2005 6MT w/178k. Well-maintained, but clearly driven a lot.

Had an intermittent SRS (airbag) warning light and a constant CEL that my code reader said was upstream O2. Took it to the dealer to get SRS diagnosed, and had them double-check the CEL. They replaced a seatbelt buckle and confirmed bad upstream O2. None of which is the point however.

Driving to the dealer with my 2 year old Thurs, I had to explain to him why the sunroof was closed (deadly pollen season here at the moment) even though it was a warm sunny day. Climate control on Auto (70°), AC blowing cold air, no worries...point is, I know it was working because I talked to my kid about it.

Starting the car in the parking lot at the dealer after service, the fan comes on at 100% and I see that the HVAC controls are now set to "Lo". Driving home, I notice the car idles terribly when the AC is engaged...droop to near stall, surge to 1500 to recover, repeat. I turned the AC on an off a couple times to confirm, made our (short) drive home and didn't think a whole lot of it (wife's car, I rarely drive...maybe it's always like this). Next day she calls me after driving to work to say AC is out.

Back to the dealer on Sat. AM...they keep the car all day and diagnose a bad compressor coil but recommend replacing compressor/condenser/lines at ~$2k. Haven't had my conversation with the service manager yet, but all I know is it worked on the way there, acted oddly on the way home, and didn't work the next day. The squids at the counter were very clear that there is just no way the AC failure is related to the diagnostics performed.

I've been doing a bit of reading over the weekend and see many, many '04s with compressor issues. '05 is better? The compressor seems to spin easily by hand, but the clutch just isn't engaging.

Surely the coil can be replaced separately? I see a thread in the TL section about exactly the same thing, and it looks fairly easy. With nearly 180k on the clock, I can't see replacing the compressor at this point, nor can I see much "goodwill" from Acura (or the dealer).

So, the questions are these:
1) is it at all possible that ham-handed ABS / CEL dignostics could have somehow fried the compressor coil?
2) is it worth spending the $$ for a 2nd (non-dealer) opinion?
3) is it replaceable a la carte? is the TL walkthrough similar enough to get me through it?
4) is it worth the aggravation to pursue "you caused it" with Acura?
5) finally, I don't have a service manual. Where is the compressor relay? I see them all in the underhood fuse box, but can't translate the in-lid icons to identify the actual one. Can I temporarily swap another one in as a test? Which one?

Thanks much!

 

The AC problems relate mostly to 2004 models. It is rare in 2005 models and newer in comparison to 2004 models.

Spend the money and get a second opinion. It does not have to be a dealer. Look to see if any shops around you specialize in your type of car.

Definitely have the relay switches checked. I believe the TSX has two AC relay switches. One is located in the engine compartment and maybe another one is located inside the passenger compartment in the fuse box next to the drivers lower left leg. If it is only the clutch that is not engaging this may definitely be relay related.

I have several questions:

1) Is your compressor intact or is part of it missing? 2004 models suffered from a grenading AC compressor where part of it fell off and then a "black oil" contaminated the entire system.

2) Are you the original owner of the car or did you buy your car used? If your bought your car used, how many miles did it have when you bought it?


3) I hope you dont have to to change compressor, but dont you think it is worth it to change compressor if it needs changing rather than spending 25000 to 30000 for a new car?

4) How do you feel about being able to get almost 180,000 miles on a compressor? I have driven several Honda products in my life. I love the cars but i have never been able to get more than 150,000 miles on AC compressor from any one of them. AC systems are under tremendous wear and tear. They have to operate in extremely hot conditions and under constant pressure from the refrigerant circulating thru the system.

 

There is a ground bolt (or screw) where the wire harness goes into the compressor. You may want to remove that bolt, clean up the bolt threads and the eyelet with a wire brush, then reconnect.

The problem may be as simple as a bad ground.

If you don't plan on DIY work, I would get a second opinion on the problem.

 

compressor is intact, original owner, southern car so corrosion (ie: bad ground) issues are uncommon...can certainly check.

sure, 180k is a great service life. my issue is primarily how/when the failure occurred, is there any dealer liability there, and is it worth pursuing?

got a bit more info. tech who diagnosed the coil issue says it looks like the front of the compressor (where the coil is) got very hot, says he saw 'scorched paint' (not sure i'd describe it that way). caused by coil failure, or something else?

2nd opinion scheduled. also contacting a master Honda tech re: related CR-V AC.