kind of work I like to do too. I feel for the people that take it in and are at the mercy of service and or GM of said dealership.

It'd be a warm up for my long waited engine install. :beetroot:

Well, I've been cranking my A/C in my 2008 RDX full blast so far this summer and it continues to work awesome! Will cool a 100 degree interior to a chilly comfort level literally within 2-3 minutes. With that said, the A/C works best when the car is moving. All in all, still very satisfied.

On the flip side, in the deep of winter with single digit temps it heats just as well! Love my RDX HVAC.

I notice low presure side valve cores stem was leaking freon. I changed high and low side valve cores stem and Vacuum Pump charged system back.
Work great soon as you start the A/C.

Well I got proof now. The nut that holds the compressor Flywheel(more acurately named the ARMATURE PLATE) to the rotor pulley was loose enough to twist off by a finger. This nut cannot back off from rotation and had to be loosened at the dealer and the only way to access it was with "special" tools @ low torq 17.6 N-m(13#s per ft.)

Further re-enforces my perception of dealership service.

Symtoms:
AC cools, and then after 5 -10 minutes shuts off w/ 95+ degree temps. AC will comeback on when vehicle sits for a while(hours) and quit again when the temps comeback up. AC clutch clicking sound that accompanies normal engagement, with AC compressor and armature plate "freewheeling."

Another symtom is while the AC is blowing for a while adjust controls to off and wait a minute. Turned the AC back on and see if AC is back, it doesn't return.

Testing:
AC works fine until the engine is hot. No compressor issues. Cooling fans work so no fan relay problems. AC relay works tested with the clicking sound.
Tested for leaks by a qualified honda technician. Lastly all that was left was the Field Coil(clutch coil), air gap at pulley= .020inch, match book flap.

Previous statement said there was a leak, my buddy at Honda said no it was not the case.

Diagnosis:
I have a burnt up field coil (AC Clutch) PN: 38924-RWC-A01 at the dealership, and may be instock.

Besides what the Acura Dealership tells you DON'T replace a item that isnt broke. While trying to fix the problem If they brake it, they buy it.. Anyway, they more than likely service will tell you that the compressor and pulley are a packaged deal, just walk away. Tell 'em you not a retard!

BTW: Honda/Acura REman parts are excellent qaulity if a compressor is really shot. Preludes compressor is super duper old and freezes hell over.

Look out for DIY

I have 65,000 on my 2008 RDX and am taking it in next week - blows but won't cool - tech thinks it may be compressor. Guess we'll see.

AC compressor gone out
 

I have the same exact problem. I'm at 87k miles. What was your final fix? Did you ever take it back to the dealer?

This is the same issue I have, on hot days A/C works for 5-10 minutes, and during that time blows really cold, but then turns to ambient air and only returns to cold if car sits for a long time and cools off.

How much is this repair at the dealer?

+1 bump for more information.

This A/C problem is apparently fairly common in the RDX's. I had the same issue everyone here is talking about and when i took it into the dealership, they diagnosed it as a faulty relay switch. the fix took just a few hours and cost $65.

AC is not working, clutch is not engaging
 

"I have a problem, AC was working, then I stop the car at the bank and start the car then Ac is not working. my clutch is not engaging. both fan are working. where can i Find the Relay K? I checked the fuse #20 and #36. Any other Fuse I need to check?"

Assuming that you mean the A/C clutch relay:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=890420

warranty was extended on the ac unit on the RDX. take it to the dealership.