Okay, I thought I'd tell you guys to let you know what might be ahead of you.

If there's any system in a Honda that's recurrently bad / weak, it's the A/C system, or at least I have found so.

My problems with the A/C have started over 30hours ago. (Usually, A/C wear is defined in terms of hours of service, not mileage) I first started wondering about the cooling, I thought I had noticed it wasn't as efficient as it used to be. But then a few minutes later, I started shivering, so I dismissed it.

Then, 10 hours ago, I noticed that not only the A/C was having a hard time keeping the heat down inside the cabin with 5 people in, but it seemed as though the dual climate control wasn't functionning right. I thought, "hmm, I must be low in freon, gotta get it checked."

And yesterday morning, upon startup, clearly something was wrong. On the driver's side, the air was lukewarm, while on the passenger side it was a lot cooler. Well isn't that strange.

So I brought it over to the dealership immediately, and they put 2 guys on it. They didn't remember being faced with that sort of problem.

Finally, they ended up finding that the system was missing a good 10oz of R-134. So they filled it back up with some coloring and I'll be back in next Tuesday to find out where the leak is at. I could expect repairs anywhere between 50$ and 800$, depending on where the puncture is at.

I'll keep you guys posted. One thing is for sure though, I'm quite used to A/C problems, and it's always big money when repairs come up. The TSX will not be an exception it seems.

 

Would this not be covered under warranty?
How do you manage to keep track of AC hours?

 

No, A/C for some reason they obviously know is not covered under warranty. But anyway, my warranty is long gone, so it's not a question for me.

I don't really keep track of A/C service, but I do estimate it. The problems have started only about a week and a half ago, so it's not that hard to give out an estimate.

 

Between the two Hondas in the family there are a total of 19 years and 130k miles of wear and neither has needed any AC service. There's one thing that is a given in a Honda - the windshield fogs up real easy for which you need to use the AC more than usual.

 

Wow, you have over 50K miles on the car?

I'm surprised they supposedly don't cover A/C issues while under warranty. Sounds fishy...

 

I woudl've thought the same.

 

14 years with my Integra and going on 5 years with the Civic we haven't had any AC problems aside from the Integra vents smelling a bit (a blast of disinfectant into the vents below the windshield with fan on high seemed to solve the problem for a few months). So far the TSX has been trouble free.

just my two cents

 

Sorry to hear about your A/C problems...I was actually going to post a new topic regarding my A/C, but I'll add to yours.

Three weeks ago my A/C just stopped working. Nothing but hot air. Took it to the dealer and they determined that it need more refrigerant. Pumped it full and I drove away. One week later nothing but hot air blowing again. They had run a dye through it and determined that there was a leak in the compressor!

They are going to replace it under warranty, but the problem is, they don't have a spare TSX compressor part and told me it is on backorder. It's been in the shop for two weeks now...guess the compressor had to be shipped from Japan???

Thankfully I do have a TSX loaner but I miss MY car. I have 30K on my car and was VERY surprised to know that the compressor was defective...

 

he's got over 100,000KM

 

Its the same compressor as an 04 Accord, WTF. Hope they gave you a loaner.

 

Actually, I didn't ask about it since I'm out of a warranty, but I thought I had seen a post about this here a while ago.

 

It would make too much sense for an Acura dealer to be putting in Honda parts into a TSX.
Read the last line, he got a loaner.

 

So it's the compressor that's leaking through the seals, just like pdjjr. Only in my case it's not covered under warranty, though I will try and get a goodwill warranty on that since wear on an AC system is usually considered in terms of time, not mileage.

I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, I'm getting it re-filled and I'll see if it lasts for my complete vacation.

 

Love my TSX....17,000 miles and the same thing happened to me. First the drivers side A/C started blowing hot air then the passenger side followed. Figures it happens on the hottest week of the year.

Went to Acura Service and I have a hole in the Condenser. They are covering it under warranty but have told me that it is NOT covered because it was probably caused by road debris..

Road debris??? Why would Acura put the A/C condenser where it could be easily damaged?

 

All the cars I know of have the condenser up front, and a puncture is a reality we all must deal with if it happens, just like you'd deal with a rock smashing your windshield. If you want, you may try your luck with insurance and get it covered under road hazards.

 

well, I finally got my car back today! It had been in the shop since August 16th. Today is September 7th? That's a long time for a compressor...but good news is, my A/C feels colder than I can ever remember. Freezing cold.

Let's hope it stays that way!

All under warranty. No charge.

 

I have the same problem, found out today, ugh. No ETA on when the compressor will be in town. Did they front you the loaner for the entire time?

 

Haha, no. I had to wait for 7 months. I would have added 50,000 km to their loaner.

 

I noticed a few days ago it was getting warm in the cabin. Did a little bit of research and found when I tried to engage my AC the fans would come on but the compressor didn't activate. My first thought was that it was low on fluid even though it's a 2004 model...and it is currently March 2006. Seems a bit early to be needing anything. The dealership ($40 later) confirmed my suspicions that the car was in need of fluid. (There is a sensor that deactivates the compressor in a low pressure situation to keep it from being damaged). I am not sure if my condensor has a hole or if it just gradually leaked out over the past 2 years. I'll have it serviced and post again if it turns out to be anything more than a simple fluid recharge.

 

I had my doubts about being low on fluid because if it had leaked due to some type of damage from road debris there would be an oily mess in that area. (there was not) I decided to investigate further so I bought a can of R-134a and a manifold gauge to measure/recharge my AC system. I attached the manifold gauge to the high and low sides of the AC system and found that both sides had 60psi with the engine not running. The compressor would not engage with the engine running and climate control set to full A/C. (pressure would still read 60psi high/low) I determined the system had a full charge of R-134a and that the dealership was wrong. Don't ask me how they could make this mistake...your guess is a good as mine. I went back to the dealership and told them what I found. They took another look at the car and found a bad A/C clutch relay ($4 part) and it took them about 5 minutes to replace. (another $40 charge). So my experience cost me a $40 labor charge for a mis-diagnosis, $50 to purchase a manifold gauge to prove the acura service department wrong, and a $40 charge in labor to replace the $4 relay that took a few minutes to replace. Total $134 At least I have cold AC now Why pay $40 to have the dealership replace a simple relay you ask? Stress....since they didn't have the part on hand and had to snag one from a new car on the lot...and wouldn't sell me the part they took off the new car) Now I understand why people use the term "Stealership" in the forum!

 

Great post. Congrats on troubleshooting the issue yourself.